Should I See a Podiatrist for Foot Pain?

People who haven’t experienced severe or constant foot pain may not realize just how disruptive it can be to a person’s lifestyle. Yet, for one reason or another, many individuals try to ignore or put up with foot pain. The bad news here is that foot pain rarely –– if ever –– gets better over time. And trying to deal with foot pain by switching shoes or by wearing sleeves is rarely effective. If you’ve ever wondered, “should I see a podiatrist for foot pain?,” the answer is almost certainly, “yes!” That’s because a podiatrist can help you address and reverse foot pain in the most effective ways possible. We’ll explore this topic further here:

What is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) who specializes in treating conditions that affect the leg, ankles, feet, and all lower extremities. If you have any concerns with your feet or legs, then it’s best to speak to a podiatrist about the problem.

Should I Consult my Regular Doctor About Foot Pain?

If you’ve never had foot pain before, then you may be tempted to simply speak with your regular doctor about foot discomfort the next time you have a physical exam. This isn’t a terrible idea. However, it’s worth remembering that general practitioners may not have the specialized knowledge to effectively diagnose and treat foot pain. After all, foot pain can stem from a number of issues, including arthritis, bone spurs, bunions, and gout to name a few. Most of the time when you ask a general practitioner about foot pain, they’ll likely refer you to a podiatrist anyway. So going directly to a podiatrist will bring you that much closer to finding a solution to your issue. 

Why Choosing the Right Podiatrist Matters So Much

One might imagine that all podiatrists would use basically the same methods and techniques to manage foot pain for their patients. 

This is not the case. 

The reality is that many podiatrists still utilize traditional foot surgery to treat conditions like bunions or hammertoes. Unfortunately, these practices are distinctly outdated. You should avoid traditional foot surgery if possible. 

Minimally invasive procedures by contrast, provide the same level of treatment of more traditional methods, without many of the associated drawbacks. Indeed, individuals who opt for minimally invasive foot surgery instead of traditional foot surgery can expect:

• Substantially shorter recovery times.
• Less pain and discomfort during the surgery.
• Fewer scars and less pain after the surgery.
• To return to work and daily activities much more quickly.

To close on this point, keep in mind that individuals who choose minimally invasive surgery are often able to walk immediately after the procedure, while people who have traditional foot surgery may require weeks off their feet –– and months to fully recover.

Contact Us

There are a variety of different conditions that may seem relatively minor to treat but that still cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Of course, foot pain and discomfort can affect your quality of life and may even take a toll on your performance at work.

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through the pain. With the help of a podiatrist (DPM) at Northwest Surgery Center, you won’t have to spend days recovering in the hospital or out of work. With Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery, your bunions, heel spurs, or hammertoe issues can become things of the past.

If you have any concerns about these foot conditions, then come in and get a free consultation with one of our podiatrists. 

You don’t need to suffer from bunions, heel spurs, a hammertoe, or other foot problems, which could affect your quality of life any longer. Come in for a consultation today to start living life pain and hassle-free!