Who is a podiatrist?
The term podiatrist refers to a medical specialist working in podiatric medicine. These practitioners handle issues concerning the lower extremities, i.e., the feet, ankles, and other related leg structures. Hence, they are also called foot doctors.
Podiatrists usually practice independently. They diagnose patients using X-rays and other laboratory tests, provide medications, prescribe physical therapy, and set fractures. They may also collaborate with other medical experts to offer holistic care for treating and managing diseases.
Foot doctors work in a variety of settings. These may include private or group medical practice, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, hospitals, extended care facilities, and public health services. They might also practice in the armed forces, the Department of Veterans Affairs, municipal health departments, and podiatry medicine schools.
Educational qualifications of podiatrists
Although podiatrists are medical practitioners, they do not attend traditional medical schools but go to those specifically designed for podiatry. They start their journey by completing four years of training in a podiatry medical school. Rather than M.D., they are designated as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) once their studies are completed.
After this, they enroll and train in hospital residency for three years. After residency, podiatrists can obtain advanced foot and ankle surgery certifications or become subspecialists. The certifying bodies for this field are the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
Types of podiatrists
A considerable portion of podiatrists provide treatment for a broad spectrum of general foot conditions, akin to the role of primary care physicians. However, some choose to focus their practice on specific areas within podiatric medicine, including specialized fields such as sports medicine and wound care.
Specialized branches of footcare that a podiatrist may explore include:
- Orthotics
- Diabetes management
- Dermatology of the feet
- Pediatric foot care
- Geriatric foot care
- Neurological foot conditions
- Circulatory issues affecting the feet
- Autoimmune and inflammatory foot conditions
- General or reconstructive foot surgery
How are podiatrists different from orthopedists?
Podiatrists and orthopedists, qualified to treat similar medical conditions, represent distinct medical specialties. A podiatrist primarily focuses on treating foot disorders and, in some instances, ankle and lower leg issues. In contrast, orthopedists, or orthopedic surgeons, specialize in musculoskeletal conditions affecting the entire body.
Orthopedists address a wide range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Neck and back pain
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Sports-related injuries
- Chronic muscle pain
Additionally, many orthopedic surgeons specialize in attending to particular body parts, such as the hand, spine, or hip. They may also focus on specialized treatments like total joint reconstruction, orthopedic trauma surgery, or sports medicine.
While some orthopedic surgeons may have expertise in treating foot and ankle conditions, individuals often initially seek care from podiatrists for issues specific to the lower extremities.
What conditions does a podiatrist treat?
Podiatric doctors treat a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and disorders. These include:
- Sprains and fractures: Fractures and sprains are usually a result of overuse or sports injuries. Patients typically visit with pain and swelling at the site of impact. Fractures affect the bone, whereas sprains affect the tendons. Podiatrists can help diagnose these conditions and help manage them by immobilization using casts and crepe bandages.
- Hammertoes and bunions: These two conditions occur in the joints of the feet. A hammertoe is due to an abnormal bend in the middle joints of the toe, resembling a hammer. A bunion is an abnormal bony projection that occur at the base of the big toe, pushing it toward the rest of the toes.
- Nail disorders: Common nail issues include conditions like a nail fungal infection or an ingrown toenail. Though fungal infections are usually painless, they can cause cosmetic concerns. On the other hand, ingrown nails can be intensely painful and may need to be removed.
- Diabetic foot: The nerve supply to the feet may not be adequate in persons who have diabetes. Hence, they are more prone to developing ulcers. Besides this, increased blood sugar levels help bacteria thrive, leading to non-healing ulcers. In many people with diabetes, these ulcers may lead to gangrene. Over 65,000 diabetic persons undergo foot amputation annually. Hence, regular foot checkups are necessary for people with diabetes.
- Arthritis: This chronic illness leads to joint swelling and inflammation. A podiatrist might suggest physical therapy, medications, special shoes, or inserts to help control symptoms. However, doctors may often use surgical aid in severe conditions where regular treatments do not work.
- Heel pain: This condition usually results from calcium deposition at the base of the heel bone, known as heel spurs. Running in uncomfortable shoes or being overweight are some reasons that can cause them. First-line treatment includes over-the-counter medicines, orthotics or shoe inserts, and surgeries in severe cases.
If you are facing foot or ankle-related issues, seeking care from the best podiatrist near you is a prudent choice.
How do podiatrists reach a diagnosis?
Podiatrists typically initiate the diagnostic process by reviewing an individual's medical history and current symptoms. Following this, they conduct an essential physical examination of the foot, where they assess for signs of swelling and changes in skin color. Patients may also be requested to walk or move their feet and toes in various directions to evaluate mobility.
Based on these initial observations, the podiatrist may suggest additional tests before reaching a final diagnosis. Various diagnostic tools are employed by podiatrists, including:
- Imaging tests: These include X-rays, ultrasounds, bone scans, C.T. scans, and MRI scans. They help in identifying bone fractures, vascular blockages, and structural abnormalities.
- Blood tests: These help detect infections or signs of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Quantitative sensory testing: This specialized computer-based system measures how effectively nerves perceive temperature and vibration changes. It is beneficial for diagnosing conditions like diabetic neuropathy, hypersensitivity, and other nerve disorders in the foot.
- Electromyography (EMG): EMG assesses how muscles respond to nerve signals. It entails the insertion of thin needles, known as electrodes, into the muscle to detect electrical activity. Abnormal EMG results indicate nerve-related issues, assisting podiatrists in devising treatment strategies.
What to expect on your first visit to a podiatrist?
Visiting a podiatrist near you is similar to seeing a general physician. They will begin by asking about your medical background, current medications, and if you have had any surgeries previously. Next, they will examine your posture, movement, and joint mobility range. Depending on your history and symptoms, they will diagnose and try to manage your condition during the first visit.
Most foot disorders are manageable in the office. Your podiatrist can advise orthotics, padding, or physical therapy to resolve these issues. They may also prescribe painkillers and antibiotics. If your condition requires surgical intervention, you may undergo a series of tests before your procedure. Your doctor will brief you on the pre and post-op care needed.
Tips for locating the best podiatrists near you in Fort Worth, Texas
Feet are complex structures and require care and management like other body parts. If you are experiencing thick or discolored toenails, skin cracks or cuts, or ingrown nails, it is time to see a trusted podiatrist immediately. But how can you find an expert in Fort Worth, Texas? You can rely on Zocdoc to do so!
Register for a free account on Zocdoc and log in—enter the specialty name, your location, and the desired appointment time in the search box. Within seconds, Zocdoc will provide you with a list of the best podiatrists nearby. By choosing a specific parameter, such as gender, spoken language, or hospital affiliation, you can narrow down the results. Additionally, you can select a podiatrist who accepts your insurance using the insurance finder.
Please go through the list provided and click on a provider's profile to learn more about their qualifications, training, specializations, accreditations, honors, and board certification. Read ratings and verified reviews from previous patients to determine which podiatrist best suits your needs.
Before scheduling an in-person appointment, you can use Zocdoc to schedule a video consultation with your doctor. The providers that allow such bookings have a purple icon on their profiles. It is also easy to find a podiatrist available on the weekends, before or after regular office hours.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is simple, safe, and cost-free!
Statistics related to foot health in Texas
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics records the total number of podiatrists actively working in the U.S. The national estimate was around 8,840, and that in Texas was about 530 as of May 2021. The source also suggests the northern region of Texas is a nonmetropolitan area with the highest employment of podiatrists.
When it comes to arthritis, it is not just a single disease but an umbrella term that describes many other conditions. All these conditions result in pain and stiffness in joints. It hampers the ability to walk, stand, sit, grab, and engage in social activities. America's Health Rankings highlight that about 21.3% of individuals in Texas reported ever receiving a diagnosis of arthritis in 2021. Nearly 24.9% of females and 17.5% of males reported being diagnosed with arthritis.
Diabetes is related to foot health directly and indirectly. Therefore, people with diabetes are prone to foot issues. The American Diabetes Association states critical findings related to diabetes in Texas for 2022. Approximately 12.4%, or 2,694,402 adults in Texas, had diabetes. An additional 621,000 people had diabetes but were unaware of it, dramatically raising their health risk. Furthermore, almost 7,142,000 adults were prediabetics.
Sources
WebMD
American Podiatric Medical Association
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
America’s Health Rankings
American Diabetes Association
MedicalNewsToday
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