We do not wish to imply that any part of your body is unimportant. You probably don’t know where your pisiform bone even is, but you would prefer it to work well and be healthy all the same.
With that said, certain parts of your body are especially important. That’s why your general practitioner listens to your heartbeat during your annual physical each year. It’s why your wonderful dental hygienist should treat you to two wonderful teeth cleanings each year. It’s also why you should make a habit of visiting your podiatrist once annually.
Should You See a Podiatrist Even If You Don’t Have a Foot Condition?
Yes! Receiving annual checkups from a podiatrist is the best way to catch foot conditions early on. In addition to preserving your ability to walk without discomfort, early detection can greatly increase your odds of making a full recovery.
Many common foot problems are easier to treat while they’re still relatively new. If you have a minor case of claw foot, heel spur, plantar fasciitis or gout, then you’ll be far better off if your podiatrist diagnoses it tomorrow as opposed to three years from now.
Annual podiatry clinic visits are also important for early detection of skin cancer. You may already know the ABCDEs of melanoma: If a mole or other spot on your skin has asymmetry, an irregular border, varying shades of color, a large diameter, or is evolving in any of those attributes, then it needs to be seen by a dermatologist right away.
Melanoma of the foot often looks different than it does elsewhere on the body. It can appear as a sore which does not heal. It can look similar to a diabetic ulcer. It can appear as discolored vertical lines underneath the toenail as well. Don’t assume your feet are safe from skin cancer if you never expose them to sunlight. For people of certain ethnicities, melanoma most commonly occurs on the hands and feet.
How Often Should You See a Podiatrist If You Have a Foot Condition?
No information presented on this website takes precedence over your own healthcare professional’s advice. If your primary care doctor or foot specialist recommends bimonthly visits to the podiatry clinic, then that is precisely how often you should go.
With that in mind, people with chronic foot conditions should generally seek podiatric care more often than once annually. This is especially true of people who have diabetes, who constitute approximately 11.6% of the U.S. population. Depending on their individual symptoms, diabetics are usually advised to receive diabetic foot care every three to four months.
If one of the complications of your diabetes includes peripheral neuropathy, then we cannot overstate the importance of receiving regular podiatric care. Roughly half of diabetes patients experience this condition, which typically starts in the feet and legs before spreading to the upper extremities, and can include symptoms of tingling, numbness, burning, touch sensitivity, and muscle weakness. If your podiatrist detects signs of peripheral neuropathy early on, you can begin treatment and making lifestyle changes that prevent additional damage to your nervous system.
Schedule Your Visit to a Twin Cities Podiatry Clinic
If you’re ready to take a more active role in your foot health – and you live in the Twin Cities metro – don’t bother Googling “podiatrist clinic near me.” Dr. Timothy Felton and Dr. Judith Sperling are available to give you annual checkups at Twin Cities Foot & Ankle Clinic. Contact us today to book an appointment at our podiatry clinic in Golden Valley, MN!