Podiatry

Podiatry is the branch of healthcare dedicated to the care and treatment of the feet, ankles, and related structures. Podiatrists help prevent, diagnose, and treat problems such as calluses, bunions, fungal infections, injuries, foot pain, and other conditions that may affect mobility and the patient’s quality of life.

Additionally, podiatry involves performing surgical procedures, prescribing corrective devices or orthotics, administering or prescribing medications, and using physical medicine and rehabilitation methods to treat conditions of the lower limbs below the knee.

The foot is as important as any part of the human anatomy and is susceptible to traumatic injuries, minor infections, or complications associated with chronic systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, degenerative joint disease, rheumatism, peripheral vascular insufficiency, gout, among others.

The age group that most requires a podiatrist is the elderly, and the medical condition with the highest incidence is diabetic foot.

Our medical institution focuses on preventive care and patient education, which is why podiatrists first perform a thorough foot examination to assess the health of the lower limbs.

At La Colonia, podiatrists may order different types of tests depending on the problem being evaluated. Some common tests include:

1. Physical examination: Visual inspection of the feet, gait analysis, and evaluation of mobility and sensitivity.
2. X-rays: To detect fractures, bone deformities, bunions, or structural problems.
3. Ultrasound: To assess soft tissues, tendons, and ligaments.
4. Sensitivity tests: Such as the monofilament test to detect neuropathies.
5. Pressure and gait studies: To analyze how weight is distributed when walking and identify imbalances or abnormal pressure points.
6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): In more complex cases, to get a detailed view of deep tissues.

The type of test a podiatrist orders will depend on the patient’s symptoms and the specific condition being evaluated.