When to Consult a Podiatrist?

The podiatrist has a paramedical function – he/she treats the foot and its deformities.
He provides care for foot or toenail conditions, on medical prescription. He is also entitled to provide non-prescription care, but they are not reimbursed by Social Security.

The profession of podiatrist has two aspects:

• pedicure care;
• podiatry care.

Note: the pedicure-podiatrist may be called upon to intervene in many areas (e. g. sport), particularly during the necessary monitoring of certain high-risk athletes.

Pedicure Care

The pedicure-podologist is responsible for monitoring superficial foot problems, this is the part called pedicure. He must then diagnose and treat all skin disorders as:

• horns and calluses;
• fungal infections;
• warts.

Podiatry Care

The podologist can also treat more serious pathologies and foot deformities:

whether they are of hereditary origins such as clubfoot or hollow feet;

that they appear following an accident such as hallux rigidus;

whether they have developed due to poor posture or the wearing of unsuitable shoes such as claw toes.

To remedy these conditions, the podiatrist has several solutions:

• manufacture of plantar orthotics or orthopaedic shoes;
• the installation of foot splints or night restraints;
• nail straightening (or orthonyxia) and repair with onychoplasty.

Main Category of People Who Are Concerned

The podiatrist works with a diverse audience. However, foot monitoring should be more regular in:

• diabetics, whose foot disorders can lead to disabling complications;
• arteritics, for the same reasons,
• athletes;
• the elderly;
• young children

When to Consult a Podiatrist?

Don’t wait until it hurts to push the door of a podiatrist! The appearance of discomfort during walking should automatically lead you to consult one. He will thus be able to prevent the arrival of corns, ingrown nails or deformities.

As a preventive measure, it is advisable to consult a podiatrist at least once a year, even if you do not feel any discomfort or pain. The podiatrist will thus be able to detect the slightest problem beforehand.

Note: Children and teenagers spend more time running and playing around and they are more prone to foot-related injuries. Therefore, it is advisable to visit a podiatrist twice a year. You can bring your children at any age, even baby. If you are in Melbourne, My Podiatrist is a good clinic offering a broad range of innovative foot care options such as Shockwave Therapy, Laser Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, PACT Fungal Nail Therapy, Myotherapy massage, amongst others.