Dr. Bradley Bakotic is a triple board-certified physician and the only practicing pathologist in the United States with both podiatric training and board certification in dermatopathology. With a career dedicated to advancing the fields of pathology and podiatry, Dr. Bakotic has made substantial contributions through clinical care, education, and innovation. He has served as CEO of Bako Integrated Physician Solutions, enhancing podiatry care nationwide by providing podiatrists with vital pathology services. He has also lectured at leading podiatric schools, authored research in peer-reviewed journals, and held faculty appointments. Currently practicing as a clinical and anatomic pathologist at Southern Ohio Medical Center, Dr. Bakotic brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and deep medical knowledge to help patients and practitioners understand and address foot and ankle health concerns.
Your feet do a lot of heavy lifting—literally. They carry your entire body weight, absorb shock with every step, and help you balance and move through the world. Yet, foot pain and problems are some of the most ignored medical complaints out there. Maybe it’s because we assume foot pain is just part of life, or maybe it’s because we don’t quite know when to seek professional help. The truth is that foot issues often start small and can worsen if left untreated.
Knowing when to see a podiatrist—a physician who specializes in foot and ankle care—can help you prevent long-term complications and get back on your feet, pain-free. Here are five signs that it might be time to schedule an appointment.
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Persistent Foot or Heel Pain
We all get sore feet now and then, especially after a long day or wearing uncomfortable shoes. But if you’re experiencing ongoing pain in your feet or heels that doesn’t improve with rest, better footwear, or over-the-counter remedies, it’s time to consider a visit to a podiatrist. Persistent pain, especially in the heel, can be a sign of plantar fasciitis, one of the most common foot conditions. This occurs when the tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed, often due to overuse, poor arch support, or tight calf muscles. The pain is usually worse in the morning or after sitting for a long period, and it doesn’t typically go away on its own.
A podiatrist can help by diagnosing the root cause of the pain and recommending treatment options tailored to your needs. That might include custom orthotics, physical therapy exercises, or cortisone injections, though this last treatment only eases the pain for a few months but doesn’t cure it. Delaying care can lead to compensatory problems elsewhere in your body, like your knees, hips, or back.
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Ingrown Toenails That Recur or Get Infected
Ingrown toenails might sound like a minor issue, and sometimes they are. However, when they become recurrent or lead to infection, they can be more than just an annoying nuisance. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes an accumulation of pus. This can happen due to improper nail trimming, tight shoes, injury, or even genetics.
While mild cases can sometimes be managed at home, a podiatrist is the right person to treat more stubborn, painful, or infected ingrown toenails. They can safely remove the offending portion of the nail and offer advice on how to prevent future episodes. In some cases, a minor procedure may be done to permanently remove part of the nail matrix to prevent regrowth in that area.
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Numbness, Burning, or Tingling Sensations
Any time you’re experiencing numbness, burning, or tingling in your feet, especially if it’s happening regularly, it deserves attention. These symptoms can be signs of nerve damage, often associated with a condition called peripheral neuropathy. While this condition is commonly linked to diabetes, it can also result from other medical conditions, injuries, infections, or even certain medications.
These sensations might start gradually, and you may think of them as simply “weird” or “annoying” rather than dangerous. But over time, nerve damage can lead to serious complications, including loss of sensation and balance, which can increase your risk of falls or foot injuries you don’t even feel. A podiatrist can run diagnostic tests to determine the cause and severity of the issue and suggest appropriate management—ranging from lifestyle changes to medications or specialized foot care routines.
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Changes in the Shape or Structure of Your Feet
Your feet change over time, but some changes are more significant than others. If you start to notice that your arches are falling, your toes are curling abnormally, or bony bumps are forming at the base of your big toe (a common sign of bunions), it’s worth getting checked out. Conditions like flat feet, hammertoes, or bunions often start gradually but can eventually lead to significant discomfort and difficulty walking.
A podiatrist can assess whether these structural changes are a result of genetics, injury, or long-term stress on the foot. Often, early intervention like proper footwear, splints, or orthotics can prevent the condition from worsening. In more severe cases, surgical correction might be recommended. The key is not to wait until the deformity has progressed to the point where walking is painful or mobility is limited.
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Difficulty Walking or Standing for Long Periods
If walking even short distances leaves your feet aching, or if you find it hard to stand for long periods without discomfort, that can be a sign that something’s off. Our bodies are remarkably good at compensating for pain and dysfunction, so by the time you’re consciously avoiding certain activities because of your feet, the issue may have been brewing for a while.
A podiatrist can perform a gait analysis and physical exam to identify whether your walking pattern is contributing to your discomfort. They might recommend orthotics, stretching exercises, or changes to your footwear. In more complex cases, imaging like X-rays or MRIs may be necessary to get a full picture. Whatever the cause, addressing it sooner rather than later can improve your quality of life significantly.
Trust Your Feet
We often ignore foot pain because we’re too busy, or we think it’s just something we have to live with, especially as we age. However, pain, numbness, deformities, and changes in how your feet function are all signs that something isn’t right. A podiatrist has the training to diagnose and treat these problems before they lead to more serious consequences.