Podiatrist in Marietta, GA
A podiatrist is a specialist trained in diagnosis and treatment of foot, ankle, and toe conditions. Podiatrists complete several years of specialized training beyond medical school. Our Marietta, GA podiatrist, Dr. Mark Light, provides high-quality and comprehensive podiatric care to improve your health.
Conditions a Podiatrist Can Treat
A podiatrist treats a wide variety of medical conditions. A podiatrist can help you heal from:
- An accident involving your feet, ankles, or toes
- A sports injury involving your feet, ankles, or toes
- A chronic medical condition which has affected your feet, ankles, or toes
Specific medical conditions a podiatrist can treat include:
- Bunions
- Heel pain
- Fallen arches
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hammertoes
- Ingrown toenail
- Fungal toenail
- Lateral ankle instability
- Ankle sprains
- Ankle fractures
- Achilles tendon injuries
Common Treatments Provided by a Podiatrist
A podiatrist uses the latest technology to deliver treatments to aid healing, restore function, and restore mobility. Common treatments provided by a podiatrist include:
- Custom orthotics and footwear to provide support
- Shock wave therapy to eliminate heel pain
- Prescription anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Antibiotics to kill bacteria causing infection
- Laser therapy to destroy bacteria and fungi
- Surgery to repair ligaments, tendons, and bones, or realign your feet, ankles, or toes
- Splints, casts, and other devices to improve mobility
When You Should Visit Our Podiatrist
You should visit our podiatrist if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or arthritis, which is affecting your feet, ankles, or toes. You should also visit a podiatrist if you are experiencing:
- Severe foot, ankle, or toe pain that doesn’t go away or is getting worse
- Ankle instability when you stand or walk
- Chronic heel pain, especially when you stand and walk
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or toes which doesn’t resolve
How You Can Prevent Foot, Ankle, or Toe Injuries
You can do a lot to prevent injuries to your feet, ankles, and toes if you always wear appropriate footwear for the activity you are doing, and avoid going barefoot. You should also:
- Do gentle arch, foot, and ankle stretches before activity
- Wear protective gear when playing a sport
- Clean floors free of objects that could cause foot injuries
- Avoid cutting your toenails too short
- Cut your toenails straight across
- Avoid standing or walking on hard surfaces for long periods