Podiatrists are foot and ankle experts. Pretty much anything and everything that can go wrong with your feet or your ankles falls into a podiatrist’s line of work. From heel pain and ingrown toenails to diabetic foot problems and broken bones, if your feet hurt, a podiatrist can help. They are specially trained through years of medical schooling and residencies at hospitals to manage conditions, deformities, and injuries of the lower limbs.
For the vast majority of foot and ankle problems, this involves using noninvasive methods like orthotics, shoe changes, physical therapy, and more to correct issues and relieve pain. Occasionally treatments can involve surgery, but that’s usually considered a last resort—and podiatrists are trained to perform it so they’re part of every step of your recovery.
Age doesn’t matter, either. Many people develop foot issues after years of use; however, pain can strike at any time of your life. You could be a young, healthy athlete who twists her ankle on a run, or a middle-aged worker who stands all day at a job in retail. Even babies can be born with congenital foot deformities or develop issues as they learn to walk. A podiatrist can treat all of these problems.
The truth is that your feet shouldn’t hurt. Pain is a sign that something isn’t right. There’s usually a way to eliminate the problem through help from a foot and ankle specialist. Don’t just hope your discomfort will go away on its own, or believe there’s nothing you can do for it. Let your local lower limb expert Mitchell Wachtel, DPM help you today instead of living with pain. Contact our offices in North Andover, Lowell, or Haverhill for more information or an appointment. You can reach us online or by calling (978) 794-8406.