Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a medical practitioner who diagnoses and treats disorders of the feet and ankles. Podiatrists are "foot doctors" or "foot and ankle specialists."
Podiatrists must complete four years of undergraduate and four years of graduate study at a podiatric medical school. After graduation, they must complete a three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency program. After earning a bachelor's degree, they must apply to one of nine accredited podiatric medical schools in the United States. Upon completing medical school training, they acquire a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. They can take the state licensing exam to begin practicing as a licensed podiatrist.
All 50 states in the USA, including the District of Columbia, need licensed podiatrists. They train to provide comprehensive foot and ankle care, including diagnostic testing, medical and surgical treatment, and rehabilitation.
What is the role of podiatrists?
Though podiatrists mainly focus on conditions affecting the lower extremity or lower limbs, their roles are far-reaching. Their scope of practice also involves elements of orthopedics, dermatology, neurology, rheumatology, surgery, and pharmacology. Podiatrists play a significant role in detecting early signs of cardiovascular disease or diabetes by checking foot conditions. They offer personal consultations regarding preventive foot care and treatment of foot disorders. Podiatrists apply innovative techniques to help patients improve their overall health and well-being.
A podiatrist's duties typically include
- Diagnosing foot disorders such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, imbalances, nail or skin diseases, weak feet, and acquired or congenital deformities
- Treating various foot conditions like bunions, corns, calluses, ingrown nails, heel spurs, cysts, shortened tendons, arch problems, abscesses, and bone disorders
- Designing custom corrective plaster casts, strappings, and orthotics (devices worn inside the shoes) to support the foot or correct the deformities caused by ankle and foot fracture immobilizations, sprains, and other injuries
- Referring patients to other specialists when symptoms indicate the presence of other conditions like heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, or diabetes
- Performing routine foot care, including nail trimming and callus removal
- Providing medical and surgical care for conditions that affect the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin of the foot and ankle
Podiatrists help restore balance and walking patterns and promote efficient and comfortable bodily movement.
Are podiatrists medical doctors?
The answer to this question could be more precise. Technically, podiatrists are not medical doctors (MD) as they do not go to the traditional medical school. However, they complete a four-year doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) program and are licensed to diagnose and treat problems with the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
So while they are not medical doctors, they are highly trained experts in foot and ankle care. If you're experiencing problems with your feet or ankles, it's worth seeing a podiatrist!
Subspecialties within podiatry
Most podiatrists are involved in general practice. Some podiatrists may choose to undergo further training and specialize in any of the following subspecialties in podiatry:
- Diagnostic podoradiology- Focuses on ankle and foot radiology
- Dermatological podiatry- Deals with skin diseases affecting the lower limbs
- Gerontological podiatry- Focuses on foot conditions affecting older adults
- Forensic podiatry- The study of shoe prints and footprints for legal purposes
- Podiatric diabetology- Focuses on diabetic foot disorder care
- Podopediatrics- The study of pediatric or child podiatry
- Podiatric orthopedics- Focuses on the use of prosthetics, footwear, and orthotics to treat foot abnormalities
- Podiatric oncology- The study of skin cancers affecting the lower limb area
- Podiatric sports medicine- Fouses on sports-related lower limb injuries
- Podiatric rheumatology- Deals with the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis
- Reconstructive ankle and foot surgery- Focuses on podiatric surgery and consulting
- Neuropodiatry- The study of nerve disorder of the lower limb area
- Vascular podiatry- Deals with circulation disorders of the lower limb area
When should I see a podiatrist?
You should make an appointment for foot problems, such as pain, swelling, or an injury. You should also see a podiatrist if you have diabetes or another condition that puts you at risk for foot problems. Arthritis can make it difficult to walk or even stand. See a podiatrist if you are experiencing foot pain, as they can help diagnose and treat the problem. Standard treatment options for arthritis may include surgery, medication, weight loss, and physical therapy.
How does arthritis affect feet?
Arthritis, a degenerative disease that affects the joints, causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It can affect any bodily joint, including the joints in the feet. The most common form that affects the feet is osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage cushions the joints and breaks down. It can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and deformities such as bunions and hammertoes.
How do I prepare to see a podiatrist?
Before making an appointment with a podiatrist, you must consult your primary care physician. Your PCP can help you determine whether or not seeing a foot doctor is the best course of action for your situation. If you decide to see a podiatrist, you can consider a few things to prepare for your appointment.
First, compile a list of all the questions you want to ask. It will help you best use your time with the podiatrist. You may also want to write down any symptoms you've been experiencing. It will help the doctor give a complete picture of what's happening.
Next, gather any relevant medical records or test results that may be helpful. Bring those records if you've seen another doctor about your foot problem.
Finally, wear comfortable clothing and shoes so the doctor can quickly examine your feet. Avoid wearing sandals or flip-flops, as they can make it difficult to assess your foot condition.
Finding the right podiatrist in Indianapolis
High cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, poor blood circulation, and a history of heart disease raise the risk of foot issues, necessitating frequent visits to a podiatrist. Although a reference is not required to consult a podiatrist, a doctor's referral can help cover treatment costs. Zocdoc's extensively researched database can assist you in this regard.
If you live in Indianapolis, Indiana, and need to see a podiatrist, use the Zocdoc website to schedule an appointment from the convenience of your home. Simply enter your condition, location, insurance carrier, and plan, and the website will quickly provide you with a list of the best podiatrists in your area.
We also help you determine if the selected podiatrist accepts your insurance plan. That's all you need to do to visit your podiatrist besides checking their availability. You don't need to worry about appointments because we help you book them immediately online. You can see the podiatrist on the same day.
Booking appointments with Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Arthritis stats in Indianapolis
While on average, 24.5% of Americans reported being told by a professional that they had arthritis. In Indiana, that figure was higher at 26.9%, in 2020, according to America's Health Rankings United Health Foundation. The study also found that those with less than a High School education were more prone to arthritis than those with higher education. The risk of being diagnosed with arthritis was way higher in those aged 65 and above (52.3%) than in younger adults.
In Indiana, females (31%) are more susceptible to arthritis than males (22.6%), as is the case in the rest of the country.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American Podiatric Medical Association
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
America's Health Rankings
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Verywell Health
