Who is a podiatrist?
Podiatrists, also known as foot doctors, diagnose and treat injuries to the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. They commonly treat ingrown toenails, sprains, balancing issues, heel and arch pain, and skin problems. They train to address issues caused by health conditions unrelated to the foot and ankle, such as diabetes and arthritis, which can impact various body parts. Podiatrists also create preventive plans that can ultimately save you from many foot or ankle-related problems in the future.
Educational qualifications of podiatrists
Podiatrists receive their education from podiatric medicine-specific institutions and use the suffix DPM, standing for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, after their names. Like all other medical professionals, such as physicians and surgeons, podiatric medical education is based primarily on accepted allopathic medical principles. Aspirants must complete four years of graduate medical education at any of the nine accredited podiatric medical colleges, followed by three years of hospital residency training.
To become board-certified, they must pass the exam administered by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS).
What are the different podiatric specialties?
Podiatrists can further specialize in various sub-specialties based on their focus areas. A few examples of specialties they may study are :
- Dermatological podiatry - skin disorders
- Diagnostic podiatric radiology - foot and ankle radiology
- Forensic podiatry - study foot and shoe prints for crime scene investigations
- Gerontological podiatry - foot conditions affecting older people
- Podopediatrics / podiatric pediatrics - foot conditions affecting children and young patients
- Podiatric diabetology - foot damage caused due to diabetes
- Podiatric oncology - foot-related cancers
- Podiatric orthopedics - bone, joints, and muscle-related disorders
- Podiatric rheumatology
- Podiatric sports medicine
- Podiatric vascular specialist - circulation disorders
- Neuro podiatry - nerve disorders
- Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery - consultant podiatric surgery
Conditions treated by podiatrists
Podiatrists provide care for individuals of all ages, addressing various issues, including:
Fractures and sprains: Podiatrists frequently manage these common foot or ankle injuries. They also deal with sports medicine, treat athletes' foot problems, and offer preventative advice.
Bunions and hammertoes: These conditions affect the bones in your feet. Bunions arise when the joint at the base of the big toe enlarges or shifts, causing the toe to lean toward the others. Hammertoes are toes that bend abnormally.
Nail disorders: Podiatrists treat fungal infections and ingrown toenails, which occur when a nail grows into the toe instead of outward.
Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve damage and impaired circulation in the feet, potentially resulting in severe complications like amputations. Podiatrists help manage these risks by treating sores and calluses and offering preventative care.
Arthritis: With 33 joints in each foot, arthritis can cause significant pain and mobility issues. Podiatrists might recommend physical therapy, medications, special footwear, or even surgery to alleviate symptoms.
Growing pains: For children with inward-pointing feet, flat feet, or misaligned toes, podiatrists may suggest exercises, insoles, braces, or surgical options.
Heel pain: Commonly caused by heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendinitis, heel pain can result from activities like running or wearing improper footwear. Treatment ranges from pain relievers and orthotic inserts to, in some cases, surgery.
Morton's neuroma: This nerve issue between the third and fourth foot bones causes pain, burning, and the sensation of having something in your shoe. It often affects runners and can be exacerbated by tight shoes and overpronation. Treatments include anti-inflammatory injections, orthotics, and potentially surgery.
What surgical procedures do podiatrists perform?
Your podiatrist might suggest foot surgery if you do not respond well to non-surgical methods. The surgery helps relieve chronic pain and restore natural foot and ankle function. Some common surgeries podiatrists perform are:
Fusion surgery: Fusion surgery helps treat severe foot pain caused by joint damage. Some pain can occur due to bones scraping against each other, which might degenerate the protective tissues of your feet. During fusion surgery, your podiatrist removes the cartilage and permanently fuses the adjacent bone tissues in your feet.
Metatarsal surgery: Podiatrists recommend metatarsal surgery to treat rheumatoid arthritis, bunions, and other foot deformities. The procedure involves your doctor cutting your metatarsal bones (five tubular-shaped bones situated midfoot), repositioning them, and fastening them with metal screws and pins.
Morton's neuroma surgery: When the nerves of your toes thicken, it can result in a condition called Morton's neuroma. You might be at risk for this condition if you often wear high-heeled shoes. During Morton's neuroma surgery, your podiatrist will decompress your nerves by removing the inflamed nerve, relieving pain and burning sensations.
Toe deformity correction surgery: Foot conditions like corns, bunions, hammertoes, and calluses can disfigure your toes. As a result, you are more susceptible to falls and other accidents. Your podiatrist can surgically straighten and reposition your toes to relieve pain and ensure you walk correctly.
Achilles tendon repair surgery: The Achilles tendon, or heel cord, refers to the thick, fibrous tendon connecting your calf muscle to your heel. If it ruptures, podiatrists might perform surgery to reverse the damage. It can heal naturally, but surgery ensures faster recovery and reduces the chances of future injuries.
Flat foot surgery: Individuals with flat feet have no or shallow arches at the bottom of their feet. If you have flat feet, your doctor will recommend medication and orthopedic shoes. In case those do not work, they will perform corrective surgery. During the procedure, they will make cuts to the bones of your feet, remove damaged tendons, replace them with healthy ones, and repair damaged ligaments. They can also use metal screws to hold your bones in place.
What to expect during your first visit?
The podiatrist will begin your appointment by reviewing your medical history and carefully assessing your feet, ankles, and lower legs. They may use diagnostic tools such as ultrasound to evaluate blood flow and foot health. Based on the findings, the doctor might suggest suitable treatment options, including physical therapy, cortisone injections, or, in some cases, foot surgery.
Proper preparation ensures you get the most out of your visit with the podiatrist near you, helping them diagnose and treat any concerns effectively.
When should you see a podiatrist near you?
Many put off visiting a doctor regarding the discomfort associated with feet and ankles. The feet are the body's foundation, providing support, balance, and posture and impacting overall well-being. The foot's anatomical structure is complex, with 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Any discomfort when you walk is not normal, has nothing to do with aging, and can result in severe problems if not treated in time.
You should consider consulting a podiatrist if you are experiencing any abnormality in the foot area or notice symptoms such as:
- Swelling
- Bunions
- Pain in the joints
- Thick, hardened layers of skin
- Nail disorders
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis), a fungal skin infection
- Dry or cracked skin
- Discolored toenails, or infection of toenails
- Abnormally smelly feet
- Sharp or burning pain
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Sores or ulcers
Tips to prepare for your first podiatry visit
Before your first appointment with a podiatrist near you, gather the following essential information to ensure a smooth visit:
- Medical records – Bring details of past foot problems, including surgeries or medical conditions.
- Current medications – The podiatrist must know about any medications affecting your foot health.
- Insurance details – Have your insurance card and health coverage information ready.
- Photo ID – Identification is required for verification purposes.
- Patient forms—Many clinics offer online forms for new patients. Filling out the necessary forms beforehand can help you save time at your appointment.
How do you prepare your feet for a podiatry visit?
Keeping your feet clean and well-maintained before your appointment allows a podiatrist to assess them properly. Follow these steps:
- Wash thoroughly – Use warm water and soap to clean your feet, ensuring you scrub between the toes and rinse well.
- Trim toenails – Cut your nails short and file them to remove sharp edges for easier examination.
- Smooth calluses and corns – Use a pumice stone or foot file to remove rough patches, making inspection easier.
- Moisturize if needed – Dry your feet completely and apply lotion if your skin feels dry.
Wearing comfortable, properly fitting shoes to your appointment can also help reduce foot strain. While open-toed footwear may be suitable, choose what feels best, allowing the podiatrist to inspect your feet properly
How can you find the best podiatrist near you in Reston, VA?
If you are facing any pain, discomfort, or trouble associated with your feet, consulting a podiatrist would be beneficial to rule out any serious concerns. However, finding an experienced and skilled podiatrist near you can take time and effort. Zocdoc can help you find some of the best Reston, Virginia podiatrists within minutes.
Enter your location, the problem you want to treat, and the appointment date to receive a list of top-rated podiatrists near you based on your criteria. You can refine the results to match your requirements using various filters, such as their gender, languages they speak, hospital affiliations, insurance acceptance, and whether they treat children. When scheduling an appointment on Zocdoc, you will be prompted to provide your insurance information or acknowledge that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Some providers require insurance details to book appointments. If you prefer to keep your insurance information private or if you don't have insurance, you can find a different provider on Zocdoc that does not require it. For more insurance-related information, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
Every provider on Zocdoc has a unique that displays detailed information about their certifications, training, education, verified patient accounts, and accomplishments. You can also read reviews from patients who booked prior appointments with the podiatrist to find the best fit for you. Once you have selected a podiatrist near you, you can instantly schedule an in-person or virtual appointment based on their availability.
All bookings with Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Podiatry statistics for Virginia and the U.S.
Your feet are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear because they are the most used daily. It is believed that by the age of 50, people generally walk over 75,000 miles.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on Occupational Employment and Wages, published in May 2023, shows that there were approximately 9,470 active podiatrists in the country. According to the Health in Aging Foundation, around 87% of people in the United States have experienced painful feet at some point, and one in three people over 65 has stiffness, aching feet, or foot pain.
Foot issues are common in diabetic patients since a spike in blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, resulting in numbness, tingling, pain, or loss of feeling in the feet. Therefore, podiatrists are essential to a healthcare team dealing with diabetes and related conditions. As per the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report on National Diabetes Statistics, published in 2024, 38.4 million people in the country have diabetes (11.6% of the U.S. population), of which 8.7 million are undiagnosed. Around 97.6 million people over 18 (38.0%) and 27.2 million aged over 65 (48.8%) have prediabetes.
A report on the Diabetes Burden in Virginia 2017-2018, published by the Virginia Department of Health, shows that 631,194 people in the state had diabetes (9.6%). The rate of new diabetic cases was 7.3 per 1,000 people. The Eastern Shore of Virginia had the highest prevalence of diabetes, estimated at 20.8% of the population. It also surveyed that 63.3% of the diabetic population in Virginia checks their feet for sores or irritations at least daily, and 72.7% have their feet checked by health professionals annually.
Sources
Healthline
Health in Aging
Med School Insiders
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Virginia Department of Health
The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Medical News Today
Mayo Clinic
WebMD
Florida Foot Specialists
