Most of the time, when things are going well, you shouldn’t really be thinking about your feet. They’re incredibly intricately designed to provide consistent support for all types of movement - from standing and squatting to running and jumping. However, if something goes wrong, you’re experiencing pain, or you’re just concerned with foot performance during those activities, you might want to see a podiatrist. And at Emerald Coast Podiatry, we have podiatrists in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL in Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel to serve you.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is just a fancy term for a doctor who specializes in treating the feet. In addition to four years of medical school to become a doctor, they spend an additional three years in residency at a hospital honing their craft.
Dr. Ricciari completed his residency in foot and ankle surgery at Southern California and Fellowship and then went on to become a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery a member of the Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Association of Podiatric Practice Management, American Medical Athletic Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, and Florida Podiatric Medical Association.
When To See a Podiatrist
Patients in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL typically visit our podiatrist for painful foot conditions, such as bone spurs, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. These problems tend to come on slowly and can become excruciatingly painful over time, while things like ankle sprains or fractures are more acute. Other common reasons to see a podiatrist are more cosmetic, including warts, corns, and calluses. However, it’s not all about appearances - things like bunions or fungal infections can cause much more serious problems if they go untreated.
While your general physician may be able to help ID a foot problem, they will likely refer you to a podiatrist for treatment. That’s because podiatrists have the necessary training and experience needed to provide continuous, measured foot care that will get you back to health. If you’re experiencing heel pain, toe problems, ankle issues, or anything else foot-related, you should consider seeing a podiatrist.
Get in Touch To Set up an Appointment Today
Want to speak with a podiatrist in Crestview & Fort Walton Beach, FL? Get in touch with our team at Emerald Coast Podiatry to set up an appointment with Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel. Just call (850) 862-4119 to reach our Fort Walton Beach offices and (850) 682-6522 for our Crestview office.