A podiatrist is one of the many names given to a physician specializing in treating foot and ankle disorders. Other similar specialized fields of medicine include podiatrist-oncologist, podiatrist-chair practitioner, podiatrist-chief surgeon, and podiatrists’ assistants. The word “podiatrist” came from the Greek word meaning “foot doctor.” Podiatry or podiatrist medicine is an area of medicine dedicated to studying, diagnosing, and treating various disorders of the feet, ankle, and lower limb. Some common disorders treated by a podiatrist include broken or brittle ankles, sprained and strained muscles, herniated discs, hammertoes, mallet toe, and dislocations.

The most common problems treated by a podiatrist at https://thesapodiatryclinic.com.au include fractures of the bones and tissue that support the bones in the joint. Among these problems are broken bones, fractured ankles, dislocated fingers and toes, sprained and strained muscles, herniated discs, hammertoes, mallet toe, and dislocations. While many of these conditions can be treated without surgery, some require surgery for the sake of prevention. Below are some examples of common injuries that a podiatrist treats.

Among the most common foot problems treated by a podiatrist is plantar fasciitis. This condition occurs when the fascia, a layer of tissue on the bottom of the feet, becomes inflamed. This can happen because of excessive stress caused by an uneven weight distribution or excessive wearing of shoes. First, a doctor performs a physical examination and takes the patient’s medical history. Then, they may order tests to determine the cause of the condition and find out the risk for a stress fracture.

Podiatrist Adelaide specialize in orthopedics, specifically in foot problems. Because orthopedic doctors treat such ailments as neuromuscular and musculoskeletal issues, they can perform diagnostic and therapeutic X-rays and MRIs. The chiropractor may also recommend physical therapy, prescribe exercise or suggest alternative treatments for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain. In addition, some chiropractors offer rehabilitation services and refer patients to physical therapists if necessary.

The doctor is also trained to examine the nerves and the spinal cord and diagnose spinal stenosis and related problems. They will check for muscle imbalance of function, tenderness, weakness, or abnormal foot pain. They will probably recommend massage, heat, ice, or both to help relieve the pain. In some cases, a podiatrist will prescribe orthotics to correct deformities and promote flexibility.

Finally, a podiatrist at https://thesapodiatryclinic.com.au can diagnose tendonitis, a chronic condition that causes inflammation around the tendons. It can also cause severe pain in the toes, ankles and hands, especially at night. Sometimes it comes from a tear in the tendons or bursae. A podiatrist can diagnose Achilles tendonitis by asking questions about the patient’s activities, mainly where there are sharp pains, loss of motion, or limited ability to move the toes. Other signs of tendonitis include thickening of the skin, tenderness and swelling of the joints, redness and warmth around the affected area, difficulty walking or standing, and the presence of small to medium bone chips around the tendon.