20 May 2019 The feet are highly complex. They house a quarter of all the bones in the body, plus a vast network of muscles, ligaments and joints. They are vulnerable to injury and illness and more than 300 conditions of the feet have been described. The feet need specialised treatment. Podiatry is the medical science specialising in the research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions and podiatrists are its specialists. Podiatry’s areas of intervention The main areas of podiatry are: General podiatry: static and dynamic foot examinations; Paediatric podiatry: prevention and treatment of foot problems in children; Geriatric podiatry: prevention and treatment of foot problems in the elderly; High-risk feet: diabetic, neurological, vascular foot; Sports podiatry: evaluation and treatment of foot problems in sportspeople; Occupational podiatry: evaluation and analysis of the foot considering the specific circumstances of each occupation; Preventive podiatry: analysis and measures to prevent foot changes. When should I see a podiatrist? Foot disorders may be structural or affect the skin and toenails. There are also foot conditions associated with different age groups, diseases (e.g. diabetes) and activities (e.g. sport). Consider seeing a podiatrist: If you have frequent foot pain; If you are standing for long periods; If you have foot problems (e.g. ingrown nails, changes in nail colour, skin changes, calluses, open wounds); If you have smelly feet; If you have diseases related to foot problems (e.g. diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, vascular diseases); If you stumble or twist your feet repeatedly; If your toe shape changes, making it difficult to wear normal shoes. This article was written with the support of physicians and other clinical professionals from the Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
