It’s estimated that you will walk approximately 100,000 miles in your lifetime. If you want to do any of those miles you need your two feet and they need to be kept in good condition.
Integral to the survival of the human species, your ancient ancestors will have long known about the importance of proper foot care. Images found in Egyptian tombs dated approx. 2400BC show figures caring for the feet, and it was the great Greek Philosopher, Socrates, that is quoted as saying “To him whose feet hurt, everything hurts”, so it is safe to say that humans have been aware of the importance of proper foot care for a long time.
Fast forward to today and you have Podiatry, a branch of medicine that covers the study, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of ailments related to the foot and ankle. Find Podiatric services near you.
Although quite often overlooked, the importance of Podiatry cannot be overstated; you need your feet to stand, to walk and to run. Lose the ability to do any of the former and your quality of life can reduce dramatically. The financial cost of poor foot care must also be taken into account, as when you lose the ability to stand or to walk, you will likely require assistance in your everyday life, this assistance can be costly.
What does a Podiatrist do?
A Podiatrist is a Doctor that is specifically trained in all things related to the foot, ankle and lower leg. The foot is made up of 26 bones, 30 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons, so it is no surprise that a whole branch of medicine is dedicated to this part of the body. The work of a Podiatrist can vary dramatically. Below is a list of some of the common ailments that a Podiatrist treats:
- Fractures and sprains. A podiatrist helps with the treatment of common foot injuries, such as broken bones and muscle tears. They can also advise on rehabilitation techniques to assist with recovery.
- Diabetes. People that suffer from Diabetes can quite often suffer nerve damage in the legs and feet and can also have issues with circulation. Podiatrists will suggest preventive measures to try and prevent loss of limb function and even limb loss completely.
- Fungal infections. These can affect your skin and nails of the foot, athlete’s foot being a common example that is regularly treated by Podiatrists, especially if the problem is recurring.
- Ingrown Toenails. Causing a lot of pain and with the possibility of infection, ingrown toenails are when the nail grows at an irregular angle into the skin of the toe, instead of straight out.
- Corns and Calluses. Both of these conditions develop when your skin thickens and hardens in a specific area, usually as the result of too much pressure or friction. They can be treated or removed for both physical and aesthetic reasons.
- Deformations of the foot. Flat foot and hollow foot are both conditions that arise when the foot does not develop properly. Flat foot is when the arch in your foot has fallen in on itself, and hollow foot is when the arch is overly pronounced. Both are conditions that Podiatrists try to treat these deformations at a young age, when the bones are still developing.
The latest in Podiatry
The medical field of Podiatry, like all medical fields, is ever changing. With soaring investment in Healthcare Technologies, resulting in new advancements, and more research being conducted than ever before, the quality of Podiatric care has never been better. Take a look at some of the latest technologies in Podiatric care listed below for a range of foot related ailments.
3D Printing and 3D scanning
The use of both 3D scanning and 3D printing is becoming increasingly prevalent within medical care, and certainly within Podiatry. Let’s take a look at orthotics for example; In some practises, you are now able to visit your podiatrist, have your foot scanned and have your custom orthotic produced all in one visit.
The now widespread availability of high-quality and reasonably priced 3D printers has allowed the production of orthotics to be done in house, without the need for more expensive and timely laboratories and production facilities. This not only allows for faster initial treatment, but for faster alterations and corrections.
The number of materials that are available and suitable for Orthotics and 3D printing is increasing every year, that, and with the overall decreasing price of the technology suggests that this tech is here to stay and we can expect for even more advancements in the near future.
Video Gait Analysis (VGA)
Originally reserved for athletes, a lot of Podiatric clinics now offer Video Gait Analysis, a process that allows Podiatrists to track and record visual data regarding abnormalities with how you walk, jog or run. It’s a helpful tool that allows patients to see any issues and, with the aid of the Podiatrist, correct those issues.
Video gate analysis usually offers Slow-Motion Video Analysis, Frame-By-Frame Video Analysis, Joint Angle Analysis and Multi-Angle Video Gait Analysis. The data is analysed by your Podiatrist and also by software that tracks movement and motion to an incredible level of detail. As video tracking technology improves, and the software that processes the information gets smarter. If you have problems with walking or have any other mobility issues that could be related to your feet you will likely benefit from visiting a Podiatrist and requesting VGA.
Swift Microwave Therapy for the treatment of Warts
Although warts are usually seen as an aesthetic issue, if a wart on the foot is left untreated, it can alter your posture and gait. This change can often be very small and go unnoticed, but left untreated can cause serious joint and muscle main.
Swift Microwave Therapy is a new FDA approved, patented podiatry technology for the treatment of warts. The technology allows the specific targeting of a wart using isolated microwave radiation. It works by targeting the HPV virus and stimulating the body’s auto-immune response. It is becoming increasingly popular as it is non-invasive and has high rates of success.
Data Collection for improving patient care
The collection and use of data within healthcare is big business (unlocking the potential of data in healthcare). Across all branches of medicine, new advancements in data collection and analysis is allowing Doctors and medical professionals to look at patient information in a whole new light.
For people that suffer with diabetes, a company called Orpyx Medical Technologies has created a sock that monitors heat, pressure and movement in a patient’s foot. This new technology allows real time data monitoring that empowers the patient to take an active role in their own podiatric care. It also allows Doctors to monitor and analyse patients data without the need for costly visits to the podiatry clinic.
Footnote
Your feet are incredibly important, and human innovation and technological advances make it easier than ever for you to take care of your feet. Your ancestors would be shocked by the myriad of treatments that are now available today that help keep you mobile and active long into old age.
The key is to pay attention to the health of your feet before you get old, catching problems in their early stages or before they even arise. A trip to the Podiatrist can help ensure that you stay one step ahead of your healthcare and can reach your 100,000 miles.