Ever wondered who to go to for your foot problems?
Well, you’re looking for a podiatrist.
Who are they exactly?
To put it in laymen’s terms, a podiatrist is a foot doctor, also known as podiatric physicians, podiatric surgeons or foot and ankle surgeons. A doctor of podiatric medicine, or DPM, is another name for these doctors that have gone to podiatry schools.
We identify abnormalities and treat conditions concerning the lower legs, foot and ankle. We also help with nail disorders.
Podiatrists are capable of doing surgery, resetting fractured bones, prescribing medications, administering local anaesthesia and ordering lab tests and X-rays.
When an issue with your feet or lower legs arises, we also work closely with other medical specialists.
Keep reading to find out more about how podiatry works in Singapore.
What Makes Us Qualified Podiatrists in Singapore?
Not every doctor is a podiatrist. In fact, podiatrists usually does not attend regular medical school like other doctors!
You need to have a podiatric medical education background.
Podiatrists complete 3 to 4 years of training and study at podiatric medical school to obtain their bachelor’s degree in podiatric medicine (DPM).
Even after all that extensive training, some podiatrists choose to pursue more specific fellowship training in a certain field.
Most podiatrists in Singapore are trained in Australia or the United Kingdom.
Foot Conditions That You May Be Facing That Podiatrists Treat Include:
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetes can harm the nerves in your feet and legs, and you may not be able to get enough blood supply to them hence foot ulcers may lead to amputation.
Arthritis
Inflammation, swelling, wear and strain on your foots joints which you have 33 of can cause immense foot pain.
You may have to undergo foot surgery if it gets too severe.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that affects the bottom of your heel.
The plantar fascia is a strong, weblike ligament that connects the back of your foot to the front.
Using too much pressure on your foot can damage or tear the ligaments.
Ingrown toenail
This can happen when the skin on one or both sides of a nail grows over the sides of the nail, or when the thickened nails grow into the skin.
It can happen if you always wear shoes that are too tight or even by improper nail care.
Corn and Callus
Ever felt like you have thickened, hardened layers of skin on your heel? That’s probably a corn or callus.
They form to protect the skin from friction or high pressure.
However, corns are prone to develop foot ulcers and infections.
Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections or onychomycosis are common infections of the fingernails or toenails that cause them to darken, thicken, and crack and break more easily.
Achilles Tendinities
Achilles tendinitis happens when you cause too much damage to the Achilles tendon, which is the tendon that joins the calf muscles in the rear of your lower leg to your heel bone.
Achilles tendonitis is mostly common among runners who have increased their running intensity or duration rapidly.
Learn How We Can Help You With Your Foot Conditions.
At Dr Foot Podiatry, we prioritise giving you a service with results and your comfort in mind.
We can help you get your feet checked and even curate a treatment plan for you.
We provide treatment for skin and nails conditions such as warts, ingrown toenails, corn and callus.
We have treatments like shockwave therapy, photobiomodulation therapy and even customised insoles that can prevent foot pain and abnormal foot structure.
Keep your feet healthy with Dr Foot Podiatry?
Regardless of your foot conditions or even nail conditions, we are here to help you maintain your foot health.
Contact us on our website.
It’s as easy as filling in your name, contact details and letting us know your foot problem or foot deformities
Then, we’ll be able to set up an appointment for you!