Treatment by a podiatrist includes measures from the fields of orthopedics, dermatology, surgery and internal medicine. With his treatment, the podiatrist combats acute foot problems and can thus avert any consequential damage. Special therapy techniques and expert advice are used for this purpose. Details on the procedure of a medical foot treatment can be found here.
Procedure of foot treatment at the podiatrist
A podological treatment usually begins with a relaxing foot bath, after which the podiatrist carefully examines the feet. After he has thereby made himself a picture of the overall condition of the feet, he looks specifically for foot problems such as:
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
- Open wounds
- Pressure points
- Bubbles
- Warts
- Callus
- Corns
- Ingrown toenails
If necessary, such foot problems are treated with special tools. Even fungal infections, which in some cases can hardly be distinguished from dry skin, do not escape his expert eye.
Shoes and existing insoles are also inspected. In addition, he provides useful tips for daily foot care at home.
How long does a podiatry treatment take?
A professional podiatric treatment, which includes an individual consultation, foot inspection and care, takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The initial treatment may take longer.
A podological complex treatment, which is usually necessary for diabetics, is performed in consultation with the treating physician at regular intervals three to four times within six weeks and takes 40 to 50 minutes.
Who needs medical foot care?
In addition to patients sent by the doctor – usually the diabetologist, dermatologist or orthopedist – people with short-term problems also use medical foot care. Calluses or corns must then be removed, pressure sores and blisters treated, or a foot fungus treated.
Diabetics are particularly prone to fungal diseases and other infections, as the function of the sweat glands is often impaired after a long period of diabetes. Without sweating, however, overheating occurs, the skin dries out and becomes more susceptible to injury and infestation by fungi and other pathogens.
Foot treatment as a preventive measure
People who simply value healthy feet and want to take care of them as a preventive measure can also visit the podiatrist. This can then also give tips for careful and regular foot care at home. This way, foot problems do not have to occur in the first place.
What does medical foot care cost?
A treatment at the podiatrist costs, depending on the duration and effort, between 30 and 45 euros, although consultation services or smaller partial treatments, which only take a few minutes, can also be cheaper.
From the health insurance these costs are taken over however only if a medical necessity, for example a diabetic foot syndrome, and an appropriate remedy prescription of the physician are present.
Nevertheless, if you take care of your feet as a healthy person and keep them healthy, you are doing something good for your whole body.
