What are podiatrists?
Podiatrists are medical providers who diagnose and treat problems related to the lower limbs and ankles. They also address injuries that affect physical movement. In some cases, they may perform surgeries to manage specific foot problems.
Podiatrists undergo various education and residency programs to become foot experts. Foremost, they complete their bachelor's degree from an accredited medical school. After receiving primary education, they fulfill four years of additional training to learn about nerves, muscles, bone diseases, injuries, and their treatment.
Following this, podiatrists complete a residency program in a hospital for three consecutive years. During this time, they work with pediatricians, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and infectious disease specialists. After residency, some podiatrists may choose to get advanced training in surgeries related to the ankles and feet.
What are the various subspecialties of podiatry?
Like other doctors, podiatrists can also specialize in specific fields of podiatry, such as:
- Dermatological podiatry (skin disorders)
- Forensic podiatry (footprint identification)
- Diagnostic podoradiology (foot and ankle radiology)
- Podopediatrics (pediatric podiatry)
- Gerontological podiatry (geriatric foot conditions)
- Podiatric oncology (skin cancers)
- Podiatric diabetology (diabetes foot care)
- Podiatric orthopedics (orthotics and foot prosthetics)
- Podiatric sports medicine (foot and ankle injuries)
- Podiatric rheumatology (rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases)
- Podiatric vascular specialist (circulation disorders)
- Neuro podiatry (nerve disorders)
- Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery (correcting and restoring foot function)
Types of conditions treated by podiatrists
Depending on their expertise and qualifications, a podiatrist can treat a variety of conditions, such as:
- Growing pain - Individuals having flat feet or feet that point inward may experience constant pain due to their body weight. A podiatrist can diagnose the problem and recommends exercises, braces, or insoles to treat patients with growing discomfort. In some cases, they may recommend surgery to treat the issue.
- Heel pain - The most common heel pain is spurs (deposition of calcium beneath the heel bone). It can happen due to being overweight, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or excessive running. A podiatrist can provide the proper treatment to deal with heel pain.
- Plantar fasciitis - This condition usually develops in the foot's connective tissues due to overpronation and non-supportive shoes. It typically affects sports people and those having wider feet. A podiatrist may suggest wearing supportive shoes and using shoe inserts such as orthotics. However, they may recommend a surgical procedure for people who experience constant pain even after other treatments.
- Fractures and sprains - A podiatrist has the expertise to treat ankle and foot fractures. Moreover, they work with sports medical teams to address the foot problems of athletes. They can also recommend exercise to avoid foot and ankle sprains.
- Hammertoes and bunions - Hammertoe is a disorder that occurs when the toe doesn't bend correctly. A bunion is a condition where the joint at the toe's base becomes more extensive, knocking it out from its original position. A podiatrist can treat hammertoes and bunions to enable the patient to move correctly.
- Morton's neuroma - This is a nerve problem that occurs between the 3rd and 4th bones of the foot. It may cause a burning sensation and constant feeling of pain. Moreover, some patients may feel as if a pebble is pinching their toes in their shoes.
It usually affects athletes or long runners, and wearing incorrect-fitting shoes can worsen the condition. Podiatrists may provide some shots for the pain and inflammation. In severe cases, they may suggest you visit an orthotic for a surgical procedure.
- Diabetes - Individuals with diabetes may have problems such as nerve damage in their feet and legs. Some diabetic patients also experience intense leg pain resulting from lack of oxygen and blood flow to their limbs. Patients who don't visit a podiatrist for treatment at the right time may experience severe leg complications, such as foot amputation.
Reasons to see a podiatrist
Our feet bear all our weight and pressure, acting as the main pillars of our body. Thus, caring for them and keeping them in good health is essential. If you experience any of these problems, book an appointment with a podiatrist immediately:
- Constant foot pain or heel pain that doesn't go away
- Cuts and deep cracks at the base of the feet
- Warts and ulcers on the feet
- Sprains and ankle injuries
- Prolonged swelling due to twisting of the feet
- Bunions and ingrown toenails
- Nerve damage in the legs
- Leg discomfort caused by lower back pain
Depending on your signs and symptoms, your podiatrist may order various diagnostic tests to detect the root cause. Based on these reports, they will chart a treatment plan to address your condition.
Standard procedures performed by podiatrists
Before you head to one of the best podiatrists near you for any foot-related issues, it's beneficial to have a clear understanding of the procedures they can perform. This knowledge can help alleviate any anxiety you may have leading up to your appointment and enable you to make an informed choice when choosing a podiatrist based on their experience in performing these procedures. A podiatrist is capable of addressing and conducting surgical procedures for prevalent foot issues like ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, foot ulcers, corns, calluses, and various other related conditions, including
- Traumatic surgeries - While not all podiatrists perform surgical interventions, some are capable of executing complex procedures to repair injuries and correct malfunctions in the foot. These procedures include the treatment of foot fractures and toe fractures.
- Ankle surgery - Podiatrists perform ankle surgeries in several situations. For example, if a patient suffers from chronic ankle stability, a podiatrist may recommend lateral ankle ligament repair or ankle reconstruction. In cases of sudden severe pain, swelling, or bruising in the ankle, a visit to a podiatrist for an X-ray scan can help diagnose the issue accurately. Depending on the diagnosis, ankle surgery or the use of an ankle brace may be recommended, especially in cases of fractures.
- Ingrown toenail removal - Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding flesh, leading to discomfort and pain for the patient. This condition can result from tight-fitting shoes, toenail injuries, or the natural curvature of the toenail. Ingrown toenails are a common issue, and when they don't resolve naturally, a visit to a podiatrist is advisable. A simple ingrown toenail surgery can address the problem by using a local anesthetic to numb the area and remove the problematic nail.
- Metatarsal foot surgery - Each of our toes is connected to a metatarsal bone. Surgery on the joint between the big toe and the first toe is sometimes necessary for conditions like foot arthritis or bunions. Arthritis can cause swelling and severe discomfort in the metatarsal-phalangeal joints for many individuals. In such cases, surgery is an option. This procedure involves removing the metatarsal-phalangeal joint heads to alleviate arthritic pain for patients.
How do I find the best podiatrist near you in Portland, Oregon
If you've been looking for the top podiatrist in Portland, Oregon, Zocdoc can assist. Zocdoc is a certified portal where you can connect with professional doctors and medical specialists within minutes.
To begin with, visit the Zocdoc website and type 'podiatrist,' your preferred location, and your insurance plan in the search bar. Based on your inputs, Zocdoc fetches you a list of the best in-network podiatrists in your area, along with their complete profiles. However, if you want to conduct a specific search, for instance, a podiatrist who can treat an ankle sprain, use Zocdoc's filters to specify the condition. Zocdoc makes your search for the best podiatrist near you quick and easy!
Before booking an appointment with a verified podiatrist, visit their profile for more details. It includes information about their education, training, specialty, patient records, satisfaction rates, location, language preferences, visiting times, and recent reviews of previous patients. Once you've shortlisted a podiatrist, check their availability and book an appointment directly through Zocdoc.
Finding the right podiatrist on Zocdoc is safe, secure, and free!
Statistics about podiatrists in Portland, Oregon
Arthritis is one of the most prevalent causes of disability in Oregon and the United States. According to the Oregon Health Authority report published in 2017, nearly 80,000 adults in Oregon have been affected with arthritis. This is around one in every four people. Additionally, more than half of them have limitations in performing daily tasks, such as ascending stairs, stooping, bending, and walking short distances. Patients with arthritis can reduce the impact of the disease, particularly those symptoms affecting their lower extremities, by consulting a podiatrist.
As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports around 8,840 podiatrists practicing in different cities in the United States.
Sources
WebMD
Medical News Today
Oregon Health Authority
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
MVS Podiatry Associates
