Who is a podiatrist? What is the training they undergo?
A podiatrist is a healthcare specialist who can diagnose, treat, and prevent medical conditions and injuries that majorly impact the lower extremities of your body, such as the feet and ankles. They treat many diseases, such as inflammation due to arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, and structural foot abnormalities like hammertoes, flat feet, and high arches. They can also treat skin problems on the feet like warts, corn, plantar dermatosis, and athlete's foot.
While most podiatrists treat various general foot conditions, they can specialize in specific podiatric medicines such as diabetes, pediatric care, neurological foot conditions, circulatory foot conditions, and autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
Podiatrists go through extensive training before they start treating people. Once they complete high school and college, they pursue doctorate degrees from accredited institutions of podiatric medicine. Their training primarily focuses on treating the lower extremities. They also have extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. They gain hands-on experience during their residencies in hospitals and healthcare clinic settings. After training, podiatrists must pass a series of board certification exams. Once they complete the training and licensure procedure, they will have DPM written after their name, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
How do podiatrists diagnose and approach treatment?
Podiatrists usually begin treatment by taking your medical history and asking about your symptoms. Once they have this information, they will perform an essential physical examination of your foot or lower leg. While examining, they will look for visible signs like inflammation or skin discoloration. They might also ask you to walk around or move your feet and toes.
They may recommend additional tests before making a final diagnosis. Podiatrists typically use the following diagnostic tools.
- Imaging tests include X-rays, ultrasounds, bone scans, and CT and MRI scans. These tests reveal bone fractures, narrow vessels, and other structural problems.
- Blood tests to detect inflammation or infections
Podiatrists use quantitative sensory testing to record how well your nerves perceive changes in temperature and vibrations using a specialized computer system. They use this test to diagnose neuropathy caused by diabetes, hypersensitivity, and other foot-related nerve disorders.
The specialists also use electromyography (EMG) to measure how well your muscles respond to nerve impulses. Abnormal EMGs suggest a nerve problem, and your podiatrists can guide you with the treatment.
After the podiatrist has diagnosed your problem, they can make a customized treatment plan for you. They can also work with other specialists or a healthcare team; depending on the type and severity of your condition, podiatrists can provide treatments such as:
- Setting up fractured bones
- Prescribing medications like pain relievers, antibiotics, and antifungals
- Administering joint injections
- Prescribing corrective footwear whenever required
- Installing orthotic devices such as insoles and braces to correct deformities
Apart from these, the podiatrist near you can also perform various surgical procedures to treat inflamed tendons or ligaments, fix broken bones, heal bunions, remove bone spurs and tumors, and debridement of damaged, infected, or dead tissues. They can also correct structural causes of pain or discomfort, such as hammertoes and flat feet.
How should you prepare for your first podiatrist appointment?
Now that you know what to expect during podiatrist visits, take some time to understand how you can prepare to have a successful consultation. Here's a comprehensive list of things you must do before you leave for your appointment:
- Write down your symptoms: The podiatrist near you will ask you to describe your symptoms, so you must keep all related information ready. Relying solely on memory can lead to missing valuable details, so consider making notes in your journal or smartphone. You must jot down details of your symptoms, including their timeline, severity, triggers, and past treatments.
- Gather documents: If it's your first visit, carry your photo ID card, insurance card, and doctor's referrals to complete the paperwork. Secondly, remember to take along your medical records, copies of diagnostic reports, and information on recent injuries, surgeries, and allergies.
- Bring all medications: Whether you take prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements, carry a list for the provider's reference.
- Wear everyday footwear: The podiatrist may want to check the shoes you use daily to determine if they are causing you discomfort or triggering your concerns. So, it is a good idea to wear them for your appointment. If you exercise or play sports, carry along your trainers, too. Do you use orthotics or walking devices? Take them along, too!
- Dress comfortably: Wear athletic clothing such as a T-shirt, shorts, or track pants to ensure comfort during the physical examination.
- Avoid makeup and skip cosmetic treatments: Do not wear nail polish or take up pedicure treatment before your appointment, as it will make it hard for the podiatrist near you to examine your nails or collect samples for accurate diagnosis.
- Prepare a list of questions: Whether you need more clarity on your treatment options, want to learn about foot hygiene practices, or wish to understand the best foods for healthy feet, feel free to bring up all your queries during your consultation. Your podiatrist will patiently listen to you and provide satisfactory answers.
How does diabetes affect feet?
Foot problems are a common issue among people who have diabetes. If you ignore the symptoms, 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 blood flow to the feet. Low blood flow into the legs and feet can slow down the healing of wounds, 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 the foot an odd shape, 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:
- 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 routinely by a podiatrist near you
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.
5 rare foot conditions and their symptoms
1. Kohler’s disease
Kohler’s disease is a bone condition seen in children involving the navicular bone on the top of the foot. It occurs when this bone briefly loses its blood supply. The exact reason behind it isn’t completely understood, but stress-related pressure on developing bones is thought to play a part.
Symptoms:
- Limping, typically affecting just one foot
- Swelling in the affected foot
- Most common in children ages 3 to 7
Thankfully, almost all children outgrow Kohler’s disease within two years. If you notice these symptoms in your child, consider consulting a podiatrist. The positive news is that this condition usually doesn’t cause long-term problems.
2. Freiberg disease
Also known as Freiberg infraction, Freiberg disease is an uncommon foot issue that flattens the toe joints and can lead to arthritis. It often affects teenage girls during growth spurts but can also develop due to factors like injury, diabetes, blood clots, or circulation problems.
Symptoms:
- Gradual pain and swelling in the affected toe
- Feeling like you’re walking on a stone
- Pain that worsens when walking or wearing high heels
- The affected toe may sit higher than usual
- Limited or no movement in the affected toe
Early diagnosis can lessen discomfort. Treatment can range from non-surgical methods to surgery, depending on how severe the condition is.
3. Buerger’s disease
Buerger’s disease impacts blood vessels in the arms and legs, causing inflammation that reduces blood flow. In serious cases, this can damage tissue or lead to tissue decay. While its exact cause isn’t fully understood, it’s strongly linked to tobacco use.
Symptoms:
- Toes that look pale, red, or blue
- Cold sensations in the hands or feet
- Burning or tingling in the hands and feet
- Small but painful sores on the fingers or toes
There’s no cure, but completely avoiding tobacco products can help stop it from getting worse. Certain treatments may help manage the symptoms.
4. Charcot’s foot
Charcot’s foot is a progressive condition that weakens the joints, soft tissues, and bones in the foot. It’s a rare but significant complication of diabetes and typically occurs due to repeated minor injuries—often unnoticed because of diabetic nerve damage.
Symptoms:
- One foot feels warmer than the other
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain or soreness
- A “floppy” foot
- Hammertoes or other foot deformities
Because people with diabetes might not feel foot pain, Charcot’s foot can be challenging to diagnose. Daily foot checks are crucial since swelling and redness can also point to other diabetic foot issues.
5. Foot dystonia
Foot dystonia is a neurological disorder causing involuntary, repetitive movements in the foot. It appears in about half of those with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and is also seen in some people with Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms:
- Muscle spasms in the ankle, foot, or toes
- Toes that curl or clench abnormally
- Foot cramping
Foot dystonia can signal more serious neurological problems, so if you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor or podiatrist.
How do you find the best podiatrist near you in Fort Lee, NJ?
Podiatrists can be crucial for your health if you have diabetes or arthritis. They have extensive knowledge about the body's lower extremities and, therefore, can help you manage the issues related to your feet and ankles. Often, diabetes can cause damage to the nerve endings of your legs and feet and even lead to amputation in case of serious complications. Podiatrists can help you prevent that. They can perform minor surgeries like removing bunions, repairing fractured bones, or removing infected tissues.
However, finding a qualified, licensed, and experienced podiatrist can be a hassle. Zocdoc is a platform that can help you with its open directory of the best medical and healthcare providers for all your needs. Furthermore, it also enables you to pay through your health plan. You can include your insurance carrier's name in the search, and the platform will show you all top-rated podiatrists who accept your health plan.
If you cannot find your insurance plan in the drop-down menu, you can use Zocdoc's insurance checker feature. Follow these steps: Go to settings > Insurance > Upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image and detect your plan name. You can add that information to the search bar and continue your search for the best podiatrists in your area. When you book an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll need to either provide your insurance details or confirm that you're paying out of pocket. Some providers require insurance information to schedule an appointment. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can look for a different provider on Zocdoc. Go to Zocdoc's patient help center page to read more insurance FAQs.
Communication plays a significant role in treatment procedures to be successful. Therefore, finding healthcare providers who understand your language and fit your requirements is essential. All the healthcare professionals associated with Zocdoc have unique profiles where you can read about their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and even the language they speak.
You can also make an informed decision by reviewing previous patients' verified reviews and user ratings. The best podiatrist near you will accept your health plan, be available whenever needed, and offer consultations about your healthcare decisions. Additionally, booking appointments with Zocdoc is safe, secure, and free of charge!
Statistics on arthritis in New Jersey, USA
Arthritis is more common than we think. According to the 2017 report published by the Arthritis Foundation, one in three adults in the United States has arthritis. The report also states that around 92.1 million US adults have either doctor-diagnosed arthritis or joint symptoms consistent with arthritis. The condition worsens with age. Therefore, for people over sixty-five, more than one in two men and more than two in three women may have arthritis. The report also projects that by 2040, the number of adults reporting activity limitations due to arthritis will increase by about 52%. Arthritis is the foremost cause of disability among adults in the US. The condition also significantly impacts productivity, as around 172 million workdays are lost yearly due to arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis is a common health issue in New Jersey as well. According to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, arthritis is New Jersey's leading cause of disability and affects over 1.5 million people. Out of them, around 78% have been diagnosed but are not receiving treatments. The rate of arthritis increases in direct proportion to age. Therefore, while only 9% of 18 to 44-year-olds have arthritis, around 53% of those above 65 have arthritis.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
Arthritis Foundation
Department of Human Services
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Joint Replacement Institute
Greater Washington Advanced Podiatry, LLC
Foot & Ankle Group, LLC.
New Jersey Department of Human Services
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