Who is a podiatrist?
Our feet are an essential body part that must last a lifetime. They act as shock absorbers, supporting our body weight and movement and playing an instrumental role in maintaining overall health and well-being. The American Podiatric Medical Association states that most Americans complete up to 75,000 miles on their feet by age 50. Therefore, maintaining healthy feet is essential to keeping up with the pace and changing lifestyle.
Regular check-ups, diagnoses, and medical interventions can prevent or lessen most foot and ankle problems. A podiatrist or a foot doctor is a qualified physician and surgeon who treats a variety of foot and ankle ailments and issues related to the structure of the lower leg.
What does a podiatrist do?
A podiatrist holds a pivotal role within the healthcare team, utilizing their skills to identify whether specific conditions have a causal connection with symptoms in the feet or legs.
On a regular day, a podiatrist's role may be to:
- Diagnose foot conditions, like fractures, skin or nail disorders, tumors, ulcers, and congenital or acquired deformity, such as weak feet or foot imbalance.
- Provide consultations/follow-ups to patients discussing the continued treatment of ailments and preventive foot care.
- Treat conditions such as abscesses, arch problems, bone disorders, bunions, calluses, corns, cysts, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, and shortened tendons.
- Design corrective orthotics or braces, plaster casts, and strappings to rectify deformities or make flexible casting for impairment due to ankle and foot fractures, sprains, or other injuries.
- Rectify walking patterns and balance, and encourage the ability to move more comfortably and efficiently.
- Refer their patients to other specialists when signs or symptoms in the feet signify conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease
Education and training of podiatrists
Admission to podiatric medicine programs requires three years of undergraduate education in healthcare, biology, or physical science. Applicants to Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) schools must submit their scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). During their DPM degree, podiatric medical students gain supervised experience while completing clinical rotations in medical school. The DPM degree program usually takes four years to complete and must be acquired from colleges of podiatric medicine that the Council on Podiatric Medical Education accredits.
After obtaining their DPM, podiatrists may choose to complete the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR) program. This program allows individuals to acquire knowledge and skills in managing medical and surgical illnesses. A podiatrist can then undertake additional training in specific fellowship areas, such as podiatric wound care, diabetic foot care, or limb preservation.
Finally, they must be licensed to practice as podiatrists in any state. Podiatrists can earn board certification with clinical experience and advanced training and ultimately take an exam administered by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
When should you consult a podiatrist near you?
Feet possess complex anatomical structures comprising ligaments, tendons, 33 joints, 26 bones, and over a hundred muscles. You must consult a podiatrist if you are experiencing any issues such as joint pain, heel or ankle pain, sports injury, or issues related to your skin. Diabetes, obesity, and other underlying health conditions can also cause foot and leg problems, which podiatrists can treat.
Some common and significant conditions treated by podiatrists are:
- Arthritis: Inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the joints leads to swelling and increased fluid accumulation in the affected area. Each foot comprises 33 joints, which can be afflicted with arthritis.
- Gout: When excess uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, they cause an inflammatory form of arthritis called Gout.
- Charcot foot: Charcot foot is a severe but rare complication in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It damages the bones, joints, and associated soft tissues in the heel and ankle area.
- Diabetic wound care: Foot ulcers due to diabetes are open sores commonly located at the bottom of the foot.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Blocked or narrowed arteries cause PAD in the legs through the build-up of fatty deposits, which results in the thickening and hardening of the arteries.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Peripheral nerves in our toes and fingertips, and diabetes can, in some cases, cause damage to them.
- Bursitis: Bursitis is a disorder where the bursae, tiny fluid-filled sacs surrounding the bones, muscles, and tendons of your joints, become inflamed and swollen.
- Haglund's deformity: It is a deformity that causes the heel bone's back end to enlarge, causing severe pain.
- Tendinitis: It is the inflammation of the tendon that causes pain in the foot or ankle.
- Sever's disease: A condition usually seen among kids who play soccer or basketball, Sever's disease occurs when the heel's growth plate becomes inflamed due to overuse.
- Athlete's foot: It is a typical fungal infection that affects the skin area of the lower feet.
- Corns and calluses: They are caused by rubbing excess pressure against part of the foot. The skin around the area of irritation thickens and grows inward.
- Psoriasis: In people with psoriasis, new skin cells move rapidly to the surface, and the dead cells build up as dry, whitish-silver patches.
- Sweaty feet: Hyperhidrosis, or sweaty feet, is a condition that causes excessive foot sweating.
- Warts: Soft tissue infections caused by a virus; warts can be painful and appear on any skin part.
- Bunions: A bunion forms when tissue or bone near the big toe joint shifts out of place. This movement results in the enlargement of the big toe joint.
- Hammer toes: A deformity causes the toes to curl or bend downwards instead of pointing forward.
- Neuromas: They are benign nerve tissue growths, mainly between the third and fourth toes. They are also called " pinched nerves " and are painful.
- Ingrown toenails: It is the most common nail impairment in which the corner of the nails digs painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, leading to redness, irritation, and swelling.
- Toenail fungus: An infection caused by fungi can occur underneath the surface of a nail and lead to toenail fungus. It can cause the nail's quality and color to change.
How to prepare for a podiatrist appointment?
Once you book an appointment with a podiatrist near you, take some time to prepare for the visit. Why is it essential to do so? Firstly, it will help your podiatrist understand your situation better and provide you with relevant treatment options. Secondly, going prepared will put you at ease and help you focus on getting the most out of your consultation. That being said, here are four things you can do to have a productive podiatrist appointment:
- Write down your symptoms: Before your visit, take your journal or smartphone and jot down your foot symptoms, along with details such as when you first noticed them, what triggers them, and whether you have tried any past treatments. You must provide as much information as possible to ensure the podiatrist can make an accurate diagnosis.
- Carry your medical records: In addition to a thorough symptoms discussion, the podiatrist will review your complete medical history. You must share details of your health conditions, injuries, surgeries, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Additionally, carry copies of recent lab work and imaging test results.
- Record your questions: Whether you need to better understand your condition or discuss preventative foot care, it is a good idea to ask your podiatrist. Jot down your queries and bring them up during the appointment to get advice tailored to your unique situation.
- Gather crucial documents and arrive early: Prepare to arrive at least 10-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete initial paperwork and other onboarding formalities. Carry your photo ID, insurance card, personal and emergency contact information, and doctor's referral letter.
How can you keep your feet healthy?
Like any other body part, your feet are just as important. They hold all the weight of your body while being crammed up in socks and shoes as you move about all day. You must ensure your feet are hygienic and well-maintained. Here are a few essential tips to care for your feet:
- Check them regularly for sores, infected toenails, cuts, and swelling.
- Clean them daily in warm water. Avoid soaking your feet for too long, as they may become dry.
- Lather your feet with moisturizer or petroleum jelly. Avoid putting the lotion between your toes, as the skin needs to be dry to prevent infection.
- Do not stuff your feet in tight-fitting shoes.
- Wear different pairs of shoes daily. You could rotate a couple of pairs alternatively.
- Trim your toenails when they grow too long. File the corners to smoothen the nails. It will prevent the nail from protruding into your skin.
- You do not need treatment for mild calluses or corn. However, you must wear thick socks, use a pumice stone on the callus while showering, and apply corn pads on them, among other measures. If you are experiencing pain from the corns or calluses, visit a podiatrist near you.
- If you have sweaty feet, wash them with antibacterial soap daily. Dry them and sprinkle cornstarch or antifungal powder on them.
- If you experience foot odor, wash and dry your feet regularly with mild soap in warm water. Dust your feet with non-medicated footpowder or baby powder.
- If you suffer from warts, do not treat them yourself. Instead, visit a podiatrist near you. The doctor may use a laser to remove the warts, conduct a minor surgery, or prescribe a topical.
An orthopedist is a medical physician who maintains bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons throughout the body, including the ankle and foot. In contrast, a podiatrist is a medical doctor focusing strictly on ankle and foot care.
Both orthopedists and podiatrists manage ankle and foot areas concerning the bones, joints, and soft tissues. They conduct many of the same ankle and foot procedures. They are highly experienced and qualified to treat them surgically and non-surgically. The only noticeable difference between an orthopedist and a podiatrist is that the latter also concern themselves with the biomechanics and dermatology of the ankle and foot.
For example, a podiatrist is typically an indispensable healthcare provider for diabetic people with severe concerns about their foot health. However, an orthopedic should be your go-to for rescue when you have broken bones, fractures, or pain in those areas.
An additional noteworthy distinction is that orthopedists often handle a broader range of musculoskeletal issues beyond the ankle and foot, making them a comprehensive option for various orthopedic concerns.
Finding the best podiatrists near you in El Paso, TX
If you suffer from calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, arthritis, or arch problems, visit a foot doctor as soon as possible. However, finding one that meets your requirements and is near you might be challenging. With Zocdoc, you can locate some of the best foot doctors near you in El Paso, Texas, from the comfort of your home.
To begin, create a free account on Zocdoc and choose the condition or specialty, location, preferred appointment date, and insurance plan. You will receive a comprehensive list based on your search criteria. If you need clarification about your insurance plan's coverage, use the Zocdoc insurance detector.
You might be wondering, "I do not have insurance coverage. Can I still book appointments via Zocdoc?" Let us assure you that you absolutely can. In the insurance drop-down, select "I'm paying for myself," thus acknowledging your readiness to bear out-of-pocket expenses. Zocdoc will match you with suitable providers who accept patients without health plans. You can go through our patient help center page for more insurance-related information.
Each listed provider has a detailed profile, including a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice locations, visit reasons, and, most importantly, patient reviews and ratings. You can also filter your results by hospital affiliations, gender, languages they speak, and whether or not they treat children.
Once you have picked the right podiatrist near you, you can book an appointment based on their availability. Zocdoc allows you to book virtual appointments before in-person visits to understand your foot doctor better. To do so, look for a purple video icon on their profiles or filter the video appointment selection.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free.
Podiatry statistics for Texas and the USA
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the U.S. population comprises seniors and an aging population. As a result, people with mobility issues and foot-related conditions related to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity will continue to increase, and there will be a demand for podiatrists in the coming years. The May 2021 Occupational Employment Statistics data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that podiatrists' employment would grow by 2% from 2021 to 2031. Although the growth rate for podiatrists is slower than the average for all occupations, there are still projected to be around 300 job openings annually for them over the next decade.
Data synthesized by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that over 54 million American adults (22.7%) between the years 2013 and 2015 had reported having some form of arthritis, Gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. Approximately one in six adults in every state was affected by arthritis, and women were more prevalent than men.
According to America's Health Rankings data, in 2020, approximately 20.9% of adults in Texas reported having arthritis. Its prevalence increased with age; of these adults, 49.6% were over 65, and 27.6% were between 45 and 64. The data also showed that arthritis was more common among women than men in the state, with 25.1% of females suffering from it compared to only 16.4% of males.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2021, there were approximately 8,840 active podiatrists in the country. Texas was one of the states with the highest number of podiatrists, with 530 total.
Sources
American Podiatric Medical Association
Texas Health Resources
South Shore Health
Healthline
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
America's Health Rankings
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence
WebMD
Joint Replacement Institute
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