Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a healthcare expert who diagnoses, treats and manages conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and related structures of the leg. Also referred to as podiatric physicians or surgeons, they are qualified to address injuries and disorders resulting from chronic conditions like diabetes. Podiatrists are licensed doctors with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. While podiatrists are doctors, they do not attend regular medical school and have separate associations and schools for training.
All aspiring podiatrists in the U.S. undergo four years of training at a podiatric medical school, followed by a three-year hospital residency. Some may opt for additional fellowship training after completing their residency. Throughout their training, podiatrists study the interplay between bones, muscles, and nerves in facilitating movement. They also gain expertise in diagnosing and treating injuries and disorders of the feet.
Podiatrists can earn board certification by completing the required training, specialization, and clinical experience. The certifying boards for podiatrists in the U.S. are the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
What conditions do podiatrists treat?
Human feet have a complex structure and are prone to overuse, making them vulnerable to problems. Podiatrists can treat people of all ages suffering from foot pain. Diabetes, infections, and structural issues can cause foot pain. Some common disorders treated by podiatrists include:
- Bunions: This happens due to misaligned big toe joints. It leads to swelling and tenderness. A bunion is a deformity due to the first joint of the big toe slanting outwards while the second joint leans towards the other toes.
- Heel spurs: Plantar fasciitis can cause heel spurs. In this condition, extra bones grow under the heel bones.
- Athlete's foot: This fungal infection typically starts on the bottom of the feet or between the toes and may spread to other body parts. Signs to watch for include scaly, dry skin, blisters, itching, and inflammation at the site.
- Warts: In most cases, warts are caused by viruses that enter the skin through cuts and wounds and are generally benign. These viruses infect the skin and can lead to a painful experience.
- Hammertoe: An imbalance of the ligaments or tendons that keep your toe straight is known as hammertoe. In this condition, the toe bends abnormally in the middle.
- Corns and calluses: Corns are usually seen on the toes, while calluses are on the soles of the feet. These occur due to the accumulation of layers of dead skin.
- Ingrown nails: Improperly trimmed nails, tight shoes, fungus, genetics, injury, or poor foot structure can cause nails to dig into the skin. This condition is known as an ingrown nail.
Foot problems can appear at any age, but some conditions are more prevalent in certain age groups. For instance, hammertoes, bunions, and diabetic feet are more common in seniors. Consulting a qualified foot doctor near you at the earliest can help prevent these conditions from worsening.
What is the primary difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedist?
The medical field is vast, and it can be confusing for many people to determine the type of doctor they need to see for their condition or health issue. Doctors often have multiple specializations to widen their knowledge and diagnose their patients' ailments more accurately.
One common source of confusion is distinguishing between podiatrists and orthopedists. While these medical professions share similarities, the key difference between them lies in their area of focus.
Podiatrists specialize exclusively in the care of the feet and ankles. As medical doctors, they are trained to address a wide range of conditions affecting these areas, including bones, soft tissues, joints, and skin issues. Podiatrists also manage the vascular, neurological, dermatological, and biomechanical aspects of the foot and ankle. Their expertise enables them to offer both conservative and surgical treatments tailored to individual needs.
When considering foot or ankle surgery, it is important to choose a podiatrist with the designation DPM after their name, ensuring they have the necessary qualifications for specialized care. Podiatrists often collaborate with other medical professionals to address more complex health issues.
Orthopedic doctors have a broader focus on treating issues related to the bones, muscles, and ligaments throughout the body. While they do provide care for foot and ankle problems, their expertise extends to other areas, such as the knees, hips, and shoulders. They offer both surgical and medical treatments for the body's bone and joint system.
If you are experiencing foot pain that is connected to other areas of your body or if your foot injury affects different body parts, consulting a general orthopedist may be beneficial. However, for specialized foot and ankle care, a podiatrist's focused expertise may be more effective in diagnosing and treating your specific condition.
Common foot surgeries
Foot surgery can range from simple bunion surgery to sophisticated procedures such as Achilles tendon reattachment. The foot is a complex structure with many components, making it susceptible to various issues. In case of foot problems, standing and walking might become a nightmare. Foot surgery can help you regain foot function by correcting abnormalities in your feet.
People with severe foot problems who do not respond to non-surgical treatments can consider foot surgery after consulting a podiatrist. Individuals with chronic foot discomfort due to a prior ailment may also consider foot surgery.
The following are a few types of foot surgeries:
1. Crooked toe foot surgery
Crooked toes can be painful. Walking may be difficult and uncomfortable if crooked toes have set permanently and are left untreated. During surgery, the podiatrist near you will either fix or replace the injured joint (arthroplasty) or remove the joint and immobilize the digit (arthrodesis).
2. Bunion foot surgery
A bunion is a hallux valgus bone malformation at the base of the big toe. Hallux valgus results from the big toe being pushed inwards towards the other toes due to poor footwear choices (high heels and small front). A bunion foot surgery is an osteotomy that straightens the big toe and neighboring bones (metatarsals).
3. Heel foot surgery
A sore heel can make walking difficult. When no other therapies are effective, podiatrists suggest heel surgery. There are several types of heel surgeries; the most common is the plantar fascia release surgery. The plantar fascia is simply a band of tissue that helps connect the toes to the heel bone and is the target of the surgery. Depending on the circumstances, the foot doctor may remove some of this tissue and release the tension in this region.
4. Neuroma foot surgery
Morton's neuroma is a condition where the tissues covering the nerves in the foot become thick, making the foot overly sensitive. During neuroma foot surgery, the surgeon removes the affected nerve.
Tips on keeping your feet healthy
Your feet, often overlooked, play a vital role in your mobility, supporting the weight of your entire body and adapting to various types of footwear daily. With a bit of care and attention, you can maintain the hygiene and health of your feet, ensuring they continue to serve you well.
Check both your feet daily for any cuts, sores, or wounds that can cause infections. Clean them with warm water and use a moisturizer afterward. Avoid applying moisturizer between the toes, which can lead to infection. Trim your toenails regularly and use an emery board to smoothen the corners so the nail doesn't grow into the skin. Wear comfortable footwear with proper arch support, and avoid wearing higher heels as much as possible.
When should you see a podiatrist near you?
You should consider visiting a podiatrist if you notice any of the following symptoms in your foot or ankle:
- Pain.
- Discoloration or redness.
- Swelling.
- A sensation of heat or warmth.
- New growths or bumps (either on or under your skin).
While many common foot issues are not life-threatening, it’s essential to consult a podiatrist before attempting any at-home treatments. Trying to self-diagnose or use over-the-counter (OTC) remedies without professional guidance could potentially worsen what might initially be a minor problem.
Diabetes foot care
If you have diabetes, a podiatrist can be an important part of your healthcare team. They are experts in identifying and addressing foot problems related to diabetes.
Diabetes can increase the likelihood of foot sores and infections, and often, issues with your feet may be one of the earliest signs of nerve damage caused by diabetes. When you visit a podiatrist, they will:
- Discuss any symptoms you’ve noticed and review how you’re managing your blood sugar.
- Examine your feet, toes, and legs for any signs of trouble.
- Use various tools to check for numbness or a lack of sensation in your feet and legs.
If a podiatrist finds a blister or ulcer related to diabetes, they will:
- Evaluate it for infection by looking for signs like swelling, discoloration, warmth, or discharge.
- Request imaging tests, such as X-rays, to investigate beneath the skin.
- Take a sample of the discharge or skin to test for infection.
Find the best podiatrist near you in Keller, Texas
If you are looking for a qualified podiatrist, Zocdoc can help you find one easily. Go to the Zocdoc website and enter the specialty/condition, your preferred location, and your insurance carrier and plan. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.
However, when searching for or booking an appointment, you can only use one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can mention your secondary carrier and plan in the provider notes during the final step of booking.
If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can also add your secondary insurance information when filling them out online. For more questions about insurance, visit Zocdoc's insurance page.
It will generate a list of podiatrists as per the search criteria.
On Zocdoc, each practitioner has a separate profile, which includes information such as their educational qualifications, areas of expertise, languages spoken, years of experience, certifications, etc. You can also search for a podiatrist based on their gender, the languages they speak, whether they treat children and much more. You can read the user-verified patient reviews and ratings to help you make the right choice.
After reviewing the search results and vetting the details to your satisfaction, you can book an appointment with a podiatrist near you in Kellar, Texas. You may also find specialists available on weekends or after regular hours. All bookings made on Zocdoc are free, simple, and secure.
Statistics on podiatrists in Texas and the U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment prospects of podiatrists will grow at a modest 1% from 2022 to 2032. Around 300 podiatrist positions will likely open up annually over this same period of ten years. A report by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program for May 2023 shows that there were around 9,470 podiatrists employed across the country. At nearly 5,580, health practitioners' offices employed the most podiatrists. As per the same report, there were approximately 260 podiatrists employed in Texas.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for podiatrists is expected to grow by a modest 1% from 2022 to 2032. This growth is projected to result in approximately 300 new podiatrist positions opening up annually over the ten-year period.
A report from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program for May 2023 indicates that there were approximately 9,470 podiatrists employed nationwide. Health practitioners' offices employed the largest number of podiatrists, with nearly 5,580 professionals working in this setting. In Texas specifically, the report shows that there were around 260 podiatrists employed during the same period.
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area is among the top-paying regions for podiatrists in the U.S. These figures indicate that podiatrists are in great demand in Texas.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
UConn Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
Footcare.net
Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates
Joint Replacement Institute
Cleveland Clinic
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