Pain and discomfort in the feet can start small, causing many people to assume they’ll be able to manage the injury on their own without seeking medical help. Whether due to a foot or ankle injury or some unknown cause, many individuals believe they can recover without needing to see a doctor. Avoiding treatment can lead to long-term consequences or complications, especially if an injury or condition doesn’t heal properly. Here are a few reasons it’s practical and beneficial to see a foot and ankle specialist if you have concerns about your foot health.

Impaired Mobility or Function

Many types of foot pain can interfere with daily activity and normal function, especially if left untreated for long periods of time. It’s important to identify the underlying cause(s) of your problem as well as factors that can exacerbate your symptoms. Because most people spend a fair amount of their day walking, standing or otherwise on their feet, foot health problems can worsen over time without proper medical treatment. If you find that a recent foot or ankle injury affects or impairs your mobility, you'll want to seek treatment from a podiatry specialist well-equipped to diagnose your issue and get you on the path to healing.

Improper Healing

Even if an injury or developing pain seems minor at first, it can become a serious issue the longer it's left untreated. Due to activity, time, age or a variety of other factors, not all injuries will heal properly when left alone. Physical therapy, wearing the proper shoes, adjusting your forms of exercise and implementing the right treatments with the help of foot care specialists can ensure injuries heal as well as possible. This can reduce the chance of impaired mobility, reduced flexibility or pain in the future.

Complicating Factors

Finally, if you have any other health conditions or lifestyle complications (such as a job that requires working on your feet all day) that could potentially impact how you heal from an injury, you'll want to work with a foot doctor to find the best possible path to recovery. This includes a variety of chronic conditions, such as diabetes or prediabetes, as these can reduce circulation and feeling in your legs and feet. According to the American Association of Diabetes Educators, reportedly there were 30.3 million people living with diabetes at the end of 2017. Diabetes and any other conditions that can impact how quickly you heal are important to mention to the podiatrist treating you. If you've recently sustained a foot and ankle injury and are wondering, "Should I look for a foot doctor near me?" chances are a podiatrist could help you heal better and more quickly. For more information on foot pain treatments, contact Dynamic Foot and Ankle Center today.