Who is a podiatrist?
Podiatric physicians or doctors of podiatric medicine are healthcare providers who help with problems affecting the feet, lower legs, ankles, and related structures of the leg. They use "DPM," i.e., doctor of podiatric medicine, as a suffix after their names. Commonly referred to as a 'Doctor of feet,' a DPM is a specialist in preventing, diagnosing, and treating lower extremity disorders, diseases, and injuries. The United States federal government defines podiatrists as physicians.
DPMs are licensed in all 50 states and can practice in various settings, including health professions schools, municipal health departments, hospitals and extended care facilities, health maintenance organizations, and private or group medical practices.
What does a podiatrist do?
Podiatrists utilize innovative techniques and treat various ailments to improve the well-being of their patients. They are often the first to detect cardiovascular diseases or symptoms of diabetes due to the foot's interrelation with the rest of the body. Their daily responsibilities include:
- Providing consultations for the treatment of disorders and preventive foot care.
- Diagnosing foot ailments such as skin or nail diseases, fractures, ulcers, tumors, and congenital or acquired deformities, including weak feet and foot imbalance.
- Treating various conditions such as bone disorders, abscesses, cysts, shortened tendons, arch problems, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, bunions, calluses, and corns.
- Designing flexible casting for foot and ankle sprains, fractures, or other injuries to immobilize them.
- Designing corrective orthotics, strappings, and plaster casts to correct deformities.
- Correcting balance and walking patterns and improving overall ability to move comfortably and efficiently.
- Referring patients to other specialists when symptoms in the feet indicate other disorders like kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, or diabetes.
Podiatrists diagnose foot and ankle conditions via physical examination, reviewing medical history, and conducting tests. When you see a foot doctor near you, they will ask you about your symptoms and check for signs of skin discoloration or swelling. Moreover, they may conduct diagnostics like imaging tests, blood tests, quantitative sensory testing, and electromyography (EMG) to make the final diagnosis.
Training and education of podiatrists
Although doctors by qualification, podiatrists do not attend traditional medical school. They have their schools and professional associations. Aspiring podiatrists with undergraduate degrees must apply to an accredited podiatric medical college. After completing their four-year curriculum and receiving a degree in Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a new podiatric physician must participate in residency training.
Generally, states in the United States require at least two years of postgraduate residency training from an aspiring podiatric physician. A residency provides the podiatrist with an interdisciplinary experience in anesthesiology, internal medicine, infectious disease, surgery, ER, and pediatrics rotations. It also includes a competency-based combination of medical and surgical experiences.
Podiatric graduates often select a 36-month Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR). At the PSMR, the doctor receives training on rear foot and ankle surgery. Podiatric physicians also specialize in various areas, such as public health, sports medicine, and other kinds of foot care. Additionally, they can further specialize in specific fields, such as:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric care
- Orthotics
- Diabetes
- General or reconstructive surgery
- Geriatric care
- Neurologic foot conditions
- Circulatory food conditions
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
Podiatric physicians are the only doctors in the United States who receive specialized medical and surgical training and board certification in lower extremity care. While receiving formal education and training in podiatry, podiatrists study how bones, nerves, and muscles work in coordination to help you move. They receive training in performing surgery, resetting broken bones, prescribing drugs, and ordering lab tests or X-rays. They often work closely with other specialists, including surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and specialists in infectious diseases. Their study includes lessons on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the feet. In the United States, respective state governments license and regulate the work of podiatrists.
Conditions a podiatrist treats
Podiatrists care for many foot-related conditions for people of any age, including:
They frequently treat sprains and fractures in the foot or ankle. Additionally, they work in sports medicine, treating athletes' foot issues and offering guidance and advice on preventing them.
These are issues with the bones of your foot. They develop when the big toe joint at the base enlarges or becomes misaligned. Because of this, the big toe leans on the other toes. Any toe that doesn't bend properly is called a hammertoe.
These disorders include conditions like an ingrown toenail or a nail infection brought on by a fungus. An ingrown toenail is when the corner or side of a nail grows inside the toe rather than straight out.
It is a condition where your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or does not utilize it properly. Insulin aids in the digestion of sugar. Diabetes can make it difficult to get enough blood to the feet and may harm the nerves in your feet or legs.
This is a condition where your joints become inflamed, swollen, and worn out. There are 33 joints in each foot. To treat your arthritis, a podiatrist may advise physical therapy, medication, or special footwear or inserts. Surgery may also be possible if other treatments do not help you.
A podiatrist can help if your child's feet point inward, appear flat, or have misaligned toes. They might suggest stretches, orthotics, or braces. They might also advise surgery.
These are calcium deposits at the base of the heel bone and are a typical cause of heel pain. Running, wearing uncomfortable shoes, or being overweight can cause heel spurs. Achilles tendinitis also causes pain at the back of your heel. Over-the-counter pain relievers are frequently the first step in treatment. The podiatrist may also use orthotics or shoe inserts. Some patients may even require surgery.
Pain, burning, and the sensation of something in your shoe can all signal nerve issues between your foot's third and fourth bones. It typically affects athletes. Overpronation and tight shoes make it worse. A podiatrist can help you locate an orthotic and administer shots for pain and inflammation. The doctor might perform surgery to treat this nerve issue.
When to see a podiatrist?
Some health conditions can damage your feet if not appropriately and timely treated. Visit a foot doctor near you in case of foot pain, injury, or any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Numbness or tingling
- Open sore or wound
- Infection (redness, warmth, tenderness, or a fever)
- Foot pain
- Thick or discolored toenails
- Cracks or cuts in your skin
- Growths like warts
- Scaling on peeling on your soles
What does a podiatry visit look like?
During your first visit to a podiatrist, your podiatric physician will provide an individual consultation consisting of a diagnosis and treatment plan for treating your unique case.
The podiatric physician will diagnose foot ailments like tumors, ulcers, fractures, and skin or nail diseases. They will look for congenital or acquired deformities such as weak feet and foot imbalance. They will use innovative methods to treat corns, calluses, bunions, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, arch problems, shortened tendons, cysts, bone disorders, and abscesses.
The podiatric physician will design corrective orthotics, plaster casts, and strappings to correct deformities. They will develop flexible casting to immobilize foot and ankle fractures, sprains, or other injuries. They will restore walking patterns and balance and promote the ability to move more efficiently and comfortably.
Usually, podiatric physicians work independently by utilizing X-rays and laboratory tests for diagnostic purposes. However, per your unique case's requirement, the podiatric physician shall collaborate with other healthcare providers to treat and control your condition. They might also refer you to other physicians for individual consultations.
Best podiatrist near you in Baltimore, Maryland
Public Opinion Research on Foot Health and Care's 2014 survey of 1000 US Adults showed that 8 out of 10 Americans had experienced a foot problem. A foot problem can be anything from an ingrown toenail to chronic foot pain. 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis— 90% of rheumatoid arthritis's symptoms develop in the foot and ankle. Besides limiting your movement, untreated chronic foot pain can lead to psychological concerns like depression and irritability and hamper daily life. Zocdoc helps you treat your condition through podiatrist care by connecting you with the best in your area, Baltimore, Maryland.
Our comprehensive podiatry directory provides access to top-rated and experienced foot doctors near you from the comfort of your home. Podiatrists listed on Zocdoc from your area, Baltimore, Maryland, are licensed by the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners under the Maryland Department of Health. Choose from thousands of doctors based on patient ratings, patient reviews, and the doctor's education, clinical interests and specializations, practice history, and certifications. All doctor profiles of Zocdoc are verified and updated to assist you in making an informed decision.
All you need to do is include 'Podiatrist' in your search query and choose from the top podiatrist in your area. You can select multiple doctors for second opinions on your diagnosis or treatment. Once you have chosen the best podiatrist for your unique case, Zocdoc assists you in instantly booking an appointment for your first podiatric care session. All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
Statistical data on foot pain in Baltimore and Maryland state
In 1998, the Johns Hopkins University's School of Hygiene and Public Health published a study on foot pain and disability in older women from Baltimore, Maryland, in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study reported that 14% of the 1,002 studied disabled women aged 65 years and older living in Baltimore, Maryland, have experienced chronic foot pain. They defined chronic and severe foot pain as one that lasted a month or longer in the previous year.
The study also found severe foot pain more common in older women (aged 65-74 years), obese, or had osteoarthritis of the hand or knee. They found that walking speed and five repeated chair stands were slower in women experiencing foot pain. After adjustment concerning age, body mass index, race, education, smoking status, comorbidities, and the number of pain sites, they independently associated severe foot pain with increased risk for walking difficulty and disability in activities of daily living. The findings suggest that severe foot pain may play a substantial role in disability in older women.
Sources
WebMD
The Podiatry Group of South Texas
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
American Podiatric Medical Association
American Journal of Epidemiology
Healthline
Medical News Today
