Foot pain, foot wounds, foot problems of any sort can be incredibly painful. Strangely, when foot problems begin they often seem like a small nuisance and they are easy to ignore. Over time the foot problems escalate and before you know it your feet can be in serious trouble. So when should you call the foot doctor?
Find a podiatrist
If you are diabetic you should be seeing a podiatrist at least once a year to have your feet checked. One of the best ways to prevent foot problems is practicing regular foot care, including seeing a podiatrist. If you don’t have a podiatrist near you, speak with your regular physician for a referral.
Once you have an established relationship with a podiatrist keep their number on speed dial. If you develop any foot wounds, notice changes in your toenails or feet, experience foot pain or notice a lack of feeling in your feet, call your foot doctor immediately.
Don’t delay, call the foot doctor today
If you have Charcot Foot it is important to never delay in treating foot problems. Letting what seems like a small problem go can lead to complications. Those complications can lead to deformity and even amputation. Jennifer, who shared her Charcot Foot experience with us in a previous post, says a close call with a foot wound reinforced to her the importance of calling her podiatrist at the first sign of problems.
Jennifer was wearing AFO braces at the time and noticed a bump on her foot. It was red and hard but had a darker center. She was planning to leave the state on a trip but was concerned by the wound. She thought about delaying and calling her foot doctor when she returned from the trip but reconsidered.
“I canceled the trip and went in,” Jennifer said. “My podiatrist opened it up and drained it. It was a blister with a callus over it. We treated it with antibiotics and kept it clean and it healed right up. I asked him if I could have waited to come in after the trip. He said if I would have it would have developed into a full blown ulcer.”
It is always better to call the doctor at the first sign of foot problems. Worst case scenario is a trip to the doctor for something minor. Most likely, a visit to the doctor will prevent a more serious complication down the road.
Reasons to call the foot doctor
There are many reasons you should contact your foot doctor, here are some common reasons you should place a call to your doctor.
- Loss of sensation in the feet
- Pain or numbness of any kind
- Wounds on the feet
- Blisters
- Calluses
- Swelling
- Redness
- Difficulty walking
- Bony protrusions
- New fractures
- Loss of toenails
Remember, if you experience any changes or concerns with your feet you should contact your doctor. Even changes that are not included on the above list.
Regular foot care
Regular foot care will help prevent additional foot problems. When you have Charcot Foot it is important to check your feet each day. You should look for any new wounds and increased swelling or redness. It is a good idea to apply lotion each day to prevent dry skin and keep the skin moisturized. Atrac-Tain Superior Moisturizing Cream is our favorite. It keeps the skin hydrated and prevents wounds from developing as a result of dry skin.
In an effort to protect the feet you should never walk barefoot or without shoes. Make it a point to keep your feet protected to avoid further injury. Due to neuropathy you may not feel wounds developing so it is important to protect your feet and check them daily for injury.
Always remember to protect your feet, check them for wounds and call the foot doctor at the first sign of problems!