Having foot and ankle health issues is surprisingly common. In fact, as many as 75% of Americans will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives. Not all foot health problems will be able to be solved by your primary care provider, however. Here are a few signs that it might be time to schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist.

You Have Chronic Pain Problems

Even if your foot pain isn't severe, chronic pain can be a sign of a larger issue. You might have an injury that didn't heal properly or another condition that's causing your issues. Even low levels of pain can be prohibitive and irritating when they're chronic, so visiting a specialist about your concerns could help you get back to a pain-free life faster.

You Have Related Chronic Conditions

Some health conditions can contribute to foot and ankle conditions, even if they don't directly involve those parts of the body. Diabetes, for example, can cause problems that demand diabetic foot care if not properly managed. If you've recently been diagnosed, you might want to also contact a foot and ankle specialist to help you manage your diabetic foot care.

You've Recently Been Injured

Not all visits to foot and ankle centers are caused by chronic conditions. If you've recently been injured and are working on recovering, you might want to contact a podiatrist. Podiatry specialists can help make sure your injury heals as quickly and as fully as possible, as well as paying attention to any signs of issues in the healing process. Working with a foot care specialist now can help you avoid issues caused by a poorly healed injury later on.

Your Primary Care Doctor Referred You

If your primary care provider has noticed an issue with your foot or ankle health, they might have referred you to your local foot and ankle center. These specialists will be able to provide the additional care you need to address these specific health issues. Visiting a foot and ankle specialist can help you take care of your foot health in ways that other doctors might not be able to. For more information on podiatry and foot care, contact Dynamic Foot and Ankle today.