How Do You Know When to Call a Podiatrist?

The Vestal Volunteer Emergency Squad, Inc. (VVES) is an organization comprised of both paid and volunteer members who stand ready to protect the Town of Vestal and the rest of Broome County. When an emergency happens in town, people typically know to call 911 and the VVES will respond to help. Southern Tier Podiatry can certainly help with foot and ankle emergencies, but knowing when to call a podiatrist can be trickier in non-emergency situations.

The decision to call a podiatrist starts with understanding exactly what a podiatrist does. Individuals who earn their doctorate of podiatric medicine (DPM) have gone to school for the intended purpose of being able to treat foot and ankle conditions. Basically, you can think of us as foot doctors. In the same way that you would see an optometrist for an eye issue, you should see a podiatrist for a foot or ankle issue.

As a rule of thumb, it is time to call a podiatrist when you or a loved one experiences pain or impaired function of a foot or ankle. Some of the common areas of practice for podiatrists include heel pain, arch pain, bunion and toe deformities, ankle issues, fractures and trauma care, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and pediatric foot care.

In addition to providing care for existing issues, podiatrists can also provide advice and information to help prevent problems from developing in the first place. This is especially important for individuals who live with diabetes. We can help those afflicted with this condition to create a diabetic foot care plan to keep them safe and reduce the risk of serious medical complications.

When it is time to make the call for podiatric help, be sure to contact Southern Tier Podiatry! Our Vestal, NY staff is ready to accurately diagnose your condition and then create an effective treatment plan to keep you safe and healthy. Call us at (607) 217-5668 or use our online form to schedule your appointment today.