When To See a Foot Doctor.
Everyday foot injuries don't always require the intervention of someone who specializes in them. Sometimes your general practitioner can be enough, and in these cases, you may even be able to care for it on your own. But if you suffer from a chronic disease, such as diabetes, or if you're not noticing improvement after some time, then it may be time to consult a specialist. Someone like your Bronx, NY, foot doctor Dr. Barry Finkelstein of the NYNJ Foot and Ankle Center. Don't count on determining the severity of your injury on your own, levels of pain alone aren't always the most reliable measure.
A Simple Sprain
As an example, an ankle injury can help you better understand the role of your podiatrist.
Ankle sprains can usually be immediately treated by employing the often mentioned RICE method. Which translates into, rest, ice, compress and elevate. It is an excellent first aid to an injury like a sprain, to help reduce the possibility of a complication and to minimize pain and inflammation. But it should not replace the diagnosis of a professional.
Tests typically involve imaging and can tell you exactly what is wrong with your ankle.
If your injury is mild your doctor could actually recommend you continue the at-home treatment. But severe complications may even require surgical intervention, it is why a professional diagnosis is a crucial step toward alleviating your pain and getting you back on your feet.
Podiatrist in Bronx, NY
A podiatrist's specialties go beyond the treatment of injuries. They can assist you with potentially chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis, they can treat athlete's foot, corns, bunions, and ingrown nails, among other services. They are foot specialists and treat foot problems as a matter of course. So make your appointment today, get in contact with Dr. Finkelstein of the NYNJ Foot and Ankle Center in Bronx, NY, by dialing (718) 881-7990.