Who are podiatrists, and what do they do?
Podiatrists are medical specialists in podiatric medicine. They are healthcare experts who specialize in treating problems of the body's lower extremities, including the foot, ankles, and associated leg tissues.
Podiatrists are independent practitioners who diagnose conditions using X-rays, lab testing, and medical tools, administer prescriptions, oversee physical therapy, and set fractures. As healthcare team members, podiatrists work closely alongside other medical professionals to treat and manage diseases.
There are several settings where podiatrists practice. Some common examples are:
- Private or group medical practices
- Health maintenance organizations
- Hospitals
- Extended care facilities
- Public health services
- Armed forces
- Department of veterans affairs
- Municipal health departments
- Health professions schools
What are the educational qualifications of podiatrists?
Podiatrists do not attend traditional medical schools. Instead, they go to podiatry-specific institutions and professional organizations. There, they finish a four-year training program. They receive the title "Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)" rather than "Medical Doctors (MDs)."
After that, they enroll in hospital residency training for three years. Once they finish their residency, podiatrists can acquire additional foot and ankle surgery certifications. The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine are the certification organizations for the discipline. Podiatrists in the United States are subject to state government licensing and regulation.
What are the various podiatry subspecialties?
Podiatrists have the option to specialize in various subspecialties within their field, offering specialized care and expertise:
1. Podiatric orthopedics: This subspecialty focuses on treating foot abnormalities through the use of orthotics, prosthetics, and appropriate footwear.
2. Podiatric diabetology: Podiatrists in this field specialize in the care of diabetic patients, focusing on the unique foot-related concerns associated with diabetes.
3. Podiatric sports medicine: These specialists cater to athletes, addressing sports-related foot and ankle injuries and conditions.
4. Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery: Also known as consultant podiatric surgery, this subspecialty involves surgical interventions to correct various foot and ankle issues.
5. Gerontological podiatry: Concentrating on the foot conditions of the elderly, gerontological podiatrists provide specialized care for aging patients.
6. Podiatric vascular specialist: Experts in circulation disorders related to the lower extremities, these podiatrists address issues affecting blood flow in the feet and ankles.
7. Podopediatrics: Focusing on pediatric podiatry, these specialists cater to the unique needs of children's foot health.
8. Dermatological podiatry: Specializing in skin disorders, dermatological podiatrists treat various skin-related conditions affecting the feet.
9. Diagnostic podoradiology: These experts are skilled in foot and ankle radiology, using imaging techniques to diagnose and assess conditions.
10. Podiatric rheumatology: This subspecialty deals with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as other autoimmune diseases that impact the foot and ankle.
11. Podiatric oncology: Specialists in this field diagnose and treat skin cancers related to the lower extremities.
12. Forensic podiatry: These podiatrists study footprints and shoe prints to assist in crime scene investigations.
13. Neuro-podiatry: Neuropodiatrists offer specialized care for nerve disorders affecting the feet.
Podiatrists may choose to pursue one of these subspecialties, offering in-depth knowledge and expertise in a specific area of foot and ankle health.
Conditions that podiatrists treat
Podiatrists are adept at treating conditions in people of any age. Some of these conditions are:
- Nail disorders: These can include multiple types of conditions like infections or ingrown toenails. The doctor can prescribe medicine to treat your foot pain due to a general health issue. Moreover, you could require antifungal treatment in case of severe nail infection.
- Gout and arthritis: These cause immense pain in your feet and toes. Since they are not self-healing, gout and arthritic symptoms need medical treatment and care.
- Flat feet: If you have flat feet and weak or damaged foot ligaments, wearing orthotics, such as a foot brace or arch support, can be beneficial. When you visit a podiatrist, they might take molds of your feet to make specific foot support braces for you.
- Diabetes: It causes nerve damage in the feet and surrounding areas, leading to pain, discomfort, and ulcers in the region. It is imperative to get help in such cases. While you may see a general practitioner for diabetes, podiatrists can manage symptoms of diabetes occurring in the lower extremities.
- Problems related to ankle and knee: General problems in these areas necessitate consultation with a podiatrist. However, in some unique cases, they may collaborate with a sports medicine physician or an orthopedic surgeon to provide long-term physical treatment. It will strengthen the muscles as well as the joints in your foot, ankle, and knee.
If you have any of the above conditions, it will help to visit the best podiatrist near you.
How do podiatrists diagnose and treat patients?
Any pain or foot injury might require a visit to a general practitioner and a podiatrist. While examining your foot, they can determine the cause behind the discomfort. They may recommend a few tests to reach a more accurate diagnosis, in case needed. These foot pain examinations and scans usually include:
- Blood test
- Nail swab
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- MRI scan
Podiatrists will ask questions about your medical history, medicines, and past treatments. Next, they will examine your posture, movement, and joint mobility range. The podiatrist will then address any problems, illnesses, or wounds you may have. Usually, they treat all these issues on the first visit itself.
Several issues are manageable in the podiatrist's office. They might suggest orthotics, padding, or physical therapy to solve these problems. They can also administer medicines via syringes and remove ingrown toenails with nail splitters or a nail anvil. If you have plantar warts, the doctor will use cryotherapy based on liquid nitrogen to freeze them.
How do you decide whether you need a podiatrist or an orthopedist?
Differentiating between podiatrists and orthopedists is vital, as they serve distinct roles in medical specialization.
A podiatrist specializes in foot and ankle health and excels in foot and ankle surgeries. While some orthopedic physicians can perform such procedures, a podiatrist's specialized knowledge ensures the best outcomes, especially when it involves surgery.
On the other hand, an orthopedist, also known as an orthopedic doctor, is a specialist physician who deals with diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and injuries affecting the entire musculoskeletal system. This encompasses ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, and other connective tissues.
If your injury or condition pertains to any part of your musculoskeletal system apart from the feet and ankles, an orthopedic doctor is the appropriate choice. They treat a wide range of problems, including ligament tears, fractures, sprains, spinal disc injuries, arthritic joint damage, and sports injuries.
Orthopedists often have subfields of expertise, such as spine, upper extremity, pediatrics, sports medicine, and others. Some orthopedists are specialized surgeons capable of performing intricate procedures like ligament repairs and joint replacements.
Tips for locating the best podiatrists near you in Elizabeth, New York
Like other body organs, your feet are intricate structures that require care and attention. Suppose you are experiencing growths like warts or thick or discolored toenails. In that case, it is time to see a trustworthy podiatrist immediately. But how to find such qualified doctors in Elizabeth, New York? The answer is simple: use Zocdoc!
Begin with signing up for a free Zocdoc account and logging in. Enter ‘podiatrist,’ location, and the time you would like to schedule an appointment. You will have a list of the top podiatrists nearby within minutes. Zocdoc allows you to refine your results further using advanced filters such as gender, spoken languages, or hospital affiliation. Moreover, the Zocdoc insurance finder will help you locate podiatrists who accept your insurance.
Every healthcare provider has a unique profile on Zocdoc. You can use them to learn more about the podiatrist's credentials, education, specialties, accreditations, awards, and board certification. Read ratings and verified reviews from previous patients to determine which podiatrist will be an ideal fit for your condition.
Additionally, Zocdoc allows you to book both online and in-person appointments. The purple icon on a doctor's profile indicates that they accept video consultations. Some doctors are available for your convenience on weekends and after business hours.
Lastly, booking appointments with the best podiatrists near you on Zocdoc is quick, safe, and 100% cost-free, which makes it the ideal platform to book all your medical appointments!
Statistics related to podiatry in New Jersey
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Jersey had about 370 podiatrists as of May 2021.
When it comes to arthritis, it's not just one illness; it's a term that covers more than 100 different disorders. All these conditions cause joint pain and stiffness that a podiatrist can treat. It makes it difficult even to move around, sit, stand, hold things, and participate in social activities with such conditions.
According to America's Health Rankings, in 2021, roughly 28.4% of people in New Jersey said they had arthritis. According to a gender analysis of the data, the condition's incidence was higher in women (27.1%) than in men (18.4%).
The disease diabetes affects foot health both directly and indirectly. Thus, foot problems are common in those who have diabetes. The New Jersey State Health Assessment Data presents recently updated (2023) critical data concerning diabetes in New Jersey. The age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was around 8.5% in 2020 in the state. However, it was somewhat lower than the age-adjusted rate in the United States, which was almost 10%.
Sources
WebMD
American Podiatric Medical Association
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Healthline
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America's Health Rankings
New Jersey State Health Assessment Data
Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care
Verywell Health
