Who is a podiatrist?
Did you know that the feet have around 33 joints, 26 bones, and numerous ligaments, muscles, and tendons? This is why patients require a specialist like a podiatrist with in-depth knowledge of the foot's anatomy and functioning to treat it appropriately. Podiatrists are healthcare providers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and other related structures.
Podiatrists, though not medical doctors (MDs), are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine who specialize in the musculoskeletal aspect of feet and their rehabilitation, dermatology, and physical therapy. These experts strategize the prevention of foot diseases and prescribe medication; some hold licenses to perform surgeries. They work in various settings, such as private clinics or hospitals, municipal health departments, long-term care facilities, public health services, armed forces, and medical schools.
What kind of education and training do podiatrists possess?
Aspiring students must complete their graduation and join an accredited podiatric medical college. There, they study and train in a four-year-long medical program to analyze and treat foot problems of all types. While the first two years involve theoretical study and laboratory work, the next two involve clinical and hands-on training. Different settings, such as satellite or community clinics, hospitals, and podiatrists' offices, provide this training. Throughout the course, students study immunology, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. Upon completing this, aspirants receive a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree.Â
After medical school, doctors enroll in a three-year residency where they study the specialties of podiatric medicine and surgery in detail. They can specialize in orthopedics, sports medicine, podiatric pathology, biomechanics, infectious diseases, and lower extremity anatomy. They also train in ankle and rear foot surgery. Podiatrists must clear a state license examination to begin their practice.
Many podiatrists who wish to specialize must complete a fellowship focussing on specific areas. These include general or reconstructive surgery, pediatrics, orthotics, dermatology, diabetic care, and sports medicine. They can also specialize in senior care, circulatory or neurologic foot conditions, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and wound care. Podiatrists can also get board-certified once they gain clinical experience and advanced training. For this, they need to clear examinations conducted by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine or the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
What kind of conditions do podiatrists treat?
Various conditions affecting the lower limb fall under the care and expertise of a podiatrist.
These include:
- Arthritis: This includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis, which are painful joint conditions with swelling and inflammation. This disease can involve any joint but is mainly seen in small joints. Each foot has more than 30 joints, and discomfort in even one can be unbearable. Medicines and intra-articular joint injections can easily manage all types of arthritis.
- Hammer toes: A hammertoe often involves the toe beside the big toe and is characterized by an unnatural bend in the middle of the foot. It can cause stiffness in the toe, leaving it prone to calluses and corns.
- Sprains and fractures: Foot sprains and fractures, often resulting from a fall or an accident, are among the more common injuries addressed in podiatric medicine. When working with athletes and those who spend much time on their feet, foot doctors can recommend steps to avoid these injuries.
- Flat feet: In patients with flat feet, the normal arch of the foot is missing. This bend helps redistribute body weight on both feet. In some people, this condition shows minimal symptoms; in others, flat feet can cause excessive discomfort while walking. Podiatrists may recommend physical therapy and various assistive devices to correct the missing foot arch.
What is gout, and how can podiatrists treat it?
Gout encompasses various conditions triggered by an accumulation of uric acid, primarily affecting the feet, particularly the big toe joints. It is influenced by genetic factors, with numerous identified genes like SLC2A9 and ABCG2 impacting uric acid levels in the body.
Familial predisposition plays a significant role, as individuals with close relatives affected by gout are more prone to developing it. However, while genetics set the stage, environmental factors such as diet often trigger the condition.
Symptoms include swelling and pain in foot joints, especially the big toe. Gout often manifests with sudden and intense flare-ups resembling a burning sensation. Some people could have high levels of uric acid, known as asymptomatic hyperuricemia, without noticeable symptoms.
During acute gout episodes, symptoms arise swiftly due to uric acid crystal buildup. They cause severe pain, swelling, and warmth in the afflicted joint and last for three to ten days. Between episodes, patients typically remain symptom-free. Untreated gout can progress to chronic stages, forming hard lumps called tophi in and around joints, resulting in irreversible damage. Early intervention is crucial to prevent chronic gout.
Diagnosis entails a complete evaluation of medical history, physical examination, and symptom assessment. It also focuses on joint pain description, frequency of intense pain episodes, and the extent of redness and swelling. Diagnostic tests may include uric acid level checks and joint fluid analysis. Podiatrists may also recommend imaging, such as X-rays.
Podiatrists typically prefer non-surgical treatment for managing gout. However, gout can cause joint deterioration, tendon tears, and skin infections in affected joints over time. Tophi, hard deposits that can form on joints and other areas like the ears, may necessitate surgical intervention. Surgical options include tophi removal, joint fusion, and joint replacement, selected based on the extent of damage, tophi location, and patient preferences.
What should you expect on the first visit to a podiatrist near you?
If you experience symptoms or discomfort in your feet, visit a podiatrist. They will try to understand your condition by looking at any reports or notes from the referring physician. They will also inquire about your symptoms and any medications you may be taking. Further, they will examine your feet and check for skin discoloration or swelling. Your doctor will also make you walk around and move your feet to check for movement issues.
Based on your condition, your doctor will suggest additional tests if required, such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans, ultrasounds, or bone scans. You may have to revisit the podiatrist with the required reports. After diagnosing the problem, an appropriate treatment plan is formulated based on medication, physical therapy, or even surgery in severe cases.
How do you keep your feet healthy?
You can adopt and implement several methods at home to keep your feet hygienic, moving, and in optimal condition. To learn these tips, you can consult a podiatrist near you. They will typically recommend specific steps and lifestyle modifications, including:
- Wear well-fitting shoes: Improper or ill-fitting shoes can hamper your walking pattern and balance and lead to injury. A shoe that fits well should allow the ball of your foot to be comfortable in the broadest part of the shoe. Your shoes must also be appropriate for your foot shape. Persons with flat feet or feet with low arches must buy shoes that promote stability and motion control, whereas those with high-arched feet must wear cushioned running shoes with a soft midsole to compensate for poor shock absorption.
- Choose appropriate footwear for different sports: Each sport is played differently and requires specific footwear. Not only do sport-specific shoes optimize your performance, but they also help to avoid injuries such as strains, sprains, and fractures. For example, sports like basketball, tennis, and volleyball require lighter shoes with thick soles that provide support for impact.
- Get routine pedicures done at home or a salon: Follow some simple and inexpensive tips to keep your feet looking and feeling the best. Clip your nails with toenail clippers to avoid ingrown nails, and file them gently in one direction. With gentle maneuvers, clean the dirt from under your nails using a wooden or rubber manicure stick. Clean your tools before and after you do a pedicure or manicure to avoid infections. You can also opt for a salon visit to get these procedures done.
- Keep your feet dry and clean: Damp or sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis) are prone to bacterial and fungal infections. Washing your feet daily using antibacterial soap can help eliminate foul odor and dirt. You can also apply antifungal powder to keep your feet odorless and dry. Additionally, use foot cream and wear warm socks during the winter to prevent them from over-drying.
- Invest in diabetic foot care: Diabetic foot complications, including nerve damage or neuropathy, foot ulcers, numbness, tingling sensations, and infections, can lead to amputation if left untreated. Diabetic patients must check their feet daily to ensure no open wounds, cuts, or bruises exist. In such cases, one should also regularly use lukewarm water to wash their 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.
Diabetes foot care
If you have diabetes, a podiatrist can play a key role in your healthcare team. They specialize in checking your feet for any signs of diabetes-related issues.
Diabetes increases the risk of foot sores and infections, and often, foot symptoms are among the first signs of diabetes-related nerve damage. During a visit, a podiatrist will:
- Discuss any symptoms you’re experiencing and how you’re managing your blood sugar levels.
- Examine your toes, feet, and legs for any problems.
- Use different tools to touch your feet and legs to check for numbness or loss of sensation.
If they discover a diabetes-related blister or ulcer, they will:
- Assess it for signs of infection, such as discoloration, swelling, warmth, or discharge.
- Order imaging tests, like X-rays, to examine below the skin’s surface.
- Collect a skin or discharge sample to test for infection.
What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedist?
Podiatrists and orthopedists are both healthcare professionals, but they focus on different areas of expertise, even though their work may overlap in some cases.
A podiatrist is a specialist who focuses on the treatment and care of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
An orthopedist is a specialist who addresses injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including joints, muscles, soft tissues and bones. Orthopedists are trained as surgeons but can also provide non-surgical treatments when needed. Some non-surgical treatments that orthopedists offer include- joint injections like cortisone or other steroid medication, physical therapy to improve muscle strength or loosen stiff muscles, occupational therapy to help the patient perform daily tasks such as getting dressed, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy which is an investigational treatment.
The type of specialist you visit depends on the specific issue, injury, or condition you are experiencing. In some cases, you may need to consult both a podiatrist and an orthopedist.
How can you find a good podiatrist near you?
You must see a podiatrist if you have been injured or have foot pain. Other reasons to visit such a specialist include skin discoloration or recurrent foot wounds that do not heal. However, finding a good foot doctor in Chandler can be challenging. But do not worry; Zocdoc can help you here.Â
On the Zocdoc website, you can create an account in a few easy steps. Subsequently, you can thoroughly search for a podiatrist by choosing the specialty, location, date, and insurance plan. Use our built-in insurance detector if you need clarification on your insurance plan. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.
However, you can only search for and book appointments using one insurance plan at a time. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can include details about your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider during the final step of booking.
If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can also add your secondary insurance information when filling them out online. For more questions about insurance, visit Zocdoc's insurance page.
You can access every podiatrist's detailed profile, including their education and training, hospital affiliations, credentials, licenses, awards, experience, and specialty. Additionally, you may learn which languages they speak and whether they treat children.
Most importantly, each profile includes authenticated customer testimonials from past patients. You may start our easy appointment-scheduling procedure once you have zeroed in on the right podiatrist. You can then schedule an in-person visit or an online consultation by clicking on the purple video button. When booking an appointment with a podiatrist near you, you can pick a convenient time for you and your provider. You can book appointments during office hours, after 5 PM, or even on weekends.
Through Zocdoc, booking reservations is simple, safe, and cost-free!
Statistics on podiatrists and chronic conditions in Arizona
According to a May 2021 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 260 podiatrists in Arizona.
In Arizona, about 11% of the adult population was diagnosed with diabetes in 2020, according to America's Health Rankings. This was higher than the national average of 10.6%. The condition's incidence increased with age, with around 21.4% of those 65 and above being affected by diabetes. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (14.4%) and those aged 18 to 44 (3.4%). The incidence of diabetes was higher in men (12.2%) than women (9.8%) in the state. People with diabetes are prone to non-healing foot ulcers and gangrene, warranting the best foot care.
Additionally, according to America's Health Rankings, about 22.8% of adults in Arizona were diagnosed with some form of arthritis in 2020. Women (27.2%) were more likely to develop the condition than men (18.2%). Arthritis incidence also increased with age, with nearly 47.2% of those aged 65 and above suffering from the disease. The percentage was lower in those aged 45 to 64 (28.6%) and those aged 18 to 44 (6.4%).
Sources
ExploreHeathCareers
American Podiatric Medical Association[1]
Medical News Today
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
Island Foot Clinics
American Podiatric Medical Association[2]
American Podiatric Medical Association[3]
American Podiatric Medical Association[4]
American Podiatric Medical Association[5]
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
WebMD
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Cleveland Clinic
