Top 5 Most Common Foot Problems Treated by Podiatrists

Podiatrist Near Me



Many of us take our feet for granted, forgetting that they carry us around all day, every day. That is, until we have a problem with them. Our feet are probably one of the most underappreciated parts of our body.

If you are experiencing aches and pains in your feet, you have likely been searching online for a “podiatrist near me." Well, there is no need to look any further, as Kings Park Sports Medicine Centre has just the experts to help. 

Podiatrists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who specialise in foot and ankle care. They treat a wide range of foot conditions, from minor ailments to more complex disorders. Let us look at the five most common foot problems that podiatrists deal with.

1. Skin and Nail Conditions

  • Calluses and corns: Hardened areas of skin caused by friction and pressure.
  • Plantar warts: Viral infections that often appear on the sides of the feet.
  • Ingrown toenails: All too common, when your toenail grows painfully into the surrounding skin.
  • Thickened nails: Thickening of the toenails due to fungal infections, psoriasis, certain medications or trauma.
  • Fungal infections: These can affect skin and nails and cause redness, itchiness and peeling or flaking skin.

2. General Foot Pains

  • Heel pain: This is often caused by plantar fasciitis (inflammation in the band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes) caused by overuse, the wrong shoes, flat feet or high arches.
  • Metatarsalgia: When stress or inflammation affects the long bones in the foot (metatarsal bones), it can cause a great deal of pain in the ball of your foot.
  • Ankle pain: Arising from sprains, strains or arthritis.

3. Diabetes-Linked Foot Health

Diabetes can have a direct negative effect on foot health through increased risk of nerve damage, poor circulation and infections. Regular checkups with your podiatrist are a must to help prevent these serious complications.

4. Sports Injuries

Runners, gymnasts, tennis players, dancers, cyclists and other athletes can experience some of these common sports injuries:

  • General Inflammation: Oftentimes surrounding the Achilles tendon.
  • Runner's knee: Associated with pain in the front of the knee.
  • ITB inflammation and pain: The IT band (ITB) runs from your outer thigh and hip area to your knee. Issues like pain and inflammation in this area are usually the result of overuse or bad form for runners and cyclists, in particular.
  • Shin splints: Shooting pains along the shins from repeatedly stressing the shinbone and its connective tissue.

5. Paediatric Foot Conditions

During phases of high growth, young children are susceptible to a variety of foot problems, including:

  • Flat feet: A common condition when the arches of the foot collapse.
  • In-toeing: Where the child’s feet turn inwards while walking.
  • Knock-knees: Where the child’s knees turn inwards while walking.

Early diagnosis and treatment by a podiatrist will help alleviate your pain, prevent further complications and generally improve your quality of life and overall wellness.

If you are experiencing any problems with your feet, your search for a trustworthy “podiatrist near me” ends here. Contact Kings Park Medical Centre today to book an appointment with our skilled healthcare professionals, who will soon have you back on your feet (and pain-free)!