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Who is a podiatrist?

Podiatrists specialize in treating conditions and ailments related to the feet. They can perform surgeries, treat broken bones, prescribe medications, and order lab tests or X-rays. They are medical experts with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and address various issues concerning the feet, ankles, heels, and toes.

People often ignore foot pain until it hinders their daily activities. As you age, you will likely develop discomfort that is not permanent and can be checked and treated early. This pain could be due to many reasons, and a podiatrist can help find the cause. 

Education and qualifications of a podiatrist

Aspiring podiatrists gain years of formal education and experience. They major in biology, chemistry, and physics during college, preparing them to learn and understand more advanced biology as they enter podiatry school.

They then complete four years of podiatry education, focusing on nerves, bones, and muscles. They also learn how they all function together and study illnesses and injuries related to each. They earn theoretical knowledge to diagnose, treat, and prevent various conditions. However, only after extensive postgraduate training can a podiatrist perform foot surgery.

All podiatry schools are associated with and accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association. 

Podiatric conditions and disorders

There are various issues and disorders that podiatrists can manage and treat. Some common foot problems they tackle are:

• Bunions: A Bunion is a misaligned bone at the base of the big toe, causing it to bend abnormally toward the tiny toes.
• Calluses: They can appear as patches of yellow, dead, and thickened skin on the toes, which a podiatrist can remove using tools to alleviate the pain.
• Hammertoes: Usually common in the second or middle toe, sometimes toe joints curl up or under, permanently dislocating it in most cases.
• Heel pain: Many people, especially women, experience heel pain due to ill-fitting footwear. It can also be due to many other reasons, and an X-ray can help determine the exact cause.
• Numbness: If you have swelling, numbness, or pain in your foot, it can be a cause for concern. You must consider seeing a podiatrist if these symptoms last more than two days without reduced intensity.
• Nail fungus occurs due to a lack of hygiene or frequent salon visits, making the nail look discolored and thick. If not treated on time, it can spread and worsen the condition.
• Ingrown toenails: Primarily affecting the big toe, toenails may sometimes grow into the skin because of poor footwear or other causes. If not treated in time, the podiatrist may need to remove the nail.
• Injuries: Athletes and dancers often experience foot and ankle injuries, which can be due to ligament tears or broken bones. But if delayed, they may be challenging to treat. 
• Diabetes-related foot issues: Diabetic patients are prone to contracting foot problems that, in severe cases, can even lead to amputation. It is due to reduced blood circulation, peripheral arterial disease, etc.

Sub-specialties within podiatry

Podiatry encompasses various sub-specialties catering to diverse patient needs. These sub-specialties are essential for addressing specific conditions comprehensively and ensuring optimal patient care:

• Sports podiatry: Sports podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and managing foot and lower limb injuries commonly encountered in athletes. They provide biomechanical assessments and develop rehabilitation programs tailored to individual athletes to enhance performance and prevent injuries.
• Pediatric podiatry: Pediatric podiatrists specialize in the foot health of children, addressing conditions such as flat feet, toe-walking, and congenital deformities. They are crucial in early intervention, ensuring proper foot development and function as children grow.
• Podiatric diabetology: Diabetic foot specialists focus on the prevention and management of foot complications associated with diabetes, such as neuropathy, ulcers, and infections. They emphasize patient education, regular foot screenings, and customized treatment plans to minimize the risk of serious complications, including amputation.
• Surgical podiatry: Surgical podiatrists are trained in various foot and ankle surgeries. They employ traditional and minimally invasive techniques to address complex foot deformities and injuries, aiming to restore function and alleviate pain.
• Geriatric podiatry: Geriatric podiatrists specialize in the foot health of elderly patients, addressing age-related changes, such as arthritis, reduced circulation, and more. They focus on fall prevention, managing chronic conditions, and promoting mobility and independence in older adults.
• Orthopedic podiatry: Orthopedic podiatrists concentrate on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the foot and ankle, such as fractures, sprains, and tendonitis. They may collaborate closely with orthopedic surgeons to provide comprehensive care, including conservative treatments and surgical interventions.
• Podiatric oncology: Podiatric oncology is a sub-specialty of podiatry focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing cancer or tumors affecting the foot and ankle. Podiatric oncologists employ a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with oncologists, surgeons, and other experts to provide comprehensive care for benign and deadly tumors in the lower extremities.

What to expect at your podiatrist appointment

If you have persistent pain, swelling, or discomfort in your ankles and feet, it may be time to ask your primary care provider for a referral to a podiatrist. Even though many problems that affect your feet are not life-threatening, self-diagnosing or starting over-the-counter treatments without seeing a healthcare provider like a podiatrist can do more harm than good. In some cases, minor issues may turn severe if not treated properly. Additionally, if you are a diabetic patient, a complete foot exam must be done routinely by either your primary care physician or podiatrist. 

During the visit, your podiatrist will first ask you about your symptoms as well as your family and medical history. They may also want to know about previous injuries and surgeries related to your foot. This will be followed by: 

• Examining your feet, toes, and legs for tenderness, numbness, and signs of infection, such as discoloration, swelling, warmth, or discharge. 
• Testing the range of motion in your joints and conducting a gait assessment, i.e., examining the way you stand or walk. During their examination, your podiatrist will check for conditions like flat feet, fractures, ingrown toenails, deformities, and joint issues. 
• Checking the circulation in your feet and determine if you have diabetes or vascular disease. To check blood flow to your feet, your podiatrist may perform an ankle-brachial index test. This test compares the blood pressure in your ankles and arms. If the BP in your ankles is lower compared to your arms, you may have reduced blood flow to your foot. 
• Examining the skin of your feet for dryness, cracking, and other damage or abnormal areas. 
• Examining your toenails for cracks and fungal infections. 
• Ordering X-rays or taking a tissue sample of your skin or discharge to test for infection.
• Your podiatrist may also check if you have properly fitting shoes and ask questions about your other footwear. Shoes that don't fit well often lead to blisters, calluses, or ulcers.
• For diabetic patients, podiatrists test the nerves in the feet using tests like the monofilament test, pricking your big toe to check if you can feel it, ankle reflex tests, and tuning fork and vibration perception threshold tests (or VPT). 
• If you have diabetes, your podiatrist may ask how you manage your blood sugar at home and monitor your progress through routine tests. 

Depending on your symptoms, your treatment can range from pain medications to steroid injections, custom orthotics, or physical therapy. Your podiatrist might treat some issues in their clinic or office. If non-surgical treatments do not work, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. Podiatrists can perform arthroscopy, correction of hammertoe, bunion removal, and repair of torn tendons or ligaments. Additionally, they also perform routine services like removing calluses, providing specialized care for preventing ulcers, managing fungal infections, and trimming nails to prevent ingrown toenails. 

In case your podiatrist finds that symptoms of the foot are potentially related to disease in other body systems, they will refer you to a medical specialist.  

Ways to maintain foot hygiene and health

While visiting a podiatrist near you is vital for maintaining foot health, you can adopt and implement several methods at home to keep your feet healthy, hygienic, and moving. Here are some common foot care tips:

• Ensure you wear well-fitting shoes: Ill-fitted shoes may hamper your walking pattern and balance and lead to an injury. Do not depend on the idea of your new shoes stretching to fit your feet or "breaking them in." The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society guidelines dictate that a shoe that fits well should allow the ball of your foot to be comfortable in the broadest part of the shoe. Find the correct running shoes according to your foot arch. Individuals with flat feet or feet with low arches must buy shoes that promote stability and motion control. In contrast, feet with high arches require cushioned running shoes with a soft midsole to compensate for poor shock absorption. 
• Take special care of your feet if you have diabetes: Diabetes is often associated with several foot complications, including nerve damage or neuropathy, foot ulcers, numbness, tingling sensations, and infections. These issues can lead to amputation if left untreated. Diabetic patients must check their feet frequently for open wounds, cuts, or bruises. Be gentle and use lukewarm water to wash your feet. It is also crucial for people with diabetes to wear comfortable-fitting shoes and diabetic socks that can help prevent infections and improve blood flow. 
• Buy appropriate footwear for different sports: Each sport requires specific footwear for optimal performance since every sport is different. Sport-specific footwear optimizes your performance in that sport and helps prevent common injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures. For example, sports like basketball, tennis, and volleyball require lighter shoes with thick soles that provide support for impact. For runners, sports shoes must absorb shock and be replaced after 600-800 miles of regular running. 
• Ensure you do a pedicure correctly: You can do it at home or at the salon. Follow some essential and inexpensive pedicure tips at home to keep your feet looking and feeling the best. Clip your nails with toenail clippers to avoid ingrown nails, and file them gently in one direction. Using a wooden or rubber manicure stick, clean the dirt from under your nails. Also, make sure to clean your tools before and after you do a pedicure or manicure to avoid infections. 
• Keep your feet dry and clean: Damp or sweaty feet can lead to fungal and bacterial infections. Washing your feet daily and drying the skin between your toes can help eliminate foul odor and dirt. You can also apply antifungal powder to keep your feet odorless and dry. Additionally, use foot cream and wear warm socks during the winter to prevent them from over-drying. If you have calluses, blisters, and warts, do not remove them using foot peels or callus shavers.

Find the best podiatrist near you in McLean, VA

No pain is pleasant, and especially when your foot hurts, it can cause a lot of hindrance in your daily life. In such a situation, it is vital to consult a reliable and experienced podiatrist as soon as possible to help treat the condition before it worsens. However, finding a podiatrist can be a challenging process. Zocdoc can help you locate some of the best and top-rated podiatrists in McLean, Virginia, in just a few clicks.

Register with your credentials on Zocdoc and enter details like your condition, location, and insurance carrier to begin your search. You will get a comprehensive list of all the foot doctors who match your criteria. To help you decide further, each listed doctor has a unique profile with information like their education, qualifications, certification, licensure, and other accolades. Additionally, you can filter them based on their gender, languages they speak, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat kids. You may also access verified reviews and ratings from previous patients to understand the specialist better.

If you need clarification about your insurance plan's coverage, you can use Zocdoc's insurance detector. You can also scan and upload your insurance card using the insurance card capture feature to submit your details pre-appointment and make your booking process more accessible. Suppose you opt not to upload a photo of your medical insurance card. You can still input your insurance details into your account by manually selecting your plan from the provided list. For more information, visit the Zocdoc's patient help center.

After you pick the most suitable podiatrist near you, Zocdoc will help you instantly schedule an in-person or virtual appointment based on their availability.

All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!

Podiatric health statistics for Virginia

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is one of the leading causes of lower limb amputations in the U.S. The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in every five diabetics in the U.S. seek hospital care for foot problems. 

According to data collected by America's Health Rankings, 12.8% of the adult population in Virginia was diagnosed with diabetes in 2022, higher than the national average of 11.5%. The data also shows that the prevalence of diabetes in the state increased with age. 25.5% of those above 65 had diabetes, while only 17.3% of those aged between 45 and 64 and 3.4% between 18 and 44 suffered from it.

America's Health Rankings' statistics for 2022 also show that 20.9% of the adult population of Virginia were physically inactive, i.e., they did no exercise or physical activity other than their regular jobs. It was also more prevalent in women than men. 23.8% of women were reported as physically inactive compared to 17.7% of men. While the percentage of inactivity was highest among people over 65 (28.7%), the younger population also showed significant numbers, with physical inactivity reported amongst 16.9% aged between 18-44 and 21.0% aged between 45-64.

Sources

South Shore Health

AGS Health in Aging Foundation

Virginia Department of Health

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

American Podiatric Medical Association[1]

Healthline

WebMD

American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine

The American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics (ACFAP)

Nemours KidsHealth

Royal College of Podiatry

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cleveland Clinic

MedlinePlus

Verywell Health

WebMD

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.