Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a foot and ankle physician-surgeon or podiatrist doctor. A podiatrist specializes in treating and diagnosing conditions related to the ankle, foot, and leg structures. While many people may think of a podiatrist as simply a "foot doctor," they are much more than that. Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPM), called podiatric physicians or surgeons, receive extensive education and training to address various foot and ankle issues.
Podiatrists are highly qualified to treat various conditions such as diabetic complications, pediatric deformities, heel pain, and sports injuries, among others. These doctors undergo a rigorous educational and training process similar to medical doctors, including:
- Four years of undergraduate education
- Four years of graduate studies at one of the nine podiatric medical colleges
- Two to three years of post-graduate residency training.
After completing their training, podiatrists receive a DPM degree. Their specialization in treating foot and ankle issues sets them apart from other medical professionals.
Different specializations of podiatrists
Podiatrists encompass different specialties, with some addressing general foot conditions akin to primary care physicians. In contrast, others focus on specific areas within podiatric medicine, such as sports medicine.
Various podiatric specialties include expertise in:
- Orthotics
- Diabetes management
- Dermatological issues
- Pediatric foot care
- Geriatric foot care
- Neurological foot conditions
- Circulatory foot conditions
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
- General or reconstructive surgery
Podiatrists vs. orthopedists
Podiatrists and orthopedists may address similar medical issues, but they represent distinct types of medical professionals. Podiatrists specifically handle disorders affecting the foot and, at times, the ankle and lower leg. In contrast, orthopedists, also known as orthopedic surgeons, specialize in musculoskeletal disorders that impact the entire body.
Orthopedists are adept at addressing both chronic and acute musculoskeletal conditions, such as bursitis, fractures, arthritis, injuries to ligaments and tendons, neck and back pain, hand and wrist injuries, sports-related injuries, and chronic muscle pain. Many orthopedic surgeons focus on specific body regions, like the hand, spine, or hip, or specialize in distinct treatments such as total joint reconstruction, orthopedic trauma surgery, or sports medicine.
While certain orthopedic surgeons concentrate on foot and ankle treatments, it is common for individuals to seek care from podiatrists initially.
What is the process of diagnosis taken up by a podiatrist?
Podiatrists start diagnosing by checking the person's medical history and current symptoms. They then conduct an essential physical examination of the foot, looking for skin discoloration or swelling indications. They may ask the person to move their feet and toes to track their movement.
Based on the initial findings, the podiatrist may suggest additional tests before finalizing the diagnosis. They may recommend any of the following tests:
- Blood tests — are used to identify infections or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Quantitative sensory testing — determines how well the nerves perceive changes in temperature and vibration using a specialized computer system. Podiatrists use this test to diagnose conditions like diabetic neuropathy and hypersensitivity.
- Electromyography (EMG) — measures muscles' response to nerve impulses. During the test, one or more thin needles, called electrodes, are inserted into the muscle to gauge electrical activity from the muscle tissue. Abnormal EMG results can indicate a nerve problem, and podiatrists use this information to guide the treatment.
Factors that can trigger the risk of foot problems
Certain health conditions can trigger foot problems in individuals. These conditions include obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, poor blood circulation, and heart disease or stroke. People with diabetes risk developing foot issues, making it crucial to monitor any changes in foot sensation closely. Maintaining a journal documenting signs and symptoms related to the feet is recommended. Addressing underlying health conditions can contribute to alleviating foot pain.
Inform your podiatrist promptly if you experience symptoms associated with diabetic foot complications, such as dry or cracked skin, calluses, cracked or dry toenails, discolored toenails, an unpleasant foot odor, sharp or burning pain, tenderness, numbness or tingling, sores or ulcers, and pain in the calves while walking.
Podiatry and diabetes
Podiatric care is one of the most common long-term care methodologies for diabetic care and treatment. Taking good care of your feet and toes is essential if you have diabetes. Therefore, having a foot doctor near you as part of your diabetic care team is necessary.
Foot problems are a common complication associated with diabetes.
Diabetes affects our feet in a couple of ways:
- Supply of blood to the lower areas of our feet will be affected, resulting in slow healing in case of injuries.
- Loss of sensation and feeling in the legs and limbs due to nerve damage.
Problems of the feet, precisely due to complications from diabetes, can be avoided by preventative care of our feet and our vision to take corrective action when required. A podiatrist can help you identify the risks associated with diabetes and prepare a long-term care strategy to help you manage these risks.
Conversations to have with a podiatrist
Preparing for a podiatric treatment is essential to ensure maximum value and impact from our appointment time. Make sure to go equipped with your medical history (in cases of diabetes, your family history with diabetes), and note your questions and concerns beforehand. Some of the things you should discuss with your podiatrist may include the following:
If you're experiencing neuropathy symptoms (loss of sensation and tingling of nerves in the feet), request a monofilament test from your podiatrist. A monofilament test will help you (and your podiatrist) diagnose nerve damage promptly, mitigate its spread, and prepare a treatment plan for long-term management.
Your podiatrist will show means and methods to conduct foot examinations at home, along with signs and symptoms to look out for to diagnose the damage.
- Monitoring body temperature
Scientifically and clinically, temperature monitoring is proven to prevent foot ulcers and amputations by over 87%. Talk to your podiatrist about a routine to include temperature monitoring within your diabetic (or other) podiatric care plan.
Talk to your podiatrist about general ways to maintain foot health and hygiene and what you can do to maintain the long-term health of your feet.
Four benefits of seeing the best foot doctor near you
- Experts in foot and ankle care
No other medical / healthcare provider knows more about the numerous bones, muscles, nerves, and tendons of your feet than a podiatrist. They're super-specialists with foot health and hygiene and are best equipped to ensure proper care and treatment for all your foot problems, including ingrown nails, corns, calluses, athlete's foot, etc.
Our feet and ankles support the weight of our entire body, ensuring their care is essential for the overall health of our body. It is tough to remain physically active and fit if our feet are in constant pain. With their expertise in foot and ankle care, podiatrists help us overcome these issues of the feet and enjoy the holistic health of our body and feet.
- Immediate foot pain relief
Foot and ankle pain is not normal. For example, people with chronic foot pain develop gait abnormalities to reduce discomfort. This, in turn, may lead to a complication (knee pain in the leg) that overcompensates the damaged foot. A podiatrist will provide long-term solutions to foot pain rather than short-term fixes and provide remedies at the source.
- Prescribe and provide the proper footwear.
Wearing the proper footwear goes a long way in avoiding chronic foot and ankle pain. A podiatrist is an expert in footwear management and will advise you on the appropriate footwear for everyday use and specific activities, such as sports.
Finding the best foot doctor near you
Finding a suitable podiatrist catering to your needs can be difficult. At Zocdoc, our comprehensive directory lists the top-rated Podiatrists near you in Phoenix.
Our provider pages display doctor profiles that include the doctor's education, clinical interests, practice history, and certifications. All the listed parameters can help you make the correct decision.
We also provide access to thousands of verified customer reviews to help you choose the best doctor for your condition. Including 'podiatrists' in your search query will lead you to several podiatric practitioners. You can also instantly book an appointment.
All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
Foot problems in Phoenix
Our feet contain almost 50 bones, 200 muscles, 60 joints, tendons, and ligaments across the lower feet. Our legs are responsible for our body's movement and bear the brunt of our body weight daily. According to a study, about 80% of people aged 21 and older have at least one problem with their feet. Often, foot pain is an indicator of other issues with our body.
Additionally, fungal infections and ingrown toenails are significant causes of concern for people involved in major physical activities, especially sports. Some studies have reported that over 35 million Americans have fungal infections that are difficult to cure.
Additionally, diabetic foot ulcerations constitute a significant contributor to reasons for amputations and primary infections. More than 1/3rd of patients with diabetes will have foot ulceration at some point during their lifetime. One in 10 adults in Arizona are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2), 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes, and most (90%) don't know they have this disease. It was reported in 2020 that around 11% of the adult population of Arizona had diabetes.
Sources
Everyday Health
BetterHealth
Phoenician Foot & Ankle Specialists
The University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
America's Health Rankings
Medical News Today
Healthline
