What is a Foot Clinic?
The purpose of a foot clinic is to provide foot and ankle care that will allow you to get back on your feet and return to pain free activity as soon as possible. There are many different types of foot clinics. Most will deal with a variety of different foot conditions in a variety of different ways. Some conditions dealt with in a typical foot clinic are:
- Ankle injuries
- Calluses and corns
- Plantar fasciitis
- Flat feet or high arched feet
- Stress fractures
- Arthritis
- Morton’s neuroma
- Ingrown toenails
- Shin splints
- Soft tissue masses
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Injections for conditions of the nerves, ligaments, tendons or fascia
- Debridement of ulcers
- Skin rashes and growths
- Foot diseases such as diabetes and gout
What Can I Expect When Visiting a Foot Clinic?
At a foot clinic, a pedorthist, podiatrist or chiropodist, sports medicine specialist, physiotherapist, or orthopedic surgeon will take a look at your feet, diagnose your problem and discuss treatment options with you. Various techniques may be used to assess your injury. An x-ray may be used to determine if there are any bone injuries. Bone scans, computed tomography, ultrasounds or MRIs may be ordered if required.
What Treatments May Be Offered by Foot Clinics?
Treatment at a foot clinic will vary depending upon your problem and the care giver. It may include simply rest, immobilization, shoe selection, stretching exercises, heel cups, metatarsal cushions, injections, surgery, arch supports, or other forms of treatment.
Foot orthotics (Arch Supports), which are specially designed insoles you wear in your shoes, will be prescribed for various biomechanical problems. These are designed to control abnormal foot function and help ease pain. Custom orthotics are designed specifically for your feet and will address your specific needs, while over-the-counter orthotics are mass produced, but can be customized to a certain extent according to the problem and the foot type.
In some cases surgical treatment may be required for some tendon tears, fractures or ligament repair. Surgery will in most cases be completed at a hospital.
Foot Clinics and Rehabilitation
Often doctors and professionals at a foot clinic will have a rehabilitation process for you to follow and will guide you along the way. Sometimes a physical therapist may be required. Your foot clinic may have physical therapists on hand, or the doctors or podiatrists at the foot clinic may be able to refer you to someone they recommend. Your foot clinic may also educate you to help prevent further foot injuries.
How Do I Find a Foot Clinic?
To find a foot clinic in your area, talk to your doctor, look in the yellow pages or check online. Check the qualifications of the person you are going to see. Some areas may not have a specific foot clinic, but you may be able to schedule an appointment with a local pedorthist, podiatrist, or physical therapist in his or her own office.
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