Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is also called a podiatric physician/surgeon or a foot doctor. They complete a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree and opt to specialize in one or two of the recognized podiatric subfields. Although podiatrists do not go through the same route as other medical professionals, they receive training to diagnose and treat conditions of the ankle, foot, and other body structures. Beyond treating the lower extremities, podiatrists possess unique and vast knowledge in managing complications from general and chronic health issues like diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.
Podiatrists work in many settings depending on their interests. If they are interested in academics, they work in health schools and preferred provider organizations. They also work in private or group medical practices, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, extended care facilities, public health services, departments of veterans affairs, armed forces, and municipal health departments.
What kind of education and training do podiatrists receive?
Podiatric aspirants usually finish their undergraduate degree in any science field and prepare for competitive admission examinations. During their four-year podiatric school, they learn about the functioning of bones, nerves, and other muscles. They also take up a mandatory residency program where they gain clinical skills and experience. Other than their primary responsibilities, podiatrists conduct research, discover innovative preventive solutions, order appropriate lab tests and X-rays, and educate patients about foot issues and care.
What do podiatrists do?
In most clinical settings, podiatrists work independently. They use modern science and medical tests to diagnose and treat conditions accurately. They can manage diseases like arthritis, gout, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, peripheral arterial disease, bursitis, etc. Moreover, while dealing with complex problems, they collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Podiatrists treat various illnesses using effective treatment plans to improve their patient's overall quality of life and well-being. They are usually the first to detect symptoms of cardiovascular diseases because the feet are interrelational to many other body parts. Among other things, podiatrists:
- Provide individual consultations to people with concerns or issues in the lower extremities.
- Provide regular treatment and maintenance plans to patients suffering from injuries in the foot.
- Diagnose foot ailments like tumors, ulcers, fractures, skin and nail disorders, and congenital or acquired deformities.
- Use advanced techniques to treat corns, calluses, bunions, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, arch problems, cysts, and abscesses.
- Create flexible and effective casting to immobilize ankle and foot fractures, sprains, or injuries.
- Help with walking patterns, balance, and promote overall mobility and healthy habits.
- Work with other professionals and provide referrals to patients when they need special attention or medical care for complicated issues like heart or kidney diseases.
How are diabetes and foot problems related?
People with diabetes often experience foot problems. Health issues like obesity, prolonged diabetes, high blood pressure, nerve damage, or hyperglycemia can disrupt foot mobility. A person with long-term high blood sugar levels is at a higher risk of diabetes-related nerve damage, known as neuropathy. Neuropathy can manifest in any body area, but the most common locations are the legs and feet.
Neuropathy signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe. You may lose feeling in your feet, and if your feet are numb, it might be hard to notice blisters, cuts, or sores. You might not even notice sensations like a stone or pebble under your feet or even if you are bleeding. For example, in diabetic patients with numbness in the feet, if the skin tears and is left untreated, it can quickly become infected.
Diabetes can also affect the amount and flow of blood that reaches your legs and feet. When you have diabetes, the arteries become narrow or blocked, reducing blood flow and making it hard for diabetes-related foot ulcers to heal. This health condition is known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Specific signs to look out for when you have diabetes are skin darkening in the affected area, loss of hair, numbness, pain, tingling sensations, or reduced ability to sense temperature. You must seek immediate medical help if you experience these issues for over a week.
What are corns and calluses, and how are they treated?
Corns and calluses are thick, tough patches of skin on your feet. They can hurt when you walk or wear shoes. Corns usually form on the top of your foot or toes, while calluses appear on the bottom.
You can help them go away faster by wearing thick socks, rubbing them gently with a pumice stone in the bath or shower, using special pads, or applying a specific acid (but be careful to follow instructions). If you have diabetes, always see your doctor instead of treating them yourself.
If you feel pain, seeing a podiatrist near you is a good idea. They suggest changing your shoes, adding padding, or removing corn or callus. If the pain is severe, they might also suggest injections or surgery.
What are warts, and what is the treatment?
Warts are small, tough growths caused by a virus. They can hurt, especially on the bottom of your foot, which is called a plantar wart. You can get them from walking barefoot on dirty, wet surfaces.
It's not a good idea to treat warts yourself. Instead, see your doctor. They might remove the wart with a laser or minor surgery or freeze it with liquid nitrogen. Some over-the-counter treatments are available, but only use them if your doctor says it's okay. They contain strong stuff that could harm your skin if not used correctly. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or circulation problems, avoid these treatments altogether.
What is an athlete's foot, and how can it be treated?
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects athletes and others. It is caused by a fungus that likes warm, damp places, like locker rooms or showers. Symptoms include dry, itchy, burning skin, scaling, and blisters.
It spreads quickly, so be careful not to scratch and touch other body parts. You can even pick it up from sheets or clothes that touch the fungus.
To treat it, see your doctor to confirm it's an athlete's foot. They might suggest relieving your feet in warm water with Epsom salt. They could also recommend over-the-counter antifungal products or prescribe stronger medications. Keep using the medication as directed, even if your symptoms disappear, to prevent it from coming back.
What are the best ways to keep your feet healthy?
Our feet are one of the most hardworking parts of our body—they bear our weight and support us through many daily tasks. Yet we do not pay much attention to them until some complication arises. You can protect your feet throughout life by adopting simple foot hygiene practices. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly.
- Cut your toenails and clean out the dirt stuck underneath them after a bath or foot soak.
- Clean your nail grooming tools before and after use.
- Moisture your feet routinely using a foot cream or lotion.
- Regularly inspect your feet for signs of ingrown toenails, fungus, sores, cuts, corns, calluses, swelling, or other abnormalities.
- Buy shoes of the correct size that are comfortable for everyday use.
- Wear flip-flops and heels sparingly, as neither provides proper arch support.
- Put on a clean pair of socks every day.
- Massage your feet, as this helps to improve blood circulation and healing.
- Address chronic foot pain as soon as possible.
- Walk, run, and do other foot exercises to improve strength and flexibility in your feet.
- Take the necessary steps to manage chronic health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and arthritis, as these are known to cause foot complications.
What to expect during a podiatric consultation?
Foot injuries, heel pain, swollen feet, corns, toenail fungus, and abnormal growths are all problems for which you must see a podiatrist or a foot doctor near you. During your first consultation, you will most likely fill out a form containing questions about your medical and family history, medications, past surgeries, lifestyle habits, foot hygiene practices, and foot problems. Some podiatrists will skip the questionnaire and have a direct conversation with you.
Your podiatrist will ask you to remove your socks and shoes to thoroughly examine your feet for signs of poor circulation, pain, and other abnormalities. They may also ask you to stand and walk to assess your gait and joint function. Sometimes, they may order diagnostic tests such as blood work or imaging tests for further clarity. A podiatrist prepares an appropriate treatment plan after understanding your condition and its causes. Foot health education is part of your care plan, so you can expect to receive tips to care for your feet.
Benefits of consulting a podiatrist
A podiatrist's extensive education and training empower them to deliver specialized care for various foot and ankle conditions. Consulting a podiatrist offers numerous advantages that contribute to long-term foot health. Here's an overview of the critical benefits of seeking professional podiatric care:
- Tailored treatment plans: Podiatrists create individualized treatment plans that consider your particular condition, medical background, preferences, and way of life. This method guarantees that your care is tailored to your specific needs and increases the chance of a successful course of treatment.
- Accurate diagnosis: Podiatrists are highly skilled at diagnosing foot conditions due to their specialized training and experience. Their expertise allows them to identify the exact cause of your foot issue, ensuring an accurate diagnosis. This precision saves time and reduces the risk of complications through early detection and intervention.
- Access to advanced treatment options: An added benefit of visiting a podiatrist is their ability to offer advanced treatment options beyond self-care solutions. Podiatrists can provide specialized therapies, including prescription medications, physical therapy, and minimally invasive procedures that require professional expertise.
- Enhanced long-term foot health: Regular check-ups with a podiatrist support comprehensive and consistent foot care. Through ongoing monitoring, podiatrists detect potential issues early and provide timely interventions. Establishing a long-term relationship with a podiatrist enables proactive foot health management, promoting better overall outcomes.
Consulting a podiatrist near you ensures you receive thorough, professional treatment, fostering your long-term foot health and well-being.
Finding the best podiatrist near you in Pompano Beach, FL
Having foot problems can be directly related to your overall health. Some signs, such as cold feet, burning pain, discolored nails, and persistent ulcers, can indicate underlying diseases that need immediate attention. Foot problems make simple everyday tasks such as standing or walking challenging, seriously affecting your quality of life. A podiatrist can help improve your condition and advise you on foot health practices to prevent future issues.
To look for the best podiatrist in Pompano Beach, register a free account on Zocdoc. You will find an advanced search box on the homepage, where you can see multiple filter options. Enter all the details and preferences to make the most of the feature. For example, you can enter your symptoms, such as "feet numbness" or "ingrown nails," and a doctor's specialty, like "podiatrist," to narrow down your search. Moreover, to find a podiatrist near you, type the location, like "Pompano Beach." Other filter options include the date, time, procedures, and insurance details.
On Zocdoc, you also have access to practitioners' unique profiles. In their profiles, you can read a brief description of the podiatrists, their academic backgrounds, medical experience, research interests, board certifications, availability, languages they speak, and gender. After comparing all the details, you can book an appointment with a foot doctor near you who best suits your needs.
You can also choose an in-network podiatrist by entering your insurance and plan details. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add your medical, dental, and vision plans to your Zocdoc account; however, you'll only be able to search for and book appointments using one plan at a time. You can note your secondary insurance carrier and plan details in the provider's notes section for additional coverage during the final booking step. If your provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add your secondary insurance information when completing the forms online. For more insurance-related questions, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Booking appointments with podiatrists near you on Zocdoc is simple, 100% free, and secure!
Podiatry-related statistics in Florida
Per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 9,320 practicing podiatrists in 2022. During the same year, Florida's estimated employment number for podiatrists was 790.
According to CDC, in 2021, 8.4 million people of all ages—or 11.6% of the U.S. population—had diabetes. Nearly 1.4 million adults are diagnosed with diabetes yearly in the US. In Florida (2018), almost 2,164,009 people had doctor-diagnosed diabetes, and 546,000 people had diabetes but were unaware of it. The National Center for Biotechnology Information further notes that around 15 to 25% of people with diabetes may sometimes get foot ulcers.
According to the Florida Department of Health (2022), only 34% of people in Florida are currently at a healthy weight. Almost 28% of Florida adults are obese, and 36% are overweight. The department predicts that by 2030, only about 30% of adults in Florida will be in the healthy weight range.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
American Diabetes Association[]
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Florida Department of Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Foot & Ankle Institute of New England
Twin Cities Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.A.
Joint Replacement Institute
