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Who is a podiatrist?

Medical specialists who treat complications related to your feet and lower legs are known as podiatrists. They can diagnose and treat foot issues caused by diabetes and arthritis. They can treat injuries, too. 

Podiatrists do not attend medical school; they are trained in specialized podiatry schools and professional associations. Podiatrists complete their college with subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics to prepare for podiatry school. After completing graduation, they go to podiatry school for four years. There are nine American Podiatric Medical Association-accredited podiatric schools in the USA. 

After graduating from podiatry school, they work in a hospital for three years for their residency. Podiatrists also work with doctors from other fields, like surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and specialists in infectious diseases. After residency, they can get advanced certifications in surgery for feet and ankles. 

Podiatry subspecialties

After completing their basic podiatric education, most doctors maintain general practices, while some prefer to specialize in a particular area of medicine, requiring additional training. Podiatrists may further choose to specialize in the following subspecialties:

• Dermatological podiatrists (who treat and manage skin disorders)
• Forensic podiatry (or the study of footprints and shoe prints for crime scene investigations)
• Gerontological podiatrists (such podiatrists treat foot conditions specifically affecting older adults)
• Podiatric sports medicine (treatment and prevention of sports injuries)
• Diagnostic podoradiology (which involves foot and ankle radiology)
• Podopediatrics (pediatric podiatrists who treat foot conditions affecting children, adolescents, and teens)
• Podiatric diabetology (includes diabetes foot care)
• Podiatric oncology (addressing skin cancers)
• Podiatric orthopedics (these podiatrists treat foot abnormalities with orthotics, prosthetics, and footwear)
• Podiatric rheumatology (which includes treating rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases that affect the feet)
• Podiatric vascular specialist (managing circulation disorders)
• Neuropodiatry (treating nerve disorders)
• Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery (also called consultant podiatric surgery)

Common foot problems

• Athlete's foot: Fungal infections between the toes cause the athlete's foot. The condition can spread and cause itching, discomfort, and even pain. There can be different causes for a fungal infection to build on our feet. Some of them are- When the feet are exposed to the fungus in places like the gym, or a common shower or pools where people generally walk around barefoot and wearing damp and warm shoes for an extended period can cause the infection to build; fungal infection thrives in damp and warm areas. Fungal infections like athlete's foot are highly contagious and spread in areas other than the feet, like hands, groin, and scalp. Symptoms of this condition are itching, blistering, and cracks on some areas of the skin, like heels or toes, along with peeling. An athlete's foot can be treated by keeping the foot dry and clean. Antifungal creams and sprays are available to be applied to the affected areas.

• Bunions: Bunions are bumps on the feet near the large toe joint caused by tight or narrow shoes. Tight shoes create pressure on the toe joint and cause the bump to form. This condition can be genetic, or other factors like rheumatoid arthritis or polio can increase your chances of developing bunions. Some common symptoms of bunions are an apparent bump on the side of the foot, difficulty in moving the big toe, pain in the big toe while walking, tenderness around the big toe, and callus formation below the big toe. Podiatrists can suggest custom-made shoe inserts or bunion pads to tackle the pressure on the feet; they can also recommend using splints to straighten the big toe. If the discomfort or pain doesn't subside, the specialist can also perform surgery to treat it.

• Ingrown nails: Ingrown nails are caused when the toenails start growing into the nail groove, causing pain and discomfort. This condition develops because of poorly fitting shoes, cutting the toenails too short, and trauma to the feet due to running and jogging. This condition can also be genetic. If parents have ingrown toenails, the children are more likely to have them, too. Some common symptoms of the disease are redness, swelling, pain, or even drainage if it gets worse, which can indicate infection. A few ways to treat and prevent ingrown toenails: Use antibacterial soaps to wash the feet and keep them clean and dry, properly trim the toenails, avoid cutting the nails too short in the corners, and wear well-fitted shoes that are not too narrow. If the condition still doesn't improve, one should see a podiatrist; they may need to remove a portion of the toenail and prescribe an antibiotic to tackle the infection.

• Plantar fasciitis: This problem occurs when the ligament called plantar fascia located on the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. This ligament supports the foot's arch. Factors like obesity, high arch, calf muscles, and frequent running can cause the conditions. Common symptoms are pain at the bottom of the heel that worsens with activity. The condition can be tackled at home by resting the foot and applying ice to reduce the inflammation. Stretching the foot meticulously before and after physical activities helps reduce heel pain. Wearing supportive shoes can also help with the pain. If the condition doesn't improve with home remedies, physical therapy or podiatrists can prescribe steroid injections to reduce the inflammation.

• Blisters: Blisters are caused by walking and running for long periods, especially with ill-fitted shoes and sweaty feet. Blisters are fluid-filled pockets and aren't severe, mostly. One should never burst a blister and be left to heal alone. Applying a bandage to it can provide relief. If the blisters frequently occur along with flu-like symptoms, one should speak with a podiatrist.

Signs you need to see a podiatrist

If you often experience pain in your feet or have suffered a foot injury, you may want to consider seeing a foot doctor near you. However, getting your feet checked, even if they are not hurt, is also advisable. Moreover, risk groups with severe health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, poor blood circulation, and obesity need to visit a podiatrist and get their feet examined routinely. 

The following signs may warrant a visit to the podiatrist: 

• Continuous heel pain
• Sudden pain, tingling, or numbness in one or both feet
• Recurring infections in the feet not getting treated with over-the-counter medications or ointments
• Ingrown toenails 
• Nail fungus 
• If you suspect you have a broken foot or ankle 
• You notice thickened areas of dead skin on your feet, which are becoming painful (corns or calluses)
• If you are unable to find out the root cause of your joint pain

How to prepare for a podiatrist appointment? 

Preparing for your podiatrist appointment beforehand can help you get the most out of your initial consultation. Here's how the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends preparing for your visit:

• Note down all the symptoms you have been experiencing. Also, note the frequency and duration of these symptoms. 
• If you have any concerns or questions regarding treatment, diagnostic procedures, or medications, ensure you carry a list of these questions with you to your appointment. 
• Do not forget to carry all your previous health records. This includes your personal and family medical history, any medications you have been taking (over-the-counter included), and if you have had any tests (X-rays, MRI scans, and lab reports) or surgeries done in the past. This information will allow your podiatrist to make an accurate diagnosis. 
• If you are facing issues walking or running, bring your walking or exercising shoes to your appointment. They can help determine if your shoes are the right fit for you or if you need better shoe support depending on the arch of your feet or the physical activities you perform. Your doctor can also review previously prescribed inserts or orthotics if you wear any. 
• If you have special needs, inform your podiatrist's office before going and take a friend or family member along with you if required.  

What happens during the first podiatrist appointment?

During your initial visit with a podiatrist, the process will be similar to seeing any other type of doctor. You will get asked questions about your medical history, current medications, and any previous surgeries you may have had.

The podiatrist will assess how you stand and walk and examine the flexibility of your joints and the fit of your shoes. This first appointment often focuses on treating various conditions such as bunions, ingrown toenails, heel and lower back pain, foot deformities, and circulation issues related to diabetes.

The podiatrist may recommend treatments like orthotics, padding, or physical therapy to address your concerns. In-office treatment is also available for several conditions. They may use tools like syringes to administer pain medication, nail splitters or a nail anvil to remove ingrown toenails, scalpels to remove corns and calluses, or cryotherapy equipment to freeze off plantar warts.

What are the treatment options provided by a podiatrist?

Podiatrists train to provide a range of treatments, from non-invasive therapies to surgical procedures. These aim to relieve pain, improve mobility and function, and prevent further complications.

One of the primary treatments that podiatrists provide is setting fractured bones, which is often necessary when an individual has suffered a broken foot or ankle. A podiatrist will immobilize the affected area with a cast or brace, allowing the bone to heal correctly.

A podiatrist can also prescribe medication to manage pain, antibiotics to treat infections, and antifungals to treat fungal infections. Corticosteroids or cortisone joint injections are common treatments for arthritis or joint inflammation. A podiatrist may perform joint aspiration for conditions involving excess fluid around a joint, which includes removing fluid from the joint space to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Podiatric surgeons receive training to perform various surgical procedures to treat foot and ankle conditions. These may include procedures to treat inflamed or torn tendons and ligaments, set broken bones, remove bunions, bone spurs, and tumors, and debride damaged or infected tissue. They may also correct structural abnormalities, such as hammertoes and flat feet, through surgical intervention.

Find top-rated foot doctors near you in Pittsburgh, PA

Problems related to our feet often go unnoticed unless they start hurting us or have worsened due to negligence. Therefore, booking a consultation with a podiatrist as soon as the condition causes discomfort is very important. Booking visits can become a task as hospitals are often overburdened with patients. Long queues for appointments can also prevent us from seeking medical help. Zocdoc brings the perfect solution to this problem. 

Our innovative platform allows you to book an appointment slot online from the comfort of your home. You can search for the condition you're suffering from and be directed to top-rated specialists near you. Zocdoc maintains transparency by displaying all the relevant information about podiatrists, like their qualifications, certifications, experience, and the language the specialist speaks. Along with this information, you can also access the public ratings and reviews of the specialist to have an idea about the experience.  

Not only this, Zocdoc helps you streamline your search by helping you find a foot doctor near you who accepts your insurance plan. You can choose a video or in-person appointment with the provider of your choice in a matter of minutes. 

All bookings made on Zocdoc are completely safe, simple, and free!

Arthritis statistics in Pennsylvania

According to a 2019 report by the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis was found to be the primary cause of disability among adults in the United States. It also states that almost 50% of adults 65 and older reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. It's more common in women than men. Along with its prevalence, arthritis is also associated with depression. About 18.1% of people with arthritis have a risk of developing depression. 

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, more than 2.95 million (31%) adults in the state have reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Almost 35% of those affected could not perform the usual activities of daily living. In comparison, nearly 75% of patients reported experiencing stiffness, pain, and swelling in their joints for over a month. 

Sources

Medical News Today[1]

Medical News Today[2]

WebMD

Arthritis Foundation

Pennsylvania Department of Health

South Shore Health

Verywell Health

American Podiatric Medical Association

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.