Which Are the Common Conditions Encountered in Routine Podiatry Appointments?
1. Corns and Calluses: Calluses are areas of thickened or hardened skin on the foot that develop due to friction or pressure. Corns are callus growths that develop on the top of the toes due to irritation. The symptoms include pain on pressure in the area, white rubbery skin bumps, etc.
2. Ingrown Toenail: The condition in which the toenail grows into the skin around it is an ingrowing toenail. It is also referred to as onychocryptosis. The skin may get damaged, resulting in pain and infection. It mostly affects the big toenails. The condition is most prevalent in young males and accounts for 20 percent of foot issues in primary care. Footwear, improper nail trimming, foot hygiene, genetic predisposition, repetitive trauma, etc., can contribute to the condition.
Ingrown toenails, if untreated, progress, and the toes become more painful, affecting the individual’s functional ability.
3. Foot Problems Associated With Diabetes: Those with diabetes have a greater chance of developing foot problems. The increased risk is due to:
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Poor wound healing is due to impaired circulation.
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Due to nerve damage, the affected people lose sensation in their feet.
Therefore, the affected person should regularly check their feet for blisters, cuts, bruises, or injuries. Uncontrolled diabetes can result in diabetic foot ulcers.
4. Friction Blisters: These are painful lesions that develop due to the use of ill-fitting footwear. These are usually seen in the toes and heel regions. It mostly heals on its own once the source of irritation is removed.
5. Bunions: Bunions are painful bony projections at the base of the big toe joint that develop when the big toes lean towards the remaining toes. It is more prevalent in women. Pain can occur in the bony projection due to shoe irritation and the alteration of mechanical forces on the ball of the feet. Individuals born with an abnormal bone alignment in their foot have a higher chance of developing a bunion. The condition can run in families. The symptoms are mostly seen at later stages, while the disease may be asymptomatic in some.
6. Fungal Nail Infection: Fungal infection of the toenails results in thickened, yellow-colored cracked toenails, a condition referred to as onychomycosis.
7. Skin Conditions In the Foot:
These include:
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Plantar Warts - These are hardened skin growths that mostly occur at the heel part of the foot. Warts occur due to viral infection.
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Athletes Foot - The condition is characterized by skin scales or fissures that are itchy and red, mostly present between the toes. It is contagious and chronic, with frequent recurrences.
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Pitted Keratolysis - A bacterial skin infection affecting the soles of the feet that can result in malodor.
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Dyshidrotic Eczema - Small fluid-filled blisters that spread throughout the feet.
8. Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fascia is the connective tissue band that extends itself from the heel bone to the base of the toes in the plantar surface of the foot. The inflammation of the plantar fascia is termed as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs due to an overuse injury of the plantar foot surface and is characterized by heel pain. The condition is commonly seen in young runners and middle-aged individuals who are overweight.
9. Foot Injury and Trauma: Routine foot care may aid in diagnosing physical trauma and foot injuries.
What Are the Goals of Routine Foot Care?
The goals of foot care are:
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Maintenance of skin integrity.
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Keep the skin moisturized.
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Maintain foot hygiene.
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Keep nails at the appropriate length (not too long or short).
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Reduce the risk of infections, injuries, and complications.
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To improve the patient’s self-esteem.
What Are the Services That Come Under Routine Foot Care?
Routine foot care is important, especially for diabetic patients and the elderly, as it is difficult for them to care for their feet properly. Foot problems can affect the adjacent joints, bones, skin, muscles, ligaments, and other body parts.
The following are covered in routine podiatric care:
1. A complete review of medications and the patient’s medical history.
2. A complete foot health assessment. The physical characteristics that podiatrists examine are:
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Feet discoloration.
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Skin texture.
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Abnormal growth.
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The temperature of the foot.
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Change in shape.
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Cracks or abrasions.
3. Corns and hardened skin are removed gently.
4. The nails are trimmed and filed.
5. Nail debridement (significant reduction in coarseness, thickness, and length of toenail) in cases of fungal nail infection.
6. Cleaning the feet.
7. Treatment completion is achieved by the application of a foot moisturizer.
8. Foot or rehabilitative massage improves circulation, promotes healing, and reduces pain and inflammation.
9. Treatment of common foot problems that do not require surgical correction.
10. Based on the assessment, the podiatrist provides a treatment plan and instructions on keeping the feet healthy.
11. Footwear recommendations will be made by the podiatrist if necessary.
12. In the case of diabetic patients, podiatrists conduct a non-invasive examination to assess circulation and sensations. The podiatrists will further examine the skin and nails for any abnormalities in such patients.
13. Provide foot care education.
When Should One Visit a Podiatrist?
Those with medical conditions that affect the foot, like diabetes and the elderly, should undergo routine foot care regularly. A once-a-year visit to a podiatrist is recommended for normal individuals who practice good foot hygiene and foot care.
One should visit a podiatrist if one presents with the following symptoms:
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An abnormal change in color or shape of the foot.
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Ulcers, sores, or abscesses on the feet.
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Foot conditions that recur.
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Sudden swelling and pain in the feet.
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Numbness in the ankle or feet.
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Difficulty in using regular footwear.
How Long Does a Routine Podiatric Appointment Take?
A routine podiatric appointment is usually completed in half an hour.
Conclusion
Foot health is not just confined to the foot; it can also indicate overall health. Moreover, poor foot health can even emotionally and psychologically impact one. Routine foot care is extremely important in ones with systemic conditions like diabetes, as these increase the risk for foot problems. Routine care is also important for old-aged as they cannot properly care for their foot.
