What Doctor to See for Poor Foot Circulation?
Poor foot circulation is commonly caused by a group of conditions known as Peripheral Vascular Disease. What doctor to see for poor foot circulation is a commonly asked question.
The group of conditions that are commonly called Peripheral Vascular Disease are characterized by a restriction of blood flow to the lower extremities. One of the major causes is Atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries.” This condition is very serious and requires immediate treatment. The major problems occur because almost any type of injury to the foot is made worse by the lack of blood flow. A good blood flow is vital to the healing process. So, is Peripheral Vascular Disease a condition that should send you to a foot doctor for treatment? What doctor to see for poor foot circulation is a common question.
The answer is two fold. You need to see two types of doctors. The actual treatment of the condition is best done by a Medical Doctor or Vascular Surgeon. The treatment might involve medication or in some cases surgery. The treatment of the disease itself is not something commonly undertaken by a Podiatrist. If you have the symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease, which include numbness or tingling in the extremities, your first stop should be to a Medical Doctor.
However, once treatment is undertaken, the problem is very much in the area of Podiatry. The foot must be protected and any condition given immediate care and attention. Simple ailments like cuts or even corns or bunions that would normally not present a serious health risk can be very serious conditions when there is poor blood circulation to the foot. The treatment needs to be a cooperative effort between the Medical Doctor and the Podiatrist. The Medical Doctor concentrates on the cure while the Podiatrist manages the symptoms.
It is not uncommon for patients to go to a Podiatrist for such simple procedures as clipping of toe nails. A single nick while cutting nails can result in a serious infection due to the low blood flow. This is an example of how the Podiatrist manages the condition of the feet while the treatment to improve the condition is taking place.
Peripheral Vascular Disease, or poor circulation to the feet, is a serious medical problem. It is a case where the foot doctor plays a major role by working with the Medical doctor to both treat and manage the symptoms. It is a good example of the team approach to medicine that has become more common in this age of specialization.