To maintain healthier feet and ankles you should visit your foot doctor or podiatrist at least once every year. However, you might need to see the doctor more often if you are dealing with a foot condition. The board certified foot doctors at Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, AZ, can determine how often you should be seen, as well as make individualized footcare recommendations based on your unique foot structure and gait to help you maintain healthy feet and prevent problems.
Annual Foot Exams
Individuals with healthy feet should schedule a general foot exam and checkup with a foot doctor once a year. Seeing a podiatrist regularly can help you keep your feet healthy and prevent a foot condition from developing. Foot doctors can identify minor issues that could lead to more serious problems down the road so steps can be taken early on to prevent problems from developing.
During an annual foot exam the doctor will examine both feet and ankles. The podiatrist looks for several things, including signs of problems with the skin or toenails. It is important to identify and treat symptoms such as cracked skin, blisters, or a fungal infection promptly to prevent more serious problems.
In addition to checking the skin and nails on your feet, the doctor will also examine your foot structure, foot function, and range of motion. This could involve gently moving your feet around in different ways and observing how you walk. These observations assist the doctor in assessing your risk of developing any foot problems so preventative steps can be taken.
Signs You Should See a Foot Doctor
It is always best to see a podiatrist right away if you sustain a foot or ankle injury, are experiencing persistent pain and discomfort, or have developed new symptoms. The doctor can diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Even if you the issue seems minor, it is beneficial to see a doctor to ensure proper healing and prevent long term complications.
Some signs you should see one of the skilled foot doctors at our practice in Chandler, AZ, soon include:
- Ankle sprain
- Foot fracture
- Chronic heel pain
- Pain, swelling, tenderness, or redness
- Pain or other symptoms that have persisted for two weeks or more
- Peeling, scaling or cracking of the skin on the heels
- Discharge from an area of the foot
- Changes in the skin or toenails
- Blisters on the feet
- Toenail fungus
Podiatry Services
Our foot doctors provide a broad range of footcare services at our office in Chandler, AZ, including diabetic foot care and custom orthotics. Some of the conditions we diagnose and treat include:
- Bunions
- Heel spurs
- Hammertoe
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis in the feet or ankles
- Ruptured Achilles
- Fungal infections
- Ingrown toenails
- Foot warts
- Flat feet
- Gout
Visit your podiatrist once a year or as often as directed if being treated for an injury or foot condition. Schedule an appointment with an experienced foot doctor by calling Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, AZ, at (480) 732-0033.
