If you were to ask anyone where they go when their foot hurts, they would answer the same thing—go home and rest their foot with an ice pack. However, this method does not work for all foot problems. It only works when you sprained your ankle. So, its swelling would not get worse, and your feet would hurt less. However, what should you do when your feet hurt for no reason? Well, other than taking a pain reliever, you should consider seeing a doctor. In this case, you would see a podiatrist. They are the ones who can access and make your feet better. To convince you more why you seek them, here is what a podiatristdoes.
Let us first discuss what they are.
What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specialises in treating foot and lower limb problems. Unlike medical doctors, they went through a specialised school to gain their skills and knowledge. That is the reason why they have DPM attracted to their names instead of MD. This suffix DPM stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Therefore, what they do is only related to foot and lower limb problems. They know how to prevent, correct and rehabilitate one’s feet. Other than that, they cannot do anything else.
To further know what they do, here are the conditions that they can treat.
- Fungal nail infections
- Bunions
- Corns and calluses
- Athlete’s foot
- Flat feet
- Heel pain
- Blisters
- Gout
- Dry feet
- Dislocate ankle
- Smelly feet
- Sport Injuries
Besides these conditions, a podiatrist can also do some surgery when it is medically necessary. To give you an example, here are the different surgical procedures they can do.
- Reconstruct broken bones
- Remove bunions and tumour
- Get rid of dead skin tissues
- Correct deformities such as hammertoes
How can a podiatrist help you?
They might not be a medical doctor, but a podiatristcan do a lot for you once you visit their podiatry clinic. Aside from giving you some medical advice, they can treat your painful feet, discoloured toenails, dry heels, etc. However, the way they treat foot problems depends on your foot condition. So, make sure when you consult a podiatrist, let them know honestly how your feet hurt. Remember, your answers can help them think of ways on how to make your feet feel better.
Are there any differences between podiatrist and chiropodist?
No, there is no difference between the two. Even if there is, what you can only find is that people these days often use podiatrist. As for chiropodist, people in the 1950s often use this word when they have foot problems. Nevertheless, they are synonyms of one another for a foot doctor.
What can you expect from your consultation with them?
They will do the same thing. First, a podiatrist will take a look at your medical history. Afterwards, they will run some tests like blood circulation and x-ray of your feet. Sometimes, they will also ask you to walk, run or hum around their office to see how mobile your feet are. If they find something unusual, they will let you know right away what treatment is suitable for your condition.
Your consultation with them may last from 30 minutes to one hour.
Can you seek a podiatrist privately?
Well, yes, you can. All you have to do is book an appointment with the podiatrist that you trust, and make sure to pay for their consultation and treatment afterwards.
Can a podiatrist visit you at home?
A podiatrist can do that, too, especially if you can go to their podiatry clinic in Singapore by yourself. This situation often happens to athletes who cannot stand on their own. So, if you were experiencing the same difficulties, do not hesitate to ask your podiatrist to visit you at your home.
How much does a private consultation cost?
Well, it depends on how far your place is and how experienced the podiatristis. So, before booking any private appointment, it would be a good idea to ask them upfront on how much you have to pay for them later on. It would help you have peace of mind when you undergo their consultation and treatment.
Does health insurance cost cover a podiatrist visit?
Most health insurance does cover routine visits with a podiatristas long as it is medically necessary. To find out whether you are eligible for their services, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your healthcare provider. That way, you would be able to get an estimate of what they cover and what you have to pay later on.
In most cases, health insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. This concern is the type of medical illness or injury you have before you were able to obtain your health insurance. So, what does most health insurance cover when it comes to podiatry? Well, the podiatry treatment they cover is foot problems related to vein inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. They also do cover custom insoles, but only offer limited service.
Do you have more questions in mind about what a podiatrist does? If that is the case, then you should visit a podiatry clinic in Singapore. Perhaps, consider booking an appointment with East Coast Podiatry. They have three branches where you can get your feet in check!
Visit their website today and find out how their podiatrist can help your feet get better!