Frisco patients are referred to a foot doctor after their general doctor diagnoses a foot or ankle problem. The foot doctor, or podiatrist, specializes in conditions related to the feet and ankles. This in-depth knowledge is used to treat a wide range of problems that can cause uncomfortable symptoms that can prevent you from being able to walk or stand without pain and discomfort.

What Conditions Does a Foot Doctor Treat?

Foot doctors are trained to treat everything from mild conditions of fungal toe to traumatic foot and ankle fractures that require intensive surgery and physical therapy to recover. Some foot and ankle problems are chronic and require management over a lifetime, while others are acute injuries that heal with time and proper care.

Acute Foot and Ankle Problems

Most athletes and people with active lifestyles deal with acute injuries that heal over time and with proper care. Injuries such as ankle and foot sprains seem relatively minor at the time but can quickly develop into more severe problems that affect your long-term performance and comfort. Other acute injuries such as foot and ankle fractures may require surgery and an extended healing period.

Common acute foot and ankle problems for patients in the Frisco, TX area include:

  • Achilles Tendon Injury: A frequent complaint of patients who play sports and are active, a sprain or rupture of your Achilles tendon causes you pain when walking and can slow you down significantly.
  • Athlete’s Foot and Fungal Toenail: Athlete’s foot is fungal growth between your toes. Fungal toenail can cause a painful infection in your toenail. Bunions, Corns, Calluses, and Plantar Warts: A bunion is a bump or growth on the side of your big toe. Corns and calluses are the thickening or hardening of skin on your foot. Plantar’s warts develop when your skin is infected with a virus.
  • Hammertoes, Ingrown Toenails, and Soft Tissue Masses: Hammertoes occur when the joints in your toes bend abnormally, causing your toe to resemble a hammer. Ingrown toenails occur when skin grows over the edges of the toenail. Soft tissue mass are thickened skin caused by constant pressure and friction.

Frisco patients who experience any of these acute foot and ankle problems should immediately contact Dr. Verville to schedule a consultation and receive quality medical care.

Chronic Foot and Ankle Problems

Chronic foot and ankle problems last for long periods of time and require consistent management to control symptoms. Your foot doctor can develop a treatment plan that limits the effects of these conditions and keeps you comfortable. Common diagnoses for chronic conditions are:

  • Heel Pain and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Heel pain has a variety of causes that range from fracture to heel spurs (plantar fasciitis) and becomes more intense over time. Tarsal tunnel syndrome stops you from bearing full weight on your foot due to muscle weakness.
  • Flat Feet: Flat feet occur when the arches on both or one of your feet collapse or “fall”, this can create problems walking and lead to more serious issues over time.
  • Diabetic Feet and Foot Gout: Diabetic feet require extra attention because small injuries can worsen and in the most serious cases lead to amputation. Foot gout is a build up of uric acid that causes your joints to swell and is often present with diabetic feet.
  • Morton’s Neuroma: Affects the ball of your foot, usually between your third and fourth toes. It leaves a sharp, burning sensation that can spread to the toes.

With proper management, Dr. Verville can help minimize symptoms so that you can continue your daily routine free from pain and discomfort.

Preventative Foot Care for Patients in Frisco, TX

A visit to the foot doctor is a preventative measure if you lead an active lifestyle. Proactively seeking foot and ankle care can reduce your risk for more serious problems in the future. Custom orthotics are the first and possibly most important measure to give feet and ankles the support they need for day-to-day activity.

Dr. Verville evaluates patients for advanced custom orthotics and will discuss your options during your appointment.

To schedule an appointment for a specific foot condition or preventative care, Frisco patients should call RNV Podiatry at (214) 385-8822.