5 Signs You Should See A Podiatrist

1 Foot or lower limb pain.

One of the most common serious foot conditions is plantar fasciitis, which is noticeable through a deep ache or shooting pain in the heel. Metatarsalgia is another fairly common condition where the ball of the foot becomes so painful it can be unbearable to stand or walk. If the heel or ball of your foot continues to hurt when you first step out of bed in the morning, see your podiatrist. If you have foot pain or symptoms for longer than three months, the injury can become chronic, which can make it harder to resolve and delay recovery.

2 Tired legs.

There can be many different reasons for tired legs, from muscle fatigue due to muscle imbalance, through to reduced blood flow or blood pooling in the legs.

3 A change in the skin or colour of your lower limbs or toenails.

If your feet peel, bleed, crack or swell; if veins become more visible; or if your toenails turn yellow/brownish, book an appointment with a podiatrist. If you are diabetic and your foot looks redder, swells, or your skin starts to break down producing ulcers or a crack in your heels, seek urgent care.

4 When you fall pregnant, after you have your baby, or if you put on or lose a lot of weight.

The amount of weight a person carries impacts the pressure on their feet – and through pregnancy your weight increases quickly. Your body also releases a hormone called relaxin, which increases the flexibility and elasticity of your ligaments and joints. This can increase your foot size and your injury risk post pregnancy. Seeing a podiatrist during this time means you’ll get the correct diagnosis and treatment plan to reduce the impact on your feet, ankles and knees.

5 Loss of sensation in your feet, or a change in how your feet feel.

If you notice you’re losing feeling or movement in your foot, toes or lower limbs, see your podiatrist immediately. It could be a sign of a progressive condition that requires further investigation.