When you think of clinical trials, you may not consider research in the area of podiatry. Fortunately, there are many clinical trials for different foot ailments that might give you the opportunity to try a new treatment option.

1. Bunions

Many people will eventually develop bunions, either because of degenerative changes in the foot or wearing the wrong footwear for many years. When bunions become severe, a bunionectomy might be the only remedy to reduce pain. One type of clinical trial you might want to consider if you have bunions is clinical trials for post-operative pain. 

If you qualify for the clinical trial, you can receive the surgery at little or no cost and help researchers determine new or improved ways of minimizing post-operative pain. Some of the treatments that might be studied are the use of medications or nerve blocks after surgery. Other bunion-related clinical trials include using different approaches during bunion surgery, such as the use of absorbable screws to hold the bones together.

2. Toenail Fungus 

Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to treat. Whether you use oral or topical treatments, the treatment can take months to fully kill the fungus. In the case of oral treatments, there is always the risk of liver problems, especially with lengthy treatment. Clinical trials for toenail fungus seek to find improved treatments with fewer side effects. Researchers may want to study an investigation topical treatment to kill foot fungus. The goal can be finding a topical treatment that works quicker than treatments currently available and/or reduces the chances of the fungal infection returning. Other experimental treatments include laser treatments for toenail fungus.

3. Diabetic Foot Concerns

Diabetics often experience problems with their feet, especially when diabetes causes neuropathy. One type of clinical trial may be treatments to address foot ulcers in diabetic patients. A significant hurdle in treating diabetic patients with foot ulcers is they often heal slowly and may face significant complications during the healing process. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a minor foot ulcer to eventually progress and warrant an amputation. Researchers want to find a better strategy to treat foot ulcers, especially for those with a history of poor healing. These studies can be revolutionary and possibly reduce the number of people who eventually require an amputation.

If you have foot concerns and do not have insurance or your insurance will not cover specific treatments, consider clinical trials. In addition to having the opportunity to try a new treatment approach, you are helping advance the field of podiatry. For more information, check out a website like https://chesapeakeresearchgroup.com/.