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If you experience pain in your feet, seeing a specialist can potentially provide relief from discomfort. A podiatrist is a physician and surgeon who treats conditions, illnesses, and injuries associated with the feet and heels. Here's what to look for as you search for a foot doctor in your area.

Training & Certification

A foot specialist with the appropriate educational background and credentials can provide you with effective treatment and peace of mind. A podiatrist should have undergraduate and medical school degrees, including a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), which demonstrates their knowledge of diagnosing and treating disorders, diseases, and injuries of the lower extremities. 

A DPM should also have certification from a nationally-recognized institution, such as the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, which proves they have passed exams that qualify them to perform foot surgery.

Services Provided

podiatrist

Make sure the podiatrist provides X-rays and laboratory tests to accurately diagnose your problem and ensure an effective course of treatment. If you have a fracture or sprain, you'll need a specialist who performs surgery to set the bone and correct the positions of tendons and ligaments. 

A foot doctor that offers rehabilitation to restore the function and movement of the feet can prevent the need to seek physical therapy separately. If you have a child with foot issues, make sure the doctor provides pediatric services. 

Conditions Treated

Since you may not know the cause of your foot problems, select a podiatrist that treats a variety of conditions. Problems with the toes may stem from ingrown nails, corns, or hammertoes, which are toe deformities caused by unbalanced tendon pulling. Pain on the bottoms of feet can occur due to plantar fasciitis, which is tissue inflammation caused by overstretching, while pain on the sides of feet may happen when bunions grow near the big toe and fill with fluid. 

If you have diabetes, you might experience neuropathy, which causes numbness and can make foot infections more likely. A specialist that treats all of these conditions can ensure you receive proper care. 

 

Experience relief from foot and heel pain with help from High Point Foot Center. This board-certified podiatrist provides diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as hammertoes, calluses, and heel spurs to clients throughout High Point, NC. Call (336) 882-2070 to book an appointment, and visit the website to find out how they can restore the function of your feet. 

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