Who is a podiatrist?
The feet form the body's foundation. They support the body, help us maintain balance, and ensure our overall well-being. With 26 bones, 33 joints, and several muscles, ligaments, and tendons, the foot has a complex anatomy. A podiatrist is a medical professional who detects and treats diseases and injuries in the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Podiatrists combine clinical and surgical care of the feet to address the various foot-related issues that their patients may face.
What kind of education and training do podiatrists receive?
To qualify as a podiatrist in the United States, one must complete a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from an accredited podiatric medical institution and undergo an additional three-year residency training. Podiatrists must also pass the exams required to be board-certified by one of the following organizations:
- American Board of Podiatric Medicine
- American Board of Multiple Specialities in Podiatry
- American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
Podiatrists must also acquire a license to practice in any state. They may specialize in a specific domain, such as primary care, orthopedics, surgery, diabetic wound care, radiology, podiatric dermatology, sports medicine, or pediatrics.
What do podiatrists typically do?
Generally, you may seek care from a podiatrist near you for foot-related concerns. These specialists see patients with various problems, such as an infected wound on the foot or a leg sprain. They also help treat injuries caused by underlying conditions, including arthritis and diabetes. Podiatrists are often the first to diagnose such conditions and refer the patient to other specialists for further treatment. Following are some foot-related issues that these foot doctors typically address:
- Corns, calluses, bunions, discolored or ingrown toenails
- Fractures, sprains, and other injuries
- Flat feet
- Preventive foot care
- Skin infections in the feet
- Age-related feet problems
- Weakness or numbness in the foot
- Poor blood circulation in the feet
Once they provide a diagnosis, podiatrists recommend treatment options where they may work alone or with an entire team, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Podiatrists provide treatments such as:
- Prescribing medications such as pain relievers, antifungals, and antibiotics
- Setting fractured bones
- Providing corticosteroid or cortisone joint injections
- Removing fluid from the space around a joint
- Recommending corrective footwear and orthotic devices like braces and insoles
Podiatric surgeons perform surgical procedures such as setting broken bones, removing bunions and tumors, treating inflamed or torn ligaments, and correcting structural abnormalities like hammertoes and flat feet. Podiatrists also provide preventive plans for future care.
Procedures performed by podiatrists
As mentioned above, podiatrists can manage and perform surgeries for common foot conditions such as ingrown toenails, foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis, corns, calluses, and more. Here are some of the other procedures they may offer:
- Traumatic surgeries: While not all podiatrists perform surgical procedures, some specialize in repairing injuries and structural issues in the foot. This can include treating foot, toe, and bone fractures through trauma-related surgeries.
- Ankle surgery: Podiatrists may conduct ankle surgeries in various situations, such as chronic ankle instability, where they might recommend lateral ankle ligament repair or reconstruction. For acute issues like sudden pain, swelling, or bruising in the ankle, a podiatrist may order an X-ray to diagnose the problem and suggest treatments like surgery or an ankle brace for fractures.
- Ingrown toenail removal: This procedure treats the uncomfortable condition where a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, often caused by tight footwear, injuries, or the nail’s natural shape. If the condition does not resolve on its own, podiatrists can perform a minor surgical procedure under local anesthesia to remove the affected nail.
- Metatarsal foot surgery: In cases of arthritis or bunions, surgery on the metatarsal bones (located behind each toe) may be necessary. This is particularly relevant for pain and swelling in the metatarsal-phalangeal joints caused by arthritis. Metatarsal foot surgery removes part of those affected joint heads, which helps relieve arthritic discomfort and restore mobility.
Even though both specialists treat similar medical concerns, they are not the same type of doctor. An orthopedist treats musculoskeletal disorders that affect the whole body. Some common acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions are:
- Arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Bursitis
- Chronic muscle pain
- Fractures
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Sports injuries
Conversely, a podiatrist only treats conditions affecting the foot and, in some cases, the ankle and lower leg. Although some orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating foot and ankle problems, many patients seek initial care from podiatrists.
When should you see a podiatrist?
We often put off visiting a doctor about problems related to our feet and ankles until our pain is debilitating. Many of us remain unaware that ignoring these problems can have serious consequences. It is important to remember that any discomfort you feel when you walk is not normal, and you must take it seriously. You must regularly inspect your feet and check how you feel while walking. Consider booking an appointment with a foot doctor near you if you observe any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent swelling in your feet
- Bunions, corns, or calluses
- Pain in the joints or difficulty in walking
- Thick, hardened layers of skin
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis), a fungal skin infection
- Dry or cracked skin
- Discolored toenails or infected toenails
- Smelly feet
- Sharp or burning pain
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the foot
- Sores or ulcers
- Any other abnormality related to the feet
Some health conditions can potentially increase your risk of developing foot disease. Preventive care of your feet is necessary if you are obese, have a heart condition, experience poor circulation, or have been diagnosed with diabetes.
What is an athlete's foot, and what is the treatment?
If your feet and toes feel itchy, stingy, or have a burning sensation, you might have athlete's foot. It's a contagious problem caused by a fungus, which you can pick up in places like locker rooms, public showers, or swimming pools. Along with the discomfort, you might notice blisters on your feet, crumbly toenails, or dry, cracked skin.
To treat it, you can start with products you can buy without a prescription at the store. But if your athlete's foot is bad, you should see a podiatrist for more appropriate care.
What are bunions, and what is the treatment?
If you notice a bump on the side of your big toe, it could be a bunion. Bunions happen when your big toe starts bending towards your other toes, which can hurt when you walk. They might also make your big toe and the one next to it swollen and sore. Bunions can happen because of the shape of your feet (genetically), and wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes or standing for too long can make them worse.
To help with bunions, try wearing shoes that fit well and are comfortable. You can also ease the discomfort with over-the-counter pain medicine. But if your bunions bother you, seeing your doctor's is a good idea. They can advise you about treatment options to help you feel better.
What are blisters, and what is the treatment?
Blisters are those raised bubbles of fluid that can pop up on your feet. They can be painful. Wearing shoes that don't fit well, standing or walking for a long time, or having sweaty feet can cause blisters.
Blisters aren't usually too serious, and you can take care of them at home. Just let the blister heal on its own and cover it with a bandage to make it feel better. If you need to drain the blister, do it carefully with clean tools. After draining it, keep the blister covered with a bandage and some antibiotic ointment until it heals.
But if you have blisters that won't go away or if you additionally start feeling sick, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can determine what's happening and how to treat it.
What should you expect at your first appointment?
An experienced podiatrist will patiently listen to your symptoms during your first consultation. They might ask you about the symptoms and your general health, past issues, and family health history. The podiatrist will likely physically examine your feet and order diagnostic tests based on your signs and symptoms. These tests could be X-rays or other imaging studies. These will help the podiatrist diagnose bone deformities, injuries, abnormal growths, etc.
They may also conduct a non-invasive ultrasound test to check if you have adequate circulation in your feet. If needed, your podiatrist could order some blood tests to check if you suffer from any underlying illness like diabetes or arthritis that may be causing your foot problems. If they suspect that lifestyle issues are the root cause of your foot problems, they may suggest lifestyle changes like weight loss or dietary modifications to address your concerns.
Where can one find a good podiatrist in Louisville, KY?
You can book an appointment with the best podiatrists near you in Louisville by just spending a few minutes online. Log in to the Zocdoc website or app and enter your location, the issue you want advice on, and your preferred appointment date.
Based on this information, Zocdoc will share a list of the best foot doctors near you. You can filter results based on the doctor's gender, the languages they speak, their hospital affiliations, and whether they treat kids. Using a simple filter, you can easily check which podiatrists accept your specific insurance coverage. If you prefer not to share your insurance information with a provider when booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you can acknowledge that you will be paying out-of-pocket. Certain providers may require insurance details to confirm a booking. If you don’t have insurance or wish to avoid using it for your visit, you can explore other providers on Zocdoc who accommodate your preferences.
We at Zocdoc want you to have the best experience possible when seeking medical care. So, every doctor's profile on Zocdoc is verified and includes their educational qualifications, board certifications, experience, and languages they speak. You can also read reviews from patients who booked their appointments through Zocdoc.
Zocdoc allows you to book in-person and video consultations with a foot doctor near you. If you encounter any problems during the process, you can refer to the Zocdoc patient help center. Booking appointments with podiatrists near you through Zocdoc is simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics on podiatrists in Kentucky
Diabetes and arthritis are common health conditions associated with foot problems. According to the American Diabetes Association, roughly 13.6% of the adult population in Kentucky has been diagnosed with diabetes. Moreover, approximately 31,090 people in the state are diagnosed with the condition yearly. Per the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects roughly 33.5% of the state's population. Out of these cases, about 51.1% have work limitations.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), there are roughly 9,470 podiatrists in the United States. Around 60 podiatrists practice in Kentucky, a lower number than in some other states.
Sources
Healthline
WebMD
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
MedicalNewsToday
American Diabetes Association
Arthritis Foundation
HealthinAging.org
MVS Podiatry Associates
