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Who is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist, often known as a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), specializes in treating conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They can ease pain and hasten recovery following an operation or injury to your limb. They can perform surgery when necessary, issue prescriptions, suggest physical treatment, and set fractures. 

A podiatrist can also:

• Diagnose skin and nail conditions, congenital (present at birth) abnormalities, cancers, and ulcers
• Treat issues such as heel spurs, corns, shortened tendons, bone abnormalities, and cysts.
• Stabilize foot and ankle injuries such as fractures or sprains by making flexible casts.
• Help with preventative foot care
• Refer patients to other specialists if the foot problems have underlying causes

What kind of education and training do podiatrists receive?

Traditional medical school is not a requirement for becoming a podiatrist. A podiatric medical school typically requires students to complete a 4-year program. Following graduation, they complete a residency. To be board-certified in podiatry, one must complete at least two years of residency.  

To obtain a license, podiatrists must pass the National Board Exams and graduate from one of the nine accredited (authorized) podiatric schools and universities. Podiatrists can also specialize in sub-fields like orthopedics, general medicine, or surgery.

What are the subspecialties of podiatry?

Podiatrists can decide to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as:

• Diabetic foot care

Diabetes can be detrimental to your feet. Podiatrists can support individuals with diabetes in maintaining healthy feet. 

• Radiology 

Podiatric radiologists are experts in using imaging techniques to diagnose infections, disorders, and injuries to the lower limbs. They focus on imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds, and radiation therapy. 

• Sports medicine 

Podiatrists specializing in sports medicine can treat people who suffer injuries while participating in sports or other physical activities.

• Pediatrics

Podiatrists can also specialize in treating children. You may be referred to a podiatrist by your primary care physician if your child complains of pain in their feet or legs. The common conditions that pediatric podiatrists address are ingrown toenails, athlete's foot or tinea pedis, one toe almost crossing over the big toe (crossover toes), bunions, flat feet, turned-in toes (in-toed gait), foot and ankle growth plate injuries, and lumps of skin on the bottom of the feet (plantar warts).

What are the effects of psoriatic arthritis on the feet?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can cause inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort. Foot issues are also quite common in PsA. Your immune system causes inflammation that damages your joints when you have PsA. Additionally, the tendons and ligaments' points of attachment to bone are affected by this inflammation. Your feet have more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments in addition to 28 bones, 30 joints, and more. This provides PsA with a ton of potential attack targets. However, the disease affects some foot regions more frequently than others.

• Joint pain in the metatarsophalangeal

The metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) is an area of your foot that PsA frequently targets. A few factors that, if you have PsA, raise your risk of MTP joint pain. These comprise high body mass index, dislocated joints to some extent, a joint's lining becoming inflamed, and erosion of joints.

• Bottom-of-foot and heel pain

PsA frequently targets the entry points in a few places like your feet's soles, ankle tendons (at the back of your heel), ribs, spine, and pelvis. Fibrosis, the medical word for this condition, causes the damaged tissue to become ropey or hard. 

• Sausage toes

When PsA affects your toe (or fingers), it swells up, resembles a sausage, and is extremely painful. Dactylitis, or sausage digits, is the medical term for this. Research indicates that PsA dactylitis typically has a more significant impact on feet than on hands and affects both feet and toes. PsA dactylitis usually occurs when PsA is more severe, and for months, this could be the only indication of PsA.

There can also be other causes for swollen toes. For instance, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory type of arthritis comparable to PsA, frequently targets the tiny joints in the feet. A big toe affected by gout may experience excruciating pain and edema. Big toe osteoarthritis (OA) can also affect the foot, causing pain and stiffness.

Why should one see a podiatrist?

Your family physician or primary care provider may refer you to a podiatrist if you have an injury or pain in the lower limb. You must see a podiatrist if you have the following conditions:

• Diabetes

Those who have diabetes may face issues such as ulcers on the feet and legs, pain, or numbness. This is often due to nerve damage in the feet or other areas. You may also need to see a neurologist and a vascular (blood vessel surgeon) for the above conditions.

• Nail infection

A podiatrist may prescribe antifungal medication for nail infections.

• Ankle and foot issues

This generally requires seeing a podiatrist and a physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon. They can diagnose the cause of the ankle or knee problem. Further, a physical therapist can help you strengthen your knee, ankle, and foot joints and muscles.

How should one prepare for the first visit to the podiatrist?

Ahead of your visit:

• Jot down a list of your symptoms and inquiries
• List all prescription drugs you are currently using and any recent procedures.
• Assemble and carry critical medical documents and laboratory test data from other physicians or facilities (including X-rays, MRIs, and lab results).
• If a recommendation is required, inquire with your insurance company.
• If you have any specific needs, please call the office before going.
• If you feel it will be beneficial, bring a friend or member of your family.

What should one expect during the first visit to a podiatrist?

During the first visit to a podiatrist, they will look at any notes made by a referring physician. They will look at the list of your current medication and want to know more about your and your family's medical history. It would help if you informed them of any recent injuries, surgeries, or relevant procedures related to your symptoms. Ensure that you carry all relevant medical documents and imaging tests.

The podiatrist will conduct a physical examination. They will ask you to stand, walk about, and perform specific tasks to check your range of motion. They will observe your joints and whether your shoes fit you properly. 

Podiatrists typically treat conditions such as ingrown toenails, bunions, heel and lower back pain, foot deformities, and circulation in the feet if you have diabetes. While the podiatrist may treat some conditions immediately, they may recommend physical therapy, padding, or orthotics for other problems. 

The podiatrist may perform different procedures depending on the illness or conditions. For example, they may use liquid nitrogen or cryotherapy to freeze off plantar warts. Further, they may administer pain medication or injections or use a nail anvil or nail splitters to remove ingrown toenails.

How can you take care of your feet at home?

Keeping your feet healthy and moving is essential no matter what age you are. People who are unable to move suffer from several physical, psychological, and social afflictions as a direct or indirect result of foot dysfunction. While visiting the best podiatrist near you is one way to keep your feet healthy, there are other ways that you can prevent foot injuries and infections and keep yourself healthy.

Here are a few ways to maintain foot health at home: 

• Buy well-fitting shoes for yourself: Improper or ill-fitting shoes may hamper your balance and the way you walk causing a foot or ankle injury. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society guidelines suggest that well-fitting shoes should ideally allow the ball of your foot to be comfortable in the broadest part of the shoe. If you like running, find the correct supportive running shoes according to your foot arch. Individuals with flat feet or feet with low arches must buy shoes that promote stability and motion control, whereas feet with high arches must wear cushioned running shoes with a soft midsole to compensate for poor shock absorption. If you enjoy wearing heels, ensure you choose sensible ones and wear them less frequently. 

• Take special care of your feet if you have diabetes: Diabetes is often associated with several foot complications, including nerve damage or neuropathy, foot ulcers, numbness, tingling sensations, and infections. These issues can lead to amputation if left untreated. Diabetic patients must examine their feet frequently to ensure there are no open wounds, cuts, or bruises. Be gentle and use lukewarm water to wash your feet. It is also crucial for people with diabetes to wear comfortable-fitting shoes and diabetic socks that can help prevent infections and improve blood flow. 

• Ensure you do a pedicure correctly: You can do your own pedicure at home or get it done at the salon. Clip your nails with toenail clippers to avoid ingrown nails, and file them gently in one direction. Gently clean out the dirt from under your nails by using a wooden or rubber manicure stick. Using extremely sharp tools may cause a cut, which can invite an unwanted foot infection. Clean your tools before and after you do a pedicure or manicure to avoid infections. People with diabetes or poor foot circulation must consult a podiatrist for a customized pedicure that you as well as your salon can follow for optimal foot health. 

How do I find the best podiatrists near me in Austin, TX?

Foot issues can have a detrimental impact on your overall health. Therefore, seeking medical care immediately before the conditions exacerbate is imperative. Zocdoc is here to make your search for the best podiatrists in Austin easy. Our website helps you search for top-rated podiatrists in Austin by mentioning your symptoms, location, preferred time, and insurance carrier. 

With Zocdoc, you get to know the practitioners better by reviewing detailed profiles with information about their education, training, experience, specialty, board affiliations, and awards. Moreover, past patients' verified reviews and ratings will help you choose the best practitioners. You can also check the languages the podiatrist speaks, their gender, and whether they treat children.

You can book online appointments before physically visiting the podiatrist. Just check for a purple button on the profiles of podiatrists who allow such video consultations.

Scheduling an appointment with the best podiatrists near you is simple and can be completed with just a few clicks. Depending on the podiatrist's availability, Zocdoc allows you to book appointments during office hours, before 10 am, after 5 pm, and even on weekends and holidays. 

Booking appointments on Zocdoc is fast, free, and secure. 

Arthritis statistics in Texas

Even though arthritis is a widespread ailment, people frequently misinterpret it. Even the slightest tasks can be difficult for almost one in five American adults with arthritis, who are not all elderly. Adults in Texas report having arthritis in 19.8% of cases.

People with severe arthritis may have trouble moving about and walking, limiting their capacity to work. Even in the states with the lowest frequency, up to one in three working-age Americans (18-64 years) with arthritis report work limits due to their condition. In the states with the highest prevalence, over half of working people with arthritis report work constraints. The complement in Texas is 38.9%.

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

Healthline

American Podiatric Medical Association

Texas Health Resources

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

American Podiatric Medical Association[1]

American Podiatric Medical Association[2]

American Medical Podiatric Association[3]

Healthline

WebMD

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.