Who is a podiatrist?
Poor foot health can become an issue, adversely affecting other bodily functions and leading to more severe health problems like heart disease or obesity. If you are feeling pain or discomfort in your feet and ankles, it might be time to consult a podiatrist. Taking care of your feet is vital to protecting your overall well-being.
Doctors specializing in foot and ankle disorders are known as podiatrists. They are experts in routine foot care and complex surgical procedures. A podiatrist is capable of diagnosing various kinds of ailments, including but not limited to:
- Heel pain
- Bunions
- Arch problems
- Ingrown toenails
- Neuromas
- Flat feet
- Fungal infections
- Hammertoes
Podiatrists can diagnose and treat these conditions and provide orthotics (custom shoe inserts), bracing, and physical therapy.
Education and training of podiatrists in the US
Podiatrists must complete a four-year program in podiatric medical schools to receive the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Then, they must complete a residency program in internal medicine, anesthesiology, infectious diseases, or pediatrics, among other fields. This way, podiatrists can gain experience in different medical specialties. They can then be certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
What are the different podiatric subspecialties?
Podiatrists can practice as a generalist or pursue one of the following subspecialties:
- Neuro-podiatry
- Podopediatrics
- Forensic podiatry
- Dermatological podiatry
- Gerontological podiatry
- Podiatric oncology
- Podiatric diabetology
- Podiatric orthopedics
- Podiatric rheumatology
- Diagnostic podoradiology
- Podiatric sports medicine
- Podiatric vascular conditions
- Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery
When should you visit a podiatrist?
If you have problems with your feet, seek professional advice from the best podiatrist near you for effective treatment. Here are some common reasons why people visit a podiatrist:
- If you have foot pain: Several factors can cause foot pain, such as bunions, calluses, or hammertoes. A podiatrist can identify the issue and propose the best course of action.
- To keep your feet healthy, you should see a podiatrist on a regular basis. Diabetes foot care is critical in order to avoid catastrophic consequences.
- If you have an ankle or foot injury: A podiatrist can provide rehabilitation exercises to help you recover from different injuries to your ankle or your foot.
- If you are pregnant: To ensure that everything is progressing normally, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist during your pregnancy.
Symptoms of foot issues you must look out for
Foot problems can cause various symptoms that vary from one issue to another. However, there are some common symptoms of foot problems, including:
- Swelling in the feet or toes
- Pain in the feet or toes
- Ingrown toenails
- Redness or inflammation in the feet or toes
- Flat feet
A podiatrist can diagnose your problem and provide better treatment options if you experience these symptoms.
Causes of foot problems
There are many causes of foot problems. These can include:
- Arthritis: Foot pain is often caused by arthritis, especially in older adults. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the feet.
- Bunions: A joint deformity at the base of the big toe can cause pain and difficulty walking.
- Corns and calluses: Calluses and corns are areas of thickened foot skin that can be painful and make wearing shoes difficult.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes risk developing infections, ulcers, and other serious complications caused by nerve damage and poor blood circulation.
- Flat feet: Pes planus, also called flat feet, occurs when the entire sole touches the floor when standing. It can be uncomfortable and make walking difficult.
What conditions does a podiatrist treat?
Besides the conditions listed in the previous section, podiatrists also treat the following:
- Athlete's foot: Also called tinea pedis, this condition is a fungal infection that can worsen due to poor foot hygiene and diabetes. Athlete's foot mainly targets the space between your toes, its symptoms being itchiness, burning sensation, redness of the skin, and cracked skin of the affected areas. Antifungal medication and improving foot hygiene can prevent severe athlete's foot.
- Plantar fasciitis: The plantar fascia, a thick and tight tissue, connects your toes to the bone of your heel. Irritation or inflammation of this tissue causes plantar fasciitis, symptoms of which include foot and heel pain, stiffness, and swelling. Resting and icing can relieve the symptoms; your podiatrist can also suggest stretching exercises and medication if the pain is severe.
- Morton's neuroma: Morton's neuroma occurs due to the thickening of nerves between your toes (typically between your third and fourth toes). There is only about a 15% chance of developing this condition in both feet. Its symptoms include sharp, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and cramping. The treatment of Morton's neuroma includes massages, icing, painkiller medications, and wearing footwear that does not exert pressure on your toes and the ball of the foot.
- Growing pains: This condition is common in children and does not usually require treatment. However, if your child experiences severe pain, their toes do not align correctly, or their feet point inwards, take them to a doctor. Podiatrists can identify what is causing the symptoms and suggest exercises, braces, or insoles accordingly. In rare instances, they might recommend surgery.
How to maintain foot hygiene?
Podiatrists can help you maintain your foot hygiene by teaching you how to properly care for your feet and prevent problems from occurring. Here are some essential tips on how to maintain foot hygiene:
- Wash your feet with water and soap. Ensure to cleanse between your toes.
- Dry your feet thoroughly, particularly the space between the toes.
- Trim your nails and file any rough edges.
- Wear socks that fit well and change them every day.
- Wear shoes that provide support and fit comfortably.
How to find the best podiatrist near you in Littleton, Colorado?
Finding a podiatrist that suits your needs may require a lot of work. However, Zocdoc has made that easy by providing a comprehensive database of the best healthcare providers in your preferred location. We provide a platform for searching and comparing the best healthcare professionals across the US. Our easy-to-use interface and unique search filters simplify shortlisting a provider and booking an appointment. Creating a patient-friendly healthcare experience has always been Zocdoc's goal.
Using the Zocdoc search box, enter your condition, location, required appointment date, and insurance plan. Zocdoc will then provide a list of podiatrists in your area. Healthcare personnel can be filtered based on gender, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and whether they work with children.
You can also check a provider's profile on Zocdoc to learn more about their educational qualifications, specialties, location, honors, and licensure, among others. Additionally, Zocdoc provider profiles have verified patient ratings and reviews that can give you a better understanding of the provider's professional mannerisms and select the best podiatrist near you!
In addition to in-person appointments, Zocdoc also offers video consultations. Look for the purple video button on the provider's profile. You can arrange an appointment during business hours, before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or on weekends, depending on the physical therapist's availability.
All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Statistics about arthritis and diabetes in Colorado
In the state of Colorado, in 2021, 23.7% of people had arthritis. Of these, 8.3% were aged 18-44, and 50.6% of people were over the age of 65. Moreover, arthritis was also more common among women (26.4%) than men (21%).
Poor blood flow can damage nerves and blood vessels in the feet due to blood sugar imbalances. Nearly 27% of Colorado residents have diabetes, according to a 2021 report. 1.8% were aged 18-44, while 16% were above the age of 65. Diabetes was also reported more among women (7.1%) than men (6.9%). Diabetics are more likely to suffer from foot diseases and severe infections like gangrene.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Healthline
Mayo Clinic
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
America's Health Rankings[1]
America's Health Rankings[2]
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Verywell Health[3]
Verywell Health[4]
