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Who are podiatrists?

Podiatrists are medical physicians who treat ailments and injuries involving the feet. Feet are the most important organs for locomotion, and healthy feet are vital for living a good life; hence, these physicians aid in maintaining the functionality of the feet and alleviating all sorts of pain and dysfunction.

Certain conditions like arthritis may be debilitating and cause joint dysfunction. In these cases, podiatrists can perform surgery on the lower limbs if required.

Education and training of podiatrists

Completing rigorous educational and clinical training programs is necessary for podiatrists before starting their practice. Aspirants must obtain a bachelor’s degree before training at a podiatric medical school. Medical school takes aspirants up to four years to complete, following which they receive the title of DPM or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

After completing medical school, these specialists spend their residency training getting hands-on experience in medical settings, including hospitals and clinics. Following this training, they must demonstrate that they are qualified specialists by passing board certification exams. The certifying body for specialties is the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) and the Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards (JCRSB).

What diagnostic procedures do podiatrists perform?

Podiatrists employ various methods to diagnose and treat foot, ankle, and lower limb issues. Standard diagnostic techniques utilized by podiatrists are:

• Arthrography - Using this imaging technique, physicians can identify cartilage, ligament, or tendon inflammations.
• Skeletal scans - With the help of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, a podiatrist can detect weak or fragile bones. Other bone scans, like conventional X-rays, help view fractures or active bone development.
• CT scans - Podiatrists use computed tomography scans (CT scans) to examine the lower extremities for injury or abnormal tissue growth. Non-invasive CT scans are painless and provide additional knowledge about the surrounding structures.
• Electromyography (EMG) - This technique records and evaluates muscular electrical activity for nerve or muscle disorders, making it easy for podiatrists to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders.
• Doppler ultrasound - This gadget utilizes Doppler waves to detect vascular blockages or clots in the legs. This modality is highly beneficial in deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and Buerger's disease.
• Joint aspiration - This procedure involves aspirating the synovial fluid present in joints. It gives a detailed insight into possible ailments, such as identifying infections or inflammatory joint conditions like gout.

Which surgical procedures do podiatrists perform?

Podiatrists offer a broad range of procedures to address various foot and ankle conditions, making them valuable specialists for foot-related health concerns. Understanding the common procedures they perform can help alleviate pre-appointment anxiety and guide you in selecting the right podiatrist near you for your needs. Here are some key procedures performed by podiatrists:

• Traumatic Surgeries - Podiatrists may perform surgeries to repair injuries or correct foot and toe malfunctions resulting from trauma. Procedures can include treating broken bones, toe fractures, and other injuries requiring surgical intervention.
• Ankle Surgery - Some podiatrists are skilled in ankle surgeries for conditions like chronic ankle instability or fractures. Based on the diagnosis, treatments may include lateral ankle ligament repair, reconstruction, or ankle braces. Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, is often used to guide treatment decisions.
• Ingrown Toenail Removal - This is a common procedure performed by podiatrists to relieve discomfort caused by toenails growing into the surrounding flesh, often due to tight shoes, injuries, or toenail curvature. Podiatrists perform this straightforward surgery under local anesthesia, removing the ingrown portion of the nail.
• Metatarsal Foot Surgery - Surgery on the metatarsal bones, located behind each toe, is often done to treat arthritis or bunions. For arthritis-related pain in the metatarsal-phalangeal joints, podiatrists may remove joint heads to alleviate swelling and discomfort. This procedure helps restore mobility and reduce pain in the affected joints.
• Other Common Treatments - A Podiatrist can help address foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis, corns, and calluses. They also provide custom orthotics or physical therapy recommendations for non-surgical management.  

By consulting with a podiatrist, you gain access to their expertise in diagnosing and managing foot and ankle conditions, ensuring effective and specialized care tailored to your needs.

Common ailments treated by podiatrists

Chronic medical illnesses like arthritis or diabetes cause long-term foot and ankle discomfort. Even everyday activities like overuse or improper footwear can cause short-term, acute pain. A podiatrist can diagnose your condition early and recommend treatment. A podiatrist near you can help if you have any of the following issues:

• Exercise-induced pain - Pain due to a workout, a new running routine, or standing for long hours is expected. Shin splints, for example, are typical among runners and athletes. Your podiatrist will examine your feet and the rest of your body to look for potential problems and make treatment recommendations accordingly. They also advise on suitable sporting shoe options for runners.
• Pain due to chronic diseases - Arthritis is among the most common ailments affecting many people in the United States. Consult a podiatrist if your lower limb joints seem swollen, red, stiff, or sore. This condition can alter the foot's function, resulting in impairment over time. A podiatrist offers advice on maintaining the health of your joints and making daily activities more manageable for you.
• Diabetes - Diabetics are more prone to foot problems, and dry skin infections are one example. People with diabetes should get a yearly foot exam, as a superficial injury or infection can turn into gangrene with delayed healing. Studies reveal that a podiatrist reduces the incidence of diabetes-related amputation by more than 50%.
• Ingrown toenails - Ingrown toenails can cause severe infections; big toe toenails are more prone to this phenomenon and cause red or draining toenails. A podiatrist usually treats an inflamed or draining toenail and may also remove the infected portion of the nail.
• Sprain, strain, or fracture - Foot physicians are specialists in treating sprains and foot/ankle fractures. They treat fractures by designing a flexible cast to aid healing and ensure adequate immobility. Excessive swelling, problems walking, redness, and increasing pain are all reasons to contact a podiatrist.
• Corns or calluses - Too much stress and exertion of the feet lead to corns and calluses. These are common podiatry issues. To relieve pain, a podiatrist may offer cortisone injections to reduce the callous and excise it surgically in rarer cases.
• Bunions - A bunion is a huge toe bump on your foot. If the big toe bone or a joint is misaligned, untreated bunions worsen. Podiatrists treat bunion ailments with cushioning, tape, or medications. Severe cases may require surgery.
• Athlete's foot - An athlete's foot causes scaly, itchy skin between the toes. In this condition, antifungal cream may prove beneficial. If the infection persists after two weeks, see a podiatrist. Oral and cream-based prescriptions often work better. Your doctor will look for any additional bacterial infections which require antibiotics.

Signs you need to visit a podiatrist

If you often experience pain in your feet or have suffered a foot injury, consider seeing a foot doctor. However, it is a good sign to get your feet checked even if they are not hurt. It is also vital for risk groups with severe health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, poor blood circulation, and obesity to visit a podiatrist and get their feet examined routinely.

While many foot conditions are not life-threatening, visiting a podiatrist is better than trying to manage a foot-related problem at home. Some of these issues are as follows: 

• Continuous heel pain
• Sudden pain, tingling, or numbness in one or both feet 
• Discoloration or redness on the feet
• Growth or bumps on the foot or ankle 
• Recurring infections in the feet that are not being treated by over-the-counter medications or ointments
• Ingrown toenails 
• Nail fungus 
• Possibility of a broken foot or an ankle 
• Thickened and painful areas of dead skin on the feet (corns or calluses)
• Inability to find out the root cause of your joint pain

What to expect on the first visit?

A consultation with a podiatrist near you will be similar to a visit to any other doctor. The podiatrist will inquire about your medical history and symptoms. They will want to know about any chronic conditions or diseases you may have. Be sure to inform them about your medications and if you have undergone any surgery.

The podiatrist might ask you to stand up and walk around to assess your joints' range of motion and see if your shoes fit well. Tell your podiatrist if problems, such as bunions, ingrown toenails, heel or lower back pain, foot deformities, or circulation problems, are bothering you. They can also help with fungal toenail infections, excessive sweating, athlete's foot, flat feet, cracked heels, and gout.

Treating some of these in the podiatrist's office, such as removing ingrown toenails or a splinter and cutting out calluses or corns, is possible. In this case, they might give you a painkiller before commencing the treatment. Some podiatrists also use cryotherapy techniques to freeze off plantar warts.

How to prepare for a podiatrist appointment? 

Preparing for your initial podiatrist appointment in advance can help you get the most out of your consultation. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends some of the following tips that may help you prepare for your podiatry appointment.

• Note down all the symptoms you have been experiencing and any recent changes or patterns that you have observed. Also, note the frequency, intensity, and duration of the symptoms. 
• Do not forget to carry all your previous health records. This includes your personal and family medical history, any medications you have been taking (over-the-counter included), allergies, and if you have had any tests (X-rays, MRI scans, and lab reports) or surgeries done in the past. This information will allow your podiatrist to make an accurate diagnosis. 
• If you are facing issues walking or running, carry your walking or exercising shoes to your podiatrist. They can help you determine if your shoes are the right fit for you or if you need better shoe support depending on the arch of your feet or the physical activities you perform. If you wear any, your doctor can also review previously prescribed inserts or orthotics. 
• If you have any concerns or questions regarding treatment, diagnostic procedures, or medications, ensure you carry a list of those questions with you to your appointment. 
• If you have special needs, inform your podiatrist’s office before going and take a friend or family member along with you if required.  

Impact of diabetes on the feet

High blood sugar can be detrimental to blood vessels and nerves in the foot and lead to diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms of this condition are numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your foot. When your foot does not feel any pain, it can be difficult to realize it when you have a wound or injury on the feet. Due to this, the damage can go unnoticed and become infected.

When you have diabetes, even mild foot problems can quickly result in complications. Gangrene caused by infections and poor blood flow to the affected area can cause the muscles, skin, and tissues to die. When this happens, amputation is often the only solution. 

Taking care of your feet and consulting a foot doctor can help detect problems and seek early treatment. You could also control your blood sugar levels, practice foot hygiene, and keep the blood flowing to your feet with mild activity to avoid these issues.

Find top-rated podiatrists near you in Gilbert, Arizona

Taking appropriate care of your feet at all times is an absolute necessity. Ignoring them can adversely impact your health, especially for people with diabetes. However, locating the most qualified foot doctor in Gilbert, Arizona may be challenging and potentially delay appropriate care. It is our mission to help patients find the best doctors for them.

By entering your symptoms or condition, Zocdoc will help you find a doctor for proper care. This website lets you pick your time, date, and insurance plans. You can narrow the field by entering your preferred physician's gender, specialization, hospital affiliation, and language proficiency. Based on your requirements, you'll receive a list of physician profiles.If you have multiple insurance plans, Zocdoc makes it easy to manage them by allowing you to add coverage for medical, dental, and vision to your account. While you can only search for and schedule appointments using one plan at a time, you can include details about a secondary insurance plan in the provider notes during the final step of booking. Additionally, if the provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you’ll have the option to include secondary insurance information while completing them online.

Each profile includes the doctor's credentials, training, education, awards, certifications, experience, specializations, and licenses. These details will help you locate the best podiatrist in your area. Additionally, patient reviews and ratings on Zocdoc are regularly updated, which allows you to find the best podiatrists in your area. 

Zocdoc also allows online consultations before in-person visits. This hassle-free system enables you to book an appointment at the earliest. All bookings with Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free!

Vital stats you should know

According to the California government, 15,000 podiatrists practice in the United States. In 2018, according to Statista, 7.66% of respondents aged 18-29 reported visiting a podiatrist the previous year.

In 2021, the United Health Foundation's poll conducted in Arizona found that 18.2% of the adult male population had been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Bunions and claw toes are two of the many foot issues that can occur in conjunction with rheumatoid arthritis of the foot and ankle. These ailments can be excruciating, hence making it essential to visit podiatrists from time to time.

According to the American Diabetes Association, around 590,916 adults in Arizona have diabetes, accounting for 10.7% of the adult population. People who have diabetes may frequently experience issues with their feet; hence, diabetic patients must make frequent visits to podiatrists to have their condition evaluated. 

Sources

WebMD

Healthline

Medical NewsToday

Statista 

Today's Podiatrist

America's Health Rankings

Council on Podiatric Medical Education

MedlinePlus

The Podiatry Group of South Texas

American Podiatric Medical Association

South Shore Health

Verywell Health

Cleveland Clinic

MVS Podiatry Associates 

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.