Generally, foot pain is not a condition that requires treatment, and can easily be addressed by soaking the feet or simply resting them. If you are experiencing serious foot pain that is not going away on its own, you should see a podiatrist.

A podiatrist is a physician who is licensed and specially trained in treating ailments and afflictions of the feet, ankles and lower portion of the legs. When you can’t manage your foot pain and discomfort yourself, podiatrists are waiting to help you.

There are many ailments affecting the feet which can make life uncomfortable or even be debilitating if not properly treated. Most commonly seen are bunions and corns which are not usually serious if treated promptly.

If left untreated, plantar warts can harden and make it difficult to walk. Podiatrists can use medication to lessen the pain and remove plantar warts, and in less common instances, laser surgery to remove the wart might be indicated.

Podiatrists treat ingrown toenails that affects all age groups. Fungal infections of the toenail is another common condition that podiatrists are seen for.

Tendinitis is often seen in runners or those who participate in sports which require standing or walking for long periods of time. The Achilles tendon is the particular area usually affected by this condition.

Another painful condition which brings patients to the podiatrist’s office is a heel spur. A podiatrist can usually diagnose this through a simple x-ray.

A sprained ankle can usually be treated at home without the need for a doctor, but occasionally the sprain might result in torn ligaments. Ligament damage will typically require further treatment, so the podiatrist can recommend a course of action, for example compression and ice, or painkillers if necessary.

When discomfort or pain cannot be resolved by home treatment, a podiatrist can help. Finding a qualified specialist is as simple as contacting the American Podiatric Medical Association, asking for a reference from a primary care physician, or searching the internet.

The Chesapeake Podiatry Group specializes in eliminating foot pain. With two offices in the Baltimore area, the focus of Chesapeake Podiatry is eliminating foot pain Baltimore – a Baltimore podiatrist with broad experience treating foot problems of many types.