A podiatrist specialises in the overall health of the feet, ankles and lower leg. Podiatry overlaps a wide range of disciplines including sports medicine, paediatrics and gerontology (ageing).
Podiatrists can diagnose and treat conditions resulting from bone and joint disorders such as arthritis, injuries to the feet and lower limbs, and other sources of pain and immobility such as muscular, neurological and circulatory diseases. You don’t need a referral to visit a podiatrist.
Many foot problems begin in childhood. Little feet have their own development patterns and need to be watched carefully. Take your child to a podiatrist if you notice uneven shoe wear, any rashes or lumps, or if your child describes any pain or unusual clumsiness.
As we age, our feet naturally develop more problems. However, painful feet are not something we have to put up with as we get older. Foot health is even more important for our mobility and general health in our later years.