Who is a podiatrist?
Podiatrists are medical specialists who help with foot and lower leg problems. They are also called podiatric physicians or doctors of podiatric medicine. They can treat injuries and complications caused by chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Podiatrists are medical professionals, but they do not attend traditional medical schools. They also have a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) instead of a medical doctor (MD) after their names.
Podiatrists can perform surgery, repair broken bones, prescribe medications, and order lab tests and X-rays. They may collaborate with other specialists for your feet or lower legs. Podiatrists in the United States are licensed and regulated by state governments.
What conditions do podiatrists treat?
Podiatrists treat people of all ages for different foot issues, including the following:
- Sprains and fractures: Podiatrists regularly treat common foot and ankle injuries. They also work in sports medicine, treating athletes' foot problems and advising them on how to avoid them.
- Foot conditions: Bunions and hammertoes are two examples of foot problems that affect your foot bones. A bunion develops when the joint expands or gets misaligned, bending the toe towards the others. A hammertoe does not bend properly.
- Diabetes: For a person with diabetes, the body may not produce or does not use the hormone insulin as it should. Insulin aids in the digestion of sugar. Diabetes may lead to nerve damage or difficulty getting enough blood to your feet. Diabetes can have serious consequences. Over 65,000 people with diabetes require foot amputations yearly, and visiting a podiatrist can reduce the likelihood.
- Arthritis: A condition caused due to inflammation, swelling, and wear and tear in the joints. A podiatrist may suggest physical therapy, medications, special shoes, inserts, or surgery if other treatments do not work for you.
- Growing discomfort: A podiatrist may be able to help if your child's feet point inward, appear flat, or their toes do not line up correctly. They may suggest exercises, insoles, or braces. They may also advise surgery.
- Heel ache: Heel spurs, a calcium buildup at the bottom of your heel bone, commonly cause pain, which may result from regular running, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or being overweight. Plantar fasciitis is when an inflamed connective tissue band runs down the sole of your foot. Sports and unsupportive footwear are frequently to blame. Overpronation, which occurs when your foot bends in or out too far when walking, is a common cause. Achilles tendinitis, which hurts the back of your heel where this tendon attaches, can also affect athletes. Treatment begins with over-the-counter pain relievers and may include shoe inserts known as orthotics. Some people require surgery.
- Morton's neuroma: Pain, burning, and nerve problems between your foot's third and fourth toe bones can cause the sensation that something is in your shoe. It usually affects runners. Tight shoes and overpronation may aggravate the situation. A podiatrist can administer pain relievers and assist you in finding an orthotic.
When should you see a podiatrist?
Foot and ankle problems are common among patients with chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes. They also occur because of common everyday problems like wearing poorly fitting shoes. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment from a podiatrist makes you more likely to recover quickly. Here are ten reasons you should book an appointment with the best podiatrist near you:
You run regularly: Running can make you more prone to aches or pains like shin splints. Your podiatrist can check for potential problems and recommend athletic shoes to help you.
You feel pain in your joints: Joint pain in your feet or ankles with swelling, redness, stiffness, or tenderness could be due to arthritis. Visiting a podiatrist is essential for getting treatment and managing everyday activities.
You have diabetes: If you have diabetes, you should get a foot exam from a podiatrist at least once a year. Diabetes makes you more prone to foot problems like dry skin or serious infections.
Heel pain limits your activity: If you have persistent heel pain, you may have a bony growth called a heel spur or inflamed tendons that can impact your functioning. A podiatrist can perform a foot exam, take X-rays, and provide a comprehensive treatment plan for you.
You have an ingrown toenail: Ingrown nails often affect the big toe and may cause an infection. If a toenail is red or has drainage, the podiatrist will remove it and prescribe medicine for pain and infection.
You suspect a broken bone or strain: Your podiatrist can diagnose the injury and suggest a flexible cast or other treatment to help heal the area. You may also visit the podiatrist if you have swelling, trouble walking, and pain after the injury.
You require foot surgery: While surgery is the last treatment option that a podiatrist would recommend, conditions like bunions, broken bones, and a recurring ingrown toenail may require surgery.
You have a painful bunion: If a bone or joint is out of place, it may cause a bump at the toe's base. Bunions may worsen unless treated with padding, taping, medication, or surgery.
You have a corn or callus: Corns and calluses are built-up skin that may become painful. A podiatrist may prescribe cortisone injections to reduce pain or use a surgical blade to reduce the size.
You may have athlete's foot: Athlete's foot is a fungal infection causing scaly and itchy skin between the toes. Treatment options may include over-the-counter antifungal cream and oral and cream-based prescription medicines from a podiatrist.
What to expect at a podiatrist visit?
While looking for the best podiatrist near you, find a well-qualified, patient, and non-judgemental doctor who answers all your questions and concerns. You can expect the first visit to resemble any other doctor's. They will ask a few questions about your medical history, medications you are taking, and any surgeries you have had. They will assess your manner of standing and walking, range of motion, and shoe fit. They can usually treat bunions, ingrown toenails, blood circulation in the feet of diabetic patients, heel and lower back pain, and foot deformities during the first visit.
The podiatrist may recommend padding, orthotics, or physical therapy to treat your issues. They can provide treatment for some conditions in the office. They may use syringes to administer pain medication, a nail anvil, or nail splitters to remove ingrown toenails. Scalpels can cut the skin around a toe or remove portions of corn and calluses. Many doctors use cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) equipment to remove plantar warts.
How to find the best podiatrists in Joliet, Illinois?
If you need to visit a podiatrist in Joliet, Illinois, Zocdoc can help! You can easily find qualified in-network doctors who accept your particular insurance plan across the U.S. in just a few clicks!
Start by signing up on our platform for free. Using the search bar, enter the health provider you need to visit, any clinical procedure you want to avail of, or your condition. Our convenient and user-friendly website will provide you with a list of the best podiatrists near you. You can specify your visit reasons, preferred travel distance, and consultation date and time. You can also choose your doctor based on gender, language, hospital affiliations, and whether they can provide pediatric care.
You can also go through the individual profiles of these practitioners to get more information. Their profile will include their education and training, board certifications, clinical interests, etc. You can learn more about the expert by reading their previous patients' verified reviews and ratings. Once you have found the best podiatrist near you, book an in-person consultation or an online appointment via video call.
All bookings with Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Podiatrist-related statistics for Illinois
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 9,320 podiatrists in the U.S., of which roughly 370 were practicing in Illinois as of May 2022.
Foot problems are pretty common in diabetic people. They are prone to develop foot sores, deformities, and infections more easily. According to a report published by the United Health Foundation, about 10.8% of Illinois adults reported having diabetes as of 2021. This number includes roughly 11.4% of adult males and 10.3% of female adults. Among all U.S. states, Illinois ranks 21st in terms of the prevalence of diabetes among adults.
People with arthritis are also more likely to see a podiatrist. According to the United Health Foundation, roughly 22% of adults in Illinois have arthritis, of which about 18.7% are adult males and 25.1% are adult females. Illinois ranks 5th among states with the highest prevalence of arthritis among adults. Visiting a podiatrist can be helpful if you have diabetes or arthritis, as they can help you avoid complications in your foot.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
United Health Foundation[1]
United Health Foundation[2]
Healthgrades
