Most complications even of minor medical conditions are related to the fact that patients address them too late. Either the problem does not cause much pain or looks as to be well treated by your own – it sometimes seems to be less important than our daily routine that cannot be interrupted by a medical appointment.
Dr. Ankur Bahri is one of our most experienced surgeons who handles cases of various complexity every day. We’ve asked him what kind of serious foot and ankle problems patients tend to treat carelessly postponing their visit to a doctor. And here is Dr. Bahri’s top four list:
Most people don’t go to see a doctor with an ingrown toenail until pain and discomfort become unbearable, whereas redness and swelling around the affected area can already tell that the ingrown nail might be complicated by infection, which might spread to other parts of the foot. With this condition, the later the treatment starts the longer it takes.
FOREIGN BODY
“This happens a lot”, says Dr. Bahri. Especially in summer when walking barefoot on the beach or grass is a natural and common practice. Glass, splinters, toothpicks, shells, nails, thorns, needles, and pieces of wood. All these sharp objects can easily penetrate our feet, get stuck in soft tissues, and cause serious infections. Even if the object is visible, it does not necessarily mean it can be handled without professional medical assistance. Dr. Bahri recalls one of his recent cases when he removed a long piece of wood from a boy’s foot. “His father was sure he removed everything, but the boy kept limping for some time after - until they decided to see a doctor”.
Although most diabetic patients are aware of the specifics of their feet conditions, like low sensitivity caused by poor blood circulation, it is necessary to remember that even blisters that seem to be a minor problem for other people, on a diabetic foot might develop into a foot ulcer. For these patients, the best solution is routine care and regular check-ups. Especially considering the fact that, unfortunately, blister is not the only medical condition that is associated with diabetic foot.
MOLES
Anywhere on the foot, especially toenail. Dr. Bahri advises to pay attention to the shape and color of the moles. If it changes, grows bigger, has different shades of the same color, or becomes itchy – you should see a specialist urgently. It would happen in Dr. Bahri’s practice when a tiny spot on the toenail which seemed to be fine by the patient but noticed and addressed by the doctor in a timely manner – literally saved the patient’s life.
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