1. What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a highly trained professional in the care of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are concerned with the examination, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot ailments by biomechanical, surgical and other treatment methods.
Podiatrists are often called upon by other physicians and health care professionals for consultation and treatment of foot problems, which can be experienced by everyone from children to seniors. After all, you only have one pair of feet to last a lifetime.
(Podiatry Association of South Africa)
2. How do I know if I need to see a Podiatrist?
- If I am Diabetic – National and international minimal care guidelines stipulate that a diagnosed Diabetic patient should see a podiatrist at least once a year to reduce the risk of foot ulcerations and subsequent amputations.
- If I have a strange looking or painful lesion on my foot.
- If I have noticed abnormalities in the structure or function of my child’s foot.
- If I spend lots of time in closed shoes.
- If I have discoloured toenails or itchy feet.
- If my shoes hurt me.
- If I have foot pain in the morning or after a long day.
- If I have unsightly corns or callus.
- If I have cracked heels.
- If I would like to check on the status of my general foot health so I can do more every day.
This is why you should see a podiatrist:
3. What conditions do Podiatrists treat?
Podiatrists examine and treat all conditions of the foot and ankle. These include but are not limited to:
- Corns and callus
- Foot warts / Verruca
- Ingrown toenails
- Foot and nail fungal infections
- Flat feet
- Hight arched feet
- Heel pain
- Diabetic foot care
- Arthritic foot care
- Foot ulcerations
4. More about Diabetes
Watch a special report to learn more about the Diabetic foot from our clinician Nikita Sahadew and colleagues.
5. Do we take medical aid?
We are a cash practice and accept both card and cash payments after your consultation. However, we do provide you with all the documentation necessary to claim back from your medical aid provider.
