Who is a podiatrist?
Any pain or foot-related conditions that are left untreated can limit your movement or cause further problems. A podiatrist is a medical expert in foot problems. They are trained to diagnose and treat problems in the feet, ankles, and adjoining structures in the lower limbs. Previously known as chiropodists, these doctors are now known as podiatrists.
To become a certified podiatrist in the USA, one must get a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from one of the nine accredited podiatry medical schools and complete mandatory hospital residency training. The DPM course is four-year, and the residency is for three years. Podiatrists can follow this up with fellowship training in sports medicine, diabetic care, pediatrics, surgery, or wound care.
Podiatrists need to be certified by one of the certifying boards in the USA, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). A podiatrist specializing in foot surgeries is certified by the ABFAS and is known as a podiatric surgeon. The state governments provide podiatric licenses, which the podiatrists must renew every few years.
What conditions do podiatrists treat?
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating most conditions of the lower limbs. Some common problems affecting this region are arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, traumatic injuries, muscle and tendon issues, disorders affecting the skin, toe joints and nerve disorders, and problems in the toenails. Conditions that podiatrists regularly treat are:
- Sprains and fractures: Sprains are common in the ankle joint. These are soft tissue injuries when ligaments holding the ankle bones together stretch or tear. Podiatrists can set fractures and write medical prescriptions for sprains.
- Feet problems due to diabetes: Feet problems are a common complication of diabetes, as patients with diabetes have impaired blood circulation and nerve damage. Slowed blood flow leads to slower healing. Nerve damage leads to decreased sensations, numbness, and the formation of ulcers in the feet.
- Arthritis: Swelling in the ankle joint due to increased fluids and joint wear and tear is known as arthritis. Podiatrists prescribe physical therapy to improve the function, drugs for relieving pain and inflammation, special shoe inserts to help with walking, or surgery if the condition worsens.
- Problems in the feet: Some issues with feet that podiatrists can treat are bunions (a bump in the bone formed at the base of the big toe), hammertoes (abnormal bend in the middle joint of the toe next to the big toe), flat feet, pain in the heels, ingrown toenails, and fungal infection in the toes.
- Neuroma: Morton's neuroma is a benign growth in the nerve tissue that forms between the third and fourth toes and causes pain and a burning sensation. Podiatrists prescribe pain medications and make referrals to orthopedic surgeons.
When should you see the best podiatrist near you?
Feet are complex structures that support our entire body weight and help us move quickly. Consult a podiatrist if you experience any of the following:
- Pain or discomfort
- Discolored or thick toenails
- Cuts or peeling of the skin
- Growths like warts
- Numbness in the toes or feet
- Open wounds
- Signs of infection (redness, warmth, pain, fever)
A podiatrist diagnoses foot problems and formulates the best treatment plan for you. These foot specialists spend years training to help you keep your feet healthy. Before going to a podiatrist, make sure that you:
- Prepare a list of your symptoms, questions, and previous medications and surgeries.
- Bring along all your previous medical records and laboratory reports.
- Call and check with your insurance provider beforehand if you require a referral to a podiatrist.
- If you use special shoes or inserts, bring them to your appointment.
What can you expect at the appointment?
The podiatrist will ask about your symptoms, medications, and medical history during your first visit. They will assess your walk, range of motion, and shoe fit. Any discomfort or visible distress to the feet and legs is also evaluated. Usually, a podiatrist will check for any discoloration, fungal growth, and other physical and visual issues before conducting tests or scans.
If further tests are required and recommended to analyze foot pain, X-rays, MRI scans, ultrasounds, nail swabs, and blood tests are conducted. Podiatrists can treat conditions like bunions and ingrown toenails in a single visit, partly due to their recurring and familiar nature.
The podiatrist will suggest physical therapy, drugs, and orthotics as part of the treatment plan. They may also use syringes, nail splitters, and other tools to treat some conditions like ingrown toenails. Many podiatrists also use cryotherapy equipment (liquid nitrogen) to freeze off plantar warts. Podiatrists might also suggest lifestyle changes if your knees, legs, or feet are suffering due to an unhealthy amount of weight or prolonged consequences of certain diseases.
How does diabetes affect feet?
Foot problems are a common issue among people who have diabetes. If you ignore these problems, you may risk losing a foot, leg, or toe to diabetes. Diabetes may cause three types of foot problems. These include the following:
- Diabetic neuropathy: Unchecked diabetes can cause nerve damage. You may experience pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in your feet. As a result, you may not feel a blister on your foot or a pebble in your sock. It could lead to sores and cuts, which can become severe infections.
- Gangrene: Diabetes also affects the blood flow to your feet. Low blood flow into the legs and feet can slow down the healing process of cuts and sores, causing serious complications. Sometimes, a severe infection may never heal and could even lead to gangrene.
If foot ulcers and gangrene do not heal with treatment, they can result in the amputation of the foot, toe, or a part of the leg. A qualified surgeon may have to perform the amputation to stop the condition from spreading to other body parts and save your life. Proper foot care is extremely crucial to prevent severe infections and gangrene.
- Charcot's foot: In rare cases, nerve damage due to diabetes can also affect the shape of your foot. The condition is called Charcot's foot. Its initial symptoms include swelling, warmth, and redness in the foot. In the later stages, bones in the toes and feet can break or shift, giving an odd shape to the foot, like a "rocker bottom."
Taking care of your feet
Podiatrists can help you create a self-care plan for your feet. The steps in your foot self-care plan may include the following:
- Wash your feet daily
- Check your feet daily
- Wear clean and comfortable shoes and socks
- Gently trim your toenails
- Gently smoothen corns and calluses
- Ensure proper blood flow to the feet
- Get your feet checked regularly at a podiatrist
Taking care of your feet every day could dramatically lower the risk of acquiring diabetes-related foot disorders. Moreover, managing your blood sugar levels can also help keep your feet healthy.
Finding the best podiatrists near you
Patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, arthritis, poor blood circulation, and a history of heart disease must see a podiatrist frequently. Although seeking treatment from a podiatrist does not require a referral, a doctor's referral helps cover the costs of the treatment. The meticulously researched database on Zocdoc can help you here.
If you live in Dallas, Texas, and want to see a podiatrist, book an appointment from the comfort of your home using Zocdoc. You only need to enter your symptoms or the specialist you want to see. Enter keywords like "podiatrist" or "feet pain" to find the right specialist to help you. You can also mention your place of residence and insurance carrier plan, and Zocdoc will list out the best podiatrists practicing in your area.
Filter these results by distance, time of day, gender, language, and whether or not the provider treats children. Each profile includes the healthcare provider's education, training, certifications, and hospital affiliations. You can also check the user-verified reviews and ratings on the website. Zocdoc lets you book online and in-person appointments with the best podiatrists near you. All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Statistics of Podiatrists and related medical conditions in Texas
The most common risk factor for foot problems is diabetes, so diabetic patients should take special care to check their feet for abnormalities and see a podiatrist immediately at the first sign of danger. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37.3 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. Of these, 8.5 million are undiagnosed, and 23% are adults. While the national average for the diabetes epidemic is 8.3%, Texas is a shocking 9.7%. In Dallas County, 11.4% of the population are diabetics, 3% higher than the national average. According to the Texas Diabetes Council, diabetics will increase to 3 million by 2040.
Data from the United Health Foundation shows that about 25.8% of adults had some form of arthritis in 2021. Moreover, about 21.3% of adults were diagnosed with arthritis in Texas alone. Podiatrists also treat sprains and fractures, primarily caused by injuries. A study by the National Institutes of Health evaluated the epidemiology of ankle fractures over five years. It was estimated that there were roughly 673,214 ankle fractures, with an incidence of 4.22 per 10,000 person-years. These numbers highlight the need for podiatrists in the medical field.
BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) reveals about 530 podiatrists in Texas. As of 2020, the Texas Health and Human Services states that there are roughly 110 podiatrists practicing in Dallas. It means that there are four podiatrists for every 100,000 people in the population.
Sources
WebMD
Healthline
American Podiatric Medical Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
North Texas Community Health Collaborative
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Institutes of Health
United Health Foundation
The Podiatry Group.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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