When you visit the East Ivanhoe podiatry office, it is usually due to a sudden foot problem or foot injury. When you see the podiatrist for the first time, they will give you a form to fill out with your medical history. It will ask you about any medical conditions you have, what medications you are taking, what problem brought you to their office, and when it started. You will also be asked about your family medical history.
When the podiatrist at the Ivanhoe Podiatry Centre enters the exam room, they will ask you what problems you are having and how long you have had them. This is when your doctor will start their exam to find out the cause for your issue and what the treatment plan should be. During the examination, the podiatrist will look at your feet to see if you have issues like warts, corns, fungus, or bunions. If you are a diabetic, they will check your feet extra carefully to make sure there are no small cuts that could become infected and cause serious issues.
The East Ivanhoe podiatry doctor will also check your toenails to see if there is a brittleness or signs of discoloration. If after checking your feet, they feel that further testing is needed, they may order tests, such as imaging scans. These scans can include a bone scan, ultrasound, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look for any blood vessel narrowing or blockage, or structural issues.
They may also have blood work ordered to check for medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or other medical conditions that could be causing your foot pain. If it appears as if you might have an infection, the podiatrist may collect a sample to send to the lab to see what type of infection it is. They may also give you a prescription for an antibiotic.
Once they know what the issue is, the podiatrist working at Ivanhoe Podiatry Centre will figure out a treatment plan. If the foot pain or issue is due to you being very overweight, they may suggest that you lose weight by altering your diet and exercising more. When you lose weight you are going to relieve the extra pressure on your feet. If it is a fungal infection, you may be prescribed an oral or topical antifungal medication.
If the issue is fallen arches, they may recommend that you get orthotics to provide support. They may send you to a specialist who treats this condition if they do not have the orthotics in their office. If you have a cracked bone in your foot or if your weight is distributed to one side of your foot when you walk or stand, they may prescribe a boot to help with the issues.
Conclusion
If you have any issues with your feet such as ingrown toenails, bunions, or just foot pain, you should see a podiatrist find out the cause and treat it. If you are a diabetic, you should see a podiatrist regularly to avoid any serious issues with your feet.
