In this article, we will take a closer look at the work of a professional about whom people often have the wrong ideas. We are talking about the podiatrist, a doctor whose role is crucial for health.

Podiatrist: what is his job?

A podiatrist is a doctor who deals with foot disorders, whether they are painful or not. What pathologies does he or she treat? These include metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma and diabetic foot. Continuing with the list of pathologies treated by podiatrists, we find the vascular foot, as well as arthrosis of the foot, a much rarer condition than knee or hip arthrosis.

Also not to be forgotten is its importance in the treatment of conditions such as hammertoes and hallux valgus, not to mention pronator and supinator syndrome. How does a visit to the podiatrist work? Let’s find out in the following lines.

How a visit to the podiatrist works

When talking about a visit to the podiatrist, it is necessary to remember that everything starts with the anamnesis. It is fundamental for the doctor to have as much information as possible about the patient’s weight, work habits and attitude to sporting activity.

During the visit with the podiatrist, a very important step is, of course, for the professional to perform a palpation. The morphological examination is also important, as it gives the podiatrist a clear idea of the muscular and osteoarticular structure of the patient’s foot.

The podiatrist uses numerous instruments. These include the baropodometric platform, which is fundamental for measuring foot pressure. The latter is taken at various stages, especially when the patient is standing and when he or she is walking.

When talking about the details of the visit to the podiatrist, a due mention must be dedicated to the examination of the footwear. What does it involve? An analysis by the professional of the wear and tear on the shoe worn by the patient. At this stage, the podiatrist will also assess the suitability of any insoles the person is wearing.

When to see a podiatrist?

At this point, the question arises as to when it is best to consult a podiatrist. These include situations in which, mainly due to shoes that are too tight, you have to deal with the so-called partridge’s eye, a soft callosity between the toes. Also not to be overlooked is the fact that, especially during the summer season, the incidence of trauma to the toes and nails increases significantly. This list includes subungual haematomas, as well as detachment of the nail plate.

The podiatrist, by analysing the patient’s situation in depth, can also give advice on the best footwear to choose. This means focusing on aspects such as the size of the fit, not to mention the metatarsal width. The comfortable movement of the toes is one of the most important aspects to consider. Podiatrists recommend paying attention to the comfort of footwear at all ages. However, they recommend paying particular attention to this in older people. In old age, foot problems can cause major problems in terms of walking stability.