McKinney Texas Foot and Ankle Specialist

What Can a Podiatrist Do About Foot Pain?
Let’s start at the beginning and answer the question, “What is a Podiatrist?”
A podiatrist is a specialist who focuses on your feet and ankles. We are quite simply “The Experts” on your feet and ankles and should be the very first doctor you call when you experience pain or other problems with them. I’ve listed many of the foot problems podiatrists treat in this book.
The DPM after our name stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Most people know that podiatrists deal with foot and ankle problems and work with seniors, or diabetics, or people with poor circulation; but what most people don’t know is that podiatrists treat patients of all ages. A podiatrist is also well-qualified to help children and young adults with the problems that they can experience with their feet and ankles.
Podiatrists are required, just like any other doctor, to be licensed by the state in which they practice. When medically necessary, podiatrists can perform surgery to correct or remedy problems. Before we recommend surgery, we will explore the many conservative therapies and remedies that are available for our patients and then recommend the very best course of treatment. As medical science advances and new therapies become available to the public, podiatrists are increasingly able to offer their patients some of the most state-of-the-art care available. I’m constantly amazed at the new therapies I can offer my patients and will discuss several of them now.
Conservative Foot Care
Also known as non-surgical treatment, conservative foot care is being used to treat many foot problems with dramatic results. Any initial visit to a podiatrist’s office will start with a patient history and physical examination. Diagnostic x-rays and laboratory tests can also be used to help determine the best course of treatment.
Non-surgical treatments may be called for in many cases including medical conditions which preclude the option of elective surgery, time commitment constraints, and elderly patients with many medical conditions. Patients with arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory foot problems may all be helped by non-surgical treatments. In spite of not being able to opt for foot surgery many patients find great relief from pain and discomfort through the use of conservative foot care treatments.
There are a wide variety of non-surgical treatments being used by podiatrists today. Injections, oral and topical medications, and foot, ankle, or toe strappings are all examples of conservative foot care. Other options are exercise, custom-made walking shoes, and orthotics. Additional treatments prescribed by podiatrists include physical therapy, foot massage, trimming of corns and calluses, and proper nail trimming and foot care. Visit our website at http://www.mckinneyfootcenter.com/.
Dr. Silvers is a board certified foot and ankle physician practicing in McKinney, Texas.