Who are podiatrists?
Podiatrists are healthcare specialists who help diagnose and treat injuries and disorders affecting the lower legs. They are also called chiropodists, and they help detect issues in the feet and ankles and other internal conditions that present with signs and symptoms in the legs.
Training and education of podiatrists
Podiatrists in the U.S. undergo extensive training programs and gain hands-on experience before treating patients. The journey begins with acquiring a four-year-long undergraduate degree in biology or a related field. Then, they undergo another four years of training in a podiatry medical school and earn a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree. To date, nine podiatry schools in the country have been accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
In podiatry school, aspiring podiatrists learn about the different parts of the legs and feet (the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves). They understand how all these parts work together and produce foot movement. They study what happens when the feet get injured or infected. After completing their DPM degree, they finish a three-year residency training in a hospital where they collaborate with medical doctors of other specialties to gain practical experience in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect the feet.
All podiatrists in the U.S. need to be certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. This involves clearing the written and practical examinations conducted by the organization. Some podiatrists may want to become subspecialists and study further. They may undergo fellowships in the following subspecialties—diabetes, pediatric care, senior care, autoimmune and inflammatory foot conditions, orthotics, neurologic foot conditions, circulatory foot conditions, and podiatric surgery. Podiatrists specializing in foot surgery are known as podiatric surgeons, and they are certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
All podiatrists in the U.S. must obtain a state license to practice in their state and renew the permit every couple of years.
Common foot problems that podiatrists manage
Podiatrists receive training in detecting and treating various conditions related to the feet, such as:
- Injuries in the feet and legs: Podiatrists can treat injured or torn ligaments and tendons in the lower limbs, which may be affected by trauma or other puncture wounds. They can also set fractures in the legs with the cast. Podiatrists play a critical role in helping athletes recover and rehabilitate from strains and sprains in sports.
- Inflammatory conditions of the feet: Podiatrists routinely help arthritis and gout patients manage joint pain and swelling. They use a combination of treatment modalities for such patients, including prescribing special shoes, shoe inserts, physical therapy, and even medications to help relieve the troubling symptoms.
- Foot problems caused by diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic condition that increases sugar levels in the body. Diabetic patients often have stubborn foot problems, such as infections that are not resolved quickly, and nerve problems (known as diabetic neuropathy), leading to numbness, sores, calluses, and foot ulcers.
- Abnormalities affecting the foot structure: Podiatrists often treat patients with conditions affecting the bones forming the feet. Common conditions include flat feet, high arches, bunions, and hammertoes. The joint enlargement below the base of the big toe characterizes bunions. Patients with bunions have abnormal bending of the big toes and struggle to move around. Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs because of an imbalance in the supporting structures, and the toe curls downward. People with flat feet have no curvatures in their arches, which leads to foot pain.
- Nail problems: Podiatrists treat patients with fungal nail infections and ingrown nails.
- Skin conditions: They also treat some skin conditions such as warts, plantar dermatosis, corns, calluses, athlete's foot, psoriasis, and skin cancer in the feet.
- Heel troubles: Some other heel conditions podiatrists address include spurs, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinitis.
- Other conditions: Inability to put weight on the feet or walk, abnormal growth on the feet, like warts, etc., are some more issues podiatrists treat.
APMA's recommendations to follow for healthy feet
Generally, one must wear footwear that is sized correctly, and fits comfortably. In case of any issues, a podiatrist’s attention may also be sought timely. While holistic foot care is essential year-round, the steps needed may vary based on the time of year. Read on to learn more about maintaining optimal foot health in weather-appropriate ways.
1. Footcare steps to take when in a hot environment
Your everyday life out and about in the sun may cause potential foot problems like sunburn and infections. To enjoy a trouble-free summer-time experience, APMA advises you to follow the precautions given below:
- Avoid walking barefoot, as it exposes your feet to sunburn, plantar warts, athlete's foot, and other infections while increasing the risk of injury.
- Wear shoes or flip-flops in various settings like the outdoors, pool areas, the beach, and even within your room to prevent injuries and the potential spread of bacterial infections.
- Apply and reapply sunscreen generously to your feet every few hours, paying extra attention to the tops and fronts of your ankles.
- Stay hydrated to minimize foot swelling caused by the heat.
- Maintain healthy blood flow through ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
- Be prepared with essential foot care items for minor issues like blisters, sunburn, and skin injuries. These include flip-flops, sterile bandages, antibiotic cream, moisturizing cream, blister pads, anti-inflammatory medication, toenail clippers, an emery board, a pumice stone, sunscreen, and aloe vera or foot cream.
2. Footcare during winter
To ensure good foot health during the winter, especially during particular activities, follow these tips from the APMA:
- For skiing and snowboarding, only use ski boots or snowboard-specific footwear. Ensure a proper fit and consider using orthotics to enhance support to prevent blisters, chafing, and injuries.
- For running, choose warm, moisture-wicking activewear and maintain your regular footstrike pattern while shortening your stride for stability. Always warm up your muscles by exercising before running, as cold weather can reduce flexibility.
- Winter boots can make your feet sweaty and damp. Combat this with foot powder inside your socks and incorporate extra foot baths into your winter foot care routine.
- Avoid wearing summer-appropriate footwear like sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops in cold, snowy, or icy conditions. Choose winter footwear that keeps your feet warm, dry, and supported to prevent frostbite and injuries.
Finding the best podiatrist near you in Ashburn, Virginia
Our feet are an active part of our bodies. They absorb all the shocks and carry the entire weight of our bodies as we walk and run around. They are crucial to maintaining our well-being and require expert care. To aid one's search for a suitable practitioner, Zocdoc can help.
On Zocdoc, you can filter podiatrists based on their subspecialty, your symptoms or condition, the address of the clinic (near your home or office), and the date and time you prefer to get an appointment. Zocdoc also helps you customize your search based on your insurance policy and plan. Select your current insurance from the drop-down menu on Zocdoc, and it will immediately list the best podiatrists near you who are in-network.
Click on the podiatrist of your choice and read through a personalized profile page that lists all the essential information about their education, certifications, affiliations, and awards. It also details the podiatrist's practice, when and where they provide consultations, and if they have special knowledge and experience in treating particular age groups and conditions. The profile also tells you about the healthcare professional's gender, language preferences, and cultural background.
You can make in-person and online appointments with the best podiatrist near you using Zocdoc. All the bookings are fast, free, and secure!
Podiatric statistics in Ashburn, Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health published a report using diabetes-related data from the Virginia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). According to this report, in 2020, about 11.1% of people in the state had diabetes. The data on prediabetes also followed similar patterns, having a 9.3% prevalence in the state. According to the research, around 16.48% of Virginians per 1,000 had diabetes and were hospitalized because of complications.
According to America's Health Rankings, in 2021, about 27.1% of Virginian adults were diagnosed with arthritis. Arthritis was mostly found among older people over 65, with about 53.1% afflicted by the illness. In the arthritis gender comparison, men (22.4%) had fewer cases than women (31.5%).
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
American Podiatric Medical Association
Healthline
Virginia Department of Health
America’s Health Rankings
