Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel are leading foot doctors and surgeons at Emerald Coast Podiatry, treating Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, & Crestview, FL residents. Our doctor is experienced and skilled at treating many foot, ankle, and lower leg conditions.

Our doctor is exceptionally skilled at diabetic foot problems, fractures, sprains, heel pain, ingrown nails, and other foot afflictions plaguing children and adults. He is here today to discuss how foot doctors diagnose and treat common foot problems.

Diagnosing, Treating, Common Foot Problems

There are as many different problems with your feet as there are treatments to correct the issues. With his expertise, Dr. Ricciardi can address well over 30 foot and ankle issues, ensuring that your specific condition is understood and catered to.

Diagnosing Common Foot Problems

To arrive at a correct diagnosis of your foot or ankle problem, our foot doctor at Emerald Coast Podiatry at Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, & Crestview, FL, will review your medical history and your current symptoms and do a baseline physical examination of your affected foot. Our doctor looks for swelling, discoloration, weakness, and increased skin temperature. You will be asked to move your foot and ankle around, testing for flexibility.

Through this physical examination, our doctor can arrive at a fairly good reason for your problem. However, he must be absolutely sure of his diagnosis, as the correct diagnosis hinges on the correct treatment plan.

• Our doctor may order imaging testing, such as a CT scan, ultrasound, bone scan, X-ray, or MRI.
• He may order you to have some blood tests that will tell him of any infection, inflammatory processes, or autoimmune disease.
• He may utilize a specialized computer system that tests for diabetic neuropathy, hypersensitivity, or nerve disorders of the foot.
• You may have to have an EMG that tests how well your muscles respond to nerve impulses.

Treatment of Common Foot Conditions

Treatment options available depend wholly on your diagnosis. 

• Surgical Intervention
• Laser Treatment, Surgery
• Wound Care
• Hammertoe and Bunion Correction
• Prescription Shoes and Orthotics
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Common Foot and Ankle Problems

Some of the more common problems are as follows:.

• Diabetic foot issues
• Hammertoes, bunions, and corns
• Heel pain 
• Flat feet
• Bone spurs
• Tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown toenails
• Arch pain
• Peripheral Neuropathy

Keep Your Feet Healthy, and Make Your Appointment Today!

Call Dr. Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel, a leading foot doctor and surgeon at Emerald Coast Podiatry, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, at (850) 862-4119 and Crestview, FL, at (850) 682-6522 to schedule your foot appointment. Residents of Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, & Crestview, FL, can be confident that they will receive the highest-quality foot care. Call us today for your appointment and join our family in leading the way to better foot health.