Podiatrist in Germany

Medicine is a complex science with a huge number of areas. Those who are far from medicine have not even heard the names of some of them. For example, do you know who a specialist podiatrist is?

Women who are used to taking care of themselves may find this information useful.

Podology is a branch of medicine that deals with comprehensive foot care. It exists to minimize the likelihood of various diseases. Podologists are developing methods to prevent pathological changes and foot diseases. If they already exist, but are detected in time, podiatry will help to avoid serious consequences, eliminate discomfort and significantly improve the condition of the feet.

A podiatrist is a specialist who specializes in medical pedicure. It not only makes the skin smooth and takes care of the nails, but also recognizes all diseases that can affect the condition of the feet. A podiatrist not only treats, but also identifies any pathological changes at the initial stage of their development.

A podologist is something like a step between a pedicure specialist and a professional with a medical education (phlebologist, orthopedist, therapist and others). His field of activity is pedicure, but not the kind you are used to in a beauty salon. A podiatrist performs medical pedicures during which calluses, old rough growths, ingrown toenails, deep cracks in the heel and other defects are carefully removed. Thus, a podiatrist helps avoid the need to visit other doctors.

A podiatrist will tell you about all the intricacies of foot care, recommend the best remedies in your case, and help eliminate the side symptoms of some serious diseases. For example, leg problems can occur with diabetes. Many people are faced with the so-called diabetic footsyndrome — in this case, a podiatrist will help.

A podiatrist can draw conclusions about certain abnormalities in the body. For example, hard grains in a certain area may indicate increased stress in that area, which often occurs with a musculoskeletal disorder.

The same can be said for fungal infections. The mycologist will perform all the necessary tests, make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Treatment in Germany is carried out by a podologist.

Professional cleaning may be required using certain substances to correct nails, correct cracked skin, and so on.

When is it necessary to contact a podiatrist?

Now let’s think about a number of problems and ailments with which you can contact this specialist. You can contact him when you have:

• Congenital abnormalities of nail structure or nail deformation.
• Appearance of warts
• Solving the problem of ingrown nails using prosthetics using various methods.
• Fungal infections of the nails and skin of the feet.
• Rough calluses and calluses.
• Diabetic foot or other disorders resulting from certain medical conditions.
• Formation of spotted spurs.
• Thickening of the skin of the legs of various etiologies.
• Arthrosis of the leg joints.
• Fasciitis.
• Deformation of fingers due to injury or illness.

It is also recommended to contact a podiatrist if you frequently experience pain in the sole of your feet. The cause of this phenomenon must be established so that it does not lead to serious consequences in the future.

What else does a podiatrist do?

• corrects congenital and acquired foot diseases
• selects orthopedic shoes
• проtreats ingrown toenails from an early age,
• provides training in the correct cutting of nails, as well as the correct choice of shoes for children,
• treats fungal diseases of the nails of the hands and feet,
• restoration of mobility of the lower extremities, massage from the knee to the tips of the toes, which is especially important for pregnant women,
• performing all types of manicure (European, classic, hot, hardware, spa manicure, Japanese, men’s, children’s), — pedicure (classic, hardware, combined, men’s, spa), nail strengthening with biogel, gel, nail extensions.

A podiatrist is a doctor with a medical education who diagnoses, treats and prevents foot diseases. This part of the body has the greatest load when walking and playing sports.

The specialist not only works with the legs, but also studies the patient’s entire medical history. This is necessary to identify some concomitant diseases that affect the condition of the tissues in the legs.

The competence of a podologist includes:

• Carry out diagnostic measures to establish the correct diagnosis.
• Surgical treatment of certain diseases, such as ingrown toenails.
• Determining the size of the arch (the place where the bones of the foot are attached) of the foot, the angle of inclination of the metatarsal bone.
• Performing a surgical pedicure (toenail manipulation), which is completely different from the cosmetic version of this procedure.
• Rehabilitation of patients who have undergone foot surgery.

The valuable aspect is his recommendations. A specialist helps even a healthy person avoid the occurrence of leg diseases.

In his practice, a podiatrist observes not only individual foot diseases, but also systemic diseases. Therefore, the doctor must have a higher education and have the skills of a therapist.

A podiatrist treats these diseases

Ingrown nail. The disease occurs due to wearing tight shoes, improper cutting of nails and excessive sweating of the feet. In this case, the nail plate grows into the surrounding skin and causes inflammation. Patients complain of severe pain, swelling and redness of the skin. The ingrown toenail must be partially or completely removed.

Dry calluses or calluses, are characterized by the formation of patches of hardened skin. This occurs when a person wears uncomfortable shoes without a stretcher or has flat feet. The ointments are treated with a special patch that nourishes the affected skin.

Flat feet is a condition in which the arch of the foot falls and the entire plantar surface comes into contact with the floor while standing. The reasons for this are hard work, sports, wearing uncomfortable shoes and injuries.

Trophic ulcer on the plantar surface. This disease occurs due to progressive diabetes mellitus, characterized by the appearance of a skin defect with a diameter of up to 2-6 cm. In this case, local treatment is used and recommendations from an endocrinologist and surgeon are required.

Mycosis fungoides occurs due to uncontrolled antibiotics, excessive sweating of the feet and lack of hygiene. Nails become brittle, break when cut, and whitish stripes appear on the surface. Systemic and local treatment and foot care are required.

Rough heel skin. People complain of cracks appearing on the soles, and then inflammation in this area. This disease is treated for a long time using a special product that gently removes the top layer of skin.

Hallux valgus — is a curvature of the finger from the outside. This is common in women because they wear high heels or tight shoes. The pathologist treats this pathology together with the traumatologist.

Diagnostic methods used by a podiatrist

A podiatrist is a therapist who diagnoses foot diseases. In order to get a more detailed picture of the patient’s condition, the doctor must collect a medical history and ask for concomitant diseases. The following methods can be included in a podiatrist’s diagnostic program:

• Complete blood count — indicates the presence or absence of inflammation in the body.
• Urinalysis — may indicate the secretion of fungal mycelium in urine and glucose.
• Blood glucose is a test necessary to detect diabetes.
• Cholesterol in the blood — may indicate an increased risk of blockage in the blood vessels of the legs.

In some cases:

• X-ray of the foot in two projections. From the photographs you can calculate the angle of the arch of the foot, the size of the metatarsal bone and the presence of bone processes.
• Computed tomography (CT) of the foot. Using the method, you can see a three-dimensional image and study the structure of bones, tendons and joints.
• The planogram is the ratio of the width and length of the step. The patient applies a dye (eg dilute potassium permanganate) to the plantar surface and then places the feet on a white sheet of paper. The footprint evaluates gender and determines the degree of flat feet.
• Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the lower extremities. Using this method, you can find out if there are blood clots in the arteries and veins (thrombi), which sharply reduce blood flow to the tissues.
• A skin swab to determine the type of fungal infection. The doctor uses a cotton swab to go through the areas of skin affected by the fungus. The sample is then sent for laboratory testing.

These methods help the podiatrist accurately determine the diagnosis. If the doctor doubts the diagnostic methods, the patient should be referred to a surgeon, traumatologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist or rheumatologist for consultation.

Cost of podologist services