Who is a podiatrist?
Podiatrists are foot specialists who effectively diagnose and treat conditions in the feet, ankle, and all the adjoining regions of the feet. They are known as Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
How does one become a podiatrist?
Podiatrists train for four years in podiatric medical school. There are a total of 9 accredited podiatric medical schools in the USA. After podiatric medical school, podiatrists complete a three-year residency in hospitals and clinics. The residency is called a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR). A minimum of 2 years of residency is mandatory to sit for the board exam in the USA and become board-certified. Some podiatrists study further and complete fellowships in various specialties of podiatry.
The American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) are the official certifying boards for podiatrists in the USA.
What do podiatrists specialize in?
Some podiatrists specialize in a specific subset of medicine such as sports medicine (this concentrates on diagnosing and treating all the sports injuries on legs), pediatrics (pediatric podiatrists specialize in treating conditions affecting children's feet and legs such as flat feet, ingrown nails, crossover toes, growth plate injuries, bunions, and athlete's foot), radiology (podiatric radiologists use X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds, and nuclear medicine for diagnosing injuries and diseases of the legs and feet), and diabetic foot care (podiatrists specializing in diabetes help in caring for the feet and recognizing the first signs of blisters and ulcers).
Common feet problems
Some of the common issues that affect our feet and toes are corns and calluses (hardening of the skin of the feet due to friction and pressure), bunions (bump at the base of the big toe that pushes against the second toe), warts (fleshy growth on the skin caused by papillomavirus), infections in the nails and feet, flat feet (a condition with minimal or no arch in the feet), heel spurs (bony growth on the heels caused by ill-fitting shoes), hammer toes (an abnormal bend in the middle joint of the second toe), neuromas (thickening of the nerve tissue around the digital nerve leading to extreme pain), arthritis, sprains and fractures of the lower limbs, and traumatic and sports-related injuries in the feet.
Risk factors for feet issues
Some reasons that can accelerate the chances of one developing problems in the feet are diabetes, obesity, arthritis, previous history of heart disease, high cholesterol, and history of stroke.
Patients with diabetes have impaired blood circulation, which can cause slower healing of cuts and wounds. Increased blood glucose levels in diabetes also lead to nerve damage (neuropathy), reduced foot sensation, and numbness. Decreased sensitivity can prevent patients from realizing cuts and blisters that form on the feet and frequently develop into diabetic foot ulcers. Some common symptoms of diabetic foot complications are dry skin, formation of calluses on the skin, cracks on toenails, smelly feet, pain and tenderness in the feet, numbness or tingling sensations, and ulcers.
Arthritis results in swelling of the lining tissues in the joints and fluids in the joint space; the wear and tear of the joints make them more prone to foot issues. A previous history of heart disease and increased cholesterol in the blood compromise blood circulation, increasing the chances of forming ulcers in the feet.
When should one see a podiatrist?
Our feet are complex structures that work and serve us for a lifetime. Hence, it is crucial to pay attention to all warning signs. Some of these red flags are pain in any part of your legs while performing day-to-day physical activities, tingling or loss of ability to feel hot or cold sensations, any growth on the feet or toenails, formation of bruises and ulcers, change in the shape of the feet and toes, and any signs of bacterial or fungal infections such as redness, pain, warmth, or swelling in the feet.
How do I prepare for my first podiatrist visit?
Are you seeing a podiatrist for the first time? Do not worry. Here are some tips that will help you make the most out of your appointment with the best podiatrist near you:
- Before you visit: Make a list of your symptoms, medications, previous surgeries, if any, and questions you would like to ask your doctor. Be sure to take all your essential medical documents and laboratory test reports from other physicians or hospitals for the appointment. Check with your medical insurer to see if a referral is necessary. If you have specific needs regarding your medical condition, call the office ahead of time and let them know. Also, consider taking along a family member or a friend; it may be helpful. Lastly, carry your walking shoes/stick if your problem is related to walking or exercising; the doctor may want to examine them.
- Preparing for a virtual visit: If you opted for an online consultation, ensure you are acquainted with the software being used and have tested it on your device before your appointment to assure compatibility. Install any programs or other software that may be required. Check that your microphone and camera are both functional and you are knowledgeable about their capabilities, especially how to switch between the front and rear cameras if required. Log in a few minutes early. Use a well-lit space so the doctor can observe your foot. If you face difficulties with technology, feel free to ask for assistance from other people. You could also ask someone else to hold the camera to help show your foot in a better position and make the gait exam easier.
- During your visit: Listen carefully to the doctor and take notes if required. Do not forget to go over your list of questions. Ask for further explanation if you do not understand any responses. Discuss your symptoms, recent medicines, and changes you may have noticed. You can ask them why certain medications have been prescribed and how to take them. Talk about your allergies, if any. Also, inform your podiatrist if you are expecting or trying to conceive. Let them know if you are seeking treatment from other doctors.
- After your visit: Inquire about the tests that need to be done, the potential side effects of tests, the time it takes for results to be released, and when and how you'll have access to them. Schedule a follow-up appointment before you leave your doctor's office if necessary.
How does diabetes affect the foot?
Prolonged high blood sugar levels harm blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow to organs, which can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, vision issues, and foot health problems.
Here are some foot problems that people with diabetes may experience:
- Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetics who do not take their medication or are unable to control their blood sugar levels are at higher risk of peripheral vascular disease. This condition happens when fatty deposits narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow, specifically to hands and feet, leading to pain, infections, and slow wound healing. Over time, this can damage nerves and cause numbness in the feet, making it difficult to feel irritation, soreness, or infection. This may increase the risk of cuts, sores, and blisters going unnoticed and can also delay treatment for infections.
- Blisters: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing blisters due to diabetic neuropathy, making it harder to detect ill-fitting shoes and altering the way they move, leading to blisters. Additionally, some people with diabetes may experience spontaneous blister formation due to a condition called bullous diabeticorum. These blisters can cause pain and infection, spreading throughout the body.
- Diabetic ulcers: Untreated foot ulcers caused by poor circulation and nerve damage can become severe, leading to infection and making walking painful. Calluses increase the risk of ulcers and infections, so eliminating them when necessary and keeping feet clean is important. Shoes and socks may intensify ulcer symptoms.
- Foot infections: Diabetic ulcers are prone to infections, especially if not treated or cleaned regularly. Such infections can spread to the bloodstream and damage vital organs, risking the patient's life. Foot infections can also harm the underlying structures of the foot, including the bones. Additionally, poor circulation can cause damage to the underlying structures, leading to altered foot shape and consequent pain and difficulty in walking. This condition, called Charcot's foot, can increase the risk of developing more ulcers.
- Amputation: Amputation may be necessary to prevent infections and minimize damage. It involves removing a part of the body, such as a toe, foot, or leg portion. Diabetes is a major cause of amputations.
- Death: Severe diabetic foot problems can be life-threatening, particularly when an infection spreads. Even if a doctor amputates the foot to prevent the infection from spreading, foot problems that require amputation are a major risk factor for death.
Simple steps to care for your feet
One can follow many steps at home to care for the feet and keep track of any problems in this region. It is essential to wash your feet daily with only warm water and dry them thoroughly before applying any moisturizing lotion. Avoid using the lotion between the toes, which leads to moisture accumulation. Check your feet daily for unwanted changes such as redness, blisters, corns, and calluses. Cut and trim your toenails, and watch out for any growth under the nails.
Choosing the right shoes and frequently changing them keeps your feet healthy in the long run. While it is essential to select well-fitted shoes that can be comfortably worn for a lasting period, slowly breaking into new shoes prevents any unnecessary bruises.
To maintain good blood flow through the feet, keep them elevated and wiggle them frequently. Choosing foot-friendly outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking helps keep the feet warm and healthy.
The best tip is never to neglect any changes on your feet and make regular appointments with a podiatrist with complete training and experience in diagnosing and treating all foot problems.
Choosing the best podiatrist near you in Denver
According to an article by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), by the time most Americans turn 50, they will have walked almost 75,000 miles. As feet are so dynamic in function and crucial for our everyday movements, it is essential to have the best specialists care for them. Finding the best podiatrist practicing near your house is very simple when using the Zocdoc platform.
Once you type your problem and place of residence, for example, "foot ulcers" and "Denver," Zocdoc directs you to a list of podiatrists specializing in caring for foot ulcers and practicing in Denver. Every podiatrist has a separate profile with all the necessary information, such as qualifications, certifications, accreditation, affiliations, awards, and meticulously verified patient stories.
Zocdoc also includes a list of insurance carriers a podiatrist accepts for consultations and treatment. You can select your preferred carrier from a simple drop-down menu and find out if the podiatrist you like is in that network.
Zocdoc makes booking appointments with the best podiatrist near you fast, free, and secure!
Arthritis statistics in Denver
Arthritis is one of the common risk factors responsible for several foot problems. As per a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis in Colorado was 21.8% in 2015, and the crude percentage for Denver County stood at 18.5%.
As per the Arthritis Foundation, by 2040, 78.4 million American adults will have been diagnosed with arthritis. It is a 49% increase and includes 25.9% of all adults in the USA.
Sources
Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence
Medical News Today
WebMD
American Podiatric Medical Association[1]
American Podiatric Medical Association[2]
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Arthritis Foundation
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