Footcare: Why is keeping up with it important?
It’s easy to forget about how much our feet do for us! Feet are responsible for keeping us balanced, standing upright, and walking. Taking care of your feet should be a priority, and that doesn’t just mean getting a pedicure every few months.
How do we keep our feet healthy? Seeing a podiatrist regularly is a great first step! What’s a podiatrist? Podiatrists are medical professionals trained to treat problems related to the feet or lower legs, as well as keep them healthy before they become an issue.
Preventative foot care
Making sure to take care of your feet before problems arise is the key to great foot health. Even if you aren’t having issues with your feet currently, routinely seeing a podiatrist is a good idea.
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Taking care of your feet takes care of the rest of your body:
When your feet are hurting or overexerted, you may be relying on other parts of your body to compensate for balance and mobility, such as your back and joints. Seeing a podiatrist regularly makes sure that any issues with your feet, including your toe nails, are taken care of before potentially injuring you!
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Footcare and diabetes:
Individuals who have diabetes are at a higher risk of developing foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, infection or ulcers. Making sure to see a doctor regularly about your feet will help them spot issues early. Additionally, your podiatrist may recommend custom-molded therapeutic shoes, which protect from injury due to having a thicker sole. If this is the case, you can expect to have an appointment for sizing and for creating impressions of each foot, then a follow-up appointment in which your shoes are delivered to you and your foot doctor ensures they fit properly. Depending upon the number of orders currently in process, these therapeutic shoes can take up to a few months to be delivered to your doctor’s office, so be sure to plan ahead.
Does Medicare Cover Footcare?
Medicare Part B will cover treatment related to diabetes as well as foot care under instances where treatment is medically necessary due to injury or disease. In these cases, you will be responsible for 20% coinsurance and Part B premiums. Medicare does not cover routine foot care such as callus removal, trimming nails, or other hygienic services. Because there is limited coverage regarding foot care, it is especially important to keep up with preventative care. Your podiatrist can help you avoid foot-related issues that you might deal with when neglecting your lower extremities.
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