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Who are podiatrists, and what are their qualifications?

A podiatrist is a general practitioner with the qualifications and training required to cure patients with ankle injuries, limb dysfunction, and other foot-related problems. They diagnose, provide treatment, prescribe drugs, and conduct surgical procedures for various foot-related conditions and injuries. 

Unlike other medical specialists, podiatrists study in special medical schools accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to become podiatric medicine (DPM) doctors. During medical school, they receive clinical training to fix bones, muscle injuries, nerve damage, and ligaments of lower limbs. 

Some podiatrists also proceed to complete an additional three-year residency training. During residency, they work in clinics and hospitals to gain practical knowledge of diagnosis and treatment. They also work with specialized doctors such as anesthesiologists, surgeons, and pediatricians.

Common conditions a podiatrist treats

A podiatrist can help with a wide range of foot conditions, including:

• Fractures and sprains: A podiatrist treats foot fractures and injuries that affect the ankle and foot and prevents other complications from arising. They also treat individuals who have sports injuries and muscle sprains.

• Nail disorders: The podiatrist can treat nail issues such as infections, fungus problems, and ingrown toenails and help manage nail discomfort. Swelling in the ingrown toenails and redness are reasons to seek medical help.

• Bunions and hammertoes: These are issues with the feet's bones. A bunion develops when the big toe joints at the bottom enlarge or become misaligned. Any toe that does not flex properly is said to have a hammertoe. The podiatrist can treat individuals having bunions and hammertoes.

• Arthritis: This happens due to inflammation, wear & tear, and swelling in the joint muscles. Depending on the severity, a podiatrist may prescribe drugs and physical therapy to help deal with arthritis. In some cases, podiatrists also perform surgery for arthritis treatment.

• Heel pain: Constant heel pain is a sign of inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. Heel spurs are one of the most common causes of pain in heels. It happens due to the deposition of calcium in heel regions. Common risk factors include being overweight, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and having thick bones. The podiatrist can diagnose the real cause of heel pain, suggest exercises, and provide other forms of treatment.

• Plantar fasciitis: This condition causes inflammation of connective tissues at the bottom of the foot. Non-supportive shoes and sports can lead to plantar fasciitis. Overpronation and narrow shoes exacerbate this condition. A podiatrist can assist you in locating an orthotic and administer injections for pain and irritation.

• Diabetes: Patients with diabetes may have nerve damage in the legs and feet. Many individuals face issues in walking and intense pain because of a lack of blood supply to their limbs. If not diagnosed and treated on time, it can lead to severe foot complications, and you may need a foot amputation.

• Growing pains: Many children experience increasing pain in their feet and lower limbs. The pain might be due to flat feet and prolonged running. A podiatrist can provide treatment to get rid of growing pain. Moreover, they also treat kids with flat feet and thin toes that point inward.

• Nerve damage: It may cause numbness and chronic pain in the feet, and is another reason to seek a podiatrist as timely medical intervention can help to prevent further damage.

What to expect at your first appointment with a podiatrist or foot doctor?

If you are experiencing any uncomfortable or painful foot symptoms, making an appointment with the best podiatrist near you would be beneficial. It is normal to feel a little apprehension before visiting one, especially if it's your first time. However, if you know what to expect, it can make things a lot easier for you. Here's a guide on what generally happens during a podiatric consultation: 

• Symptoms: Firstly, the podiatrist will want to understand your reason for visiting their clinic. Explain everything about your symptoms—when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how the condition impacts your daily life. It is always a good idea to show them pictures if you have any because this helps the podiatrist understand the progression of your condition.

• Personal and family history: Your provider will review your past and current medical history, family history, medications and supplements list, allergies, diagnostic reports, and surgeries. So, make sure you carry all of this information with you.

• Lifestyle habits: Be ready to answer questions about your exercise routine, diet plan, sleep schedule, foot hygiene habits, tobacco and alcohol use, and other lifestyle factors.

• Physical examination: After learning about your history, the podiatrist will perform a physical exam to inspect for abnormal signs in your feet, ankle, toenails, and lower legs. They may also ask you to stand or walk to assess your gait, range of motion, and shoe fitting.

• Diagnostic tests: Depending on the findings, they may order further tests to confirm the diagnosis. It can include blood tests and imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or bone scan.

• Treatment plan: Once they arrive at the correct diagnosis, they will explain it to you in detail and then make an appropriate treatment plan. The first-line of treatment includes medications, topical creams, foot hygiene routine, and lifestyle tips. However, they may need to perform surgical procedures for more severe conditions.

• Follow-up care: Your podiatrist may ask you to visit for follow-ups to monitor if the treatment plan is helping improve the symptoms. If there is little progress, they will change the care plan accordingly. 

Find the best podiatrist near you in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Our feet bear a lot of pressure and help us undertake many physical activities. If you have foot-related problems, ensure to visit only specialist medical doctors. Zocdoc enables you to select the best podiatrist in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We provide a comprehensive list of top podiatrists based on their location, the medical conditions they treat, the specialties they have, and your requirements.

The list you see is verified and updated regularly in our database to ensure you get the best doctors for treatment. On Zocdoc, you can also access the specialist's complete profile, including their state of practice, location, the clinic they work in, contact details, previous patient records, education qualifications, and ratings.

Study the profile meticulously to decide the best podiatrist for you. Once you shortlist the podiatrists who work best for you, compare their reviews and ratings to make an informed choice. The user-friendly interface at Zocdoc helps you find exemplary practitioners within a couple of minutes.

Finding and booking an appointment with the best podiatrist near you via Zocdoc is safe, easy, and 100% free!

Statistics on podiatrists and podiatric conditions in Maryland

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Maryland has nearly 260 podiatrists working in the state as of May 2022. The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metropolitan region of the state has one of the highest concentrations of practicing podiatrists (150) and location quotients (1.78) in the whole of the U.S. 

Arthritis is becoming increasingly common in the United States. According to the Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, around 23.1 % of adults had arthritis in 2020. One of the most effective surgical treatments in the country is total knee replacement. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report, there were over 754,000 knee replacements in the U.S. in 2017.

Diabetes is a leading reason for foot problems as a result of poor blood flow. According to the report of the American Diabetes Association, nearly 5.8 percent of adults, around 568,232 people, were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021 in Maryland. The report also stated that about 139,000 persons have diabetes in the state but are unaware of their condition.

Sources 

Maryland Department of Health

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

WebMD

Medical News Today

Essex Union Podiatry 

Healthdirect

Foot & Ankle Institute of New England

Leonard Greenwald, DPM

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.