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Who are podiatrists, and what do they do?

Podiatric medicine is a field of medicine that deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating foot disorders caused by injury or disease. A podiatrist is a specialist who has undergone extensive training to treat a specific part of the body, just like a dentist for the mouth or an ophthalmologist for the eye.

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) make independent decisions and perform or order the required diagnostic tests. They perform surgeries, give medications, and recommend physical therapy programs. Podiatric doctors have training in cutting-edge surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, physical medicine, and rehabilitation techniques.

Because the human foot has a complex interrelationship with the rest of the body, it may be the first area to show symptoms of severe conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several diseases manifest first through symptoms of the lower extremities, and podiatrists frequently detect serious health problems that would otherwise go unnoticed—like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or kidney disease. Podiatrists practice in either private or group settings. They may specialize in sports medicine, pediatrics, or geriatrics.

Podiatrists may do the following: 

• Work in hospitals (including hospital-affiliated foot clinics) and long-term care facilities
• Teach in medical and nursing schools
• Serve in the armed forces
• Serve in the United States Public Health Service
• Work in municipal health departments

What training do podiatrists undergo?

To become a podiatrist, aspirants must obtain a bachelor's degree and apply to a podiatric medical college. The graduate school program is for four years, after which candidates receive a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree (D.P.M.).

They spend their first two years learning about basic medical sciences in classrooms and laboratories. The third and fourth years focus on the clinical sciences and patient care. As with all medical doctors, the curriculum includes the study of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, pathology, immunology, and other medical courses.

In addition, podiatric medical students study lower extremity anatomy, biomechanics, sports medicine, podiatric pathology, infectious diseases, and orthopedics.

Clinical exposures begin in the second year. Podiatric medicine students gain practical, hands-on experience working in podiatric clinics in various settings, including community clinics, hospitals, satellite clinics, and professional office settings.

After graduating from podiatric medical school, students begin residency training. A residency allows podiatrists to gain specialized training in anesthesiology, internal medicine, infectious disease, surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics.

Furthermore, podiatric medical graduates can choose a 36-month residency in podiatric medicine and surgery, focusing on the rear foot and ankle surgery.

Orthopedists vs. podiatrists

Although podiatrists and orthopedists treat similar medical concerns, they are not the same type of doctor. A podiatrist only treats foot and, in some instances, ankle and lower limb problems. An orthopedist specializes in musculoskeletal illnesses that affect the entire body.

Orthopedists provide treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, such as:

• Fractures
• Bursitis
• Ligament and tendon injuries
• Arthritis
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Neck and back pain
• Chronic muscle pain
• Sports injuries

Many orthopedic surgeons specialize in specific body parts, such as the hand, spine, or hip. Others specialize in certain types of treatment, such as total joint replacement, orthopedic trauma surgery, and sports medicine. 

While some orthopedic surgeons specialize in foot and ankle surgery, many seek first care from podiatrists.

When should you consult a podiatrist near you?

Your feet must remain functional throughout your life because the average American walks an astounding 75,000 miles by turning 50. Regular foot care is essential for this. Most foot and ankle issues can be mitigated or avoided with timely detection, correct diagnosis, treatment, and care. It is best to visit a foot doctor near you if you experience any abnormalities with your foot.

Several ailments call for podiatric care. The American Podiatric Medicine Association provides a long list. Here are some of the prevalent conditions that podiatrists address:

• Arthritis - This is an inflammation and painful swelling of the cartilage (the hard tissue around the end of bones of the joint) and lining of the joints. An increase in joint fluid typically accompanies arthritis. Thirty-three joints in each foot are susceptible to arthritis.
• Gout - The results are due to uric acid crystals building up in the joints. It is a kind of inflammatory arthritis that can cause abrupt, excruciating pain.
• Charcot Foot - A pattern of weakening caused by bone and joint deterioration.
• Diabetes - This can lead to several problems in our lower extremities due to insufficient blood circulation. The modern podiatrist is crucial in helping patients control their diabetes successfully and prevent issues with their feet, like diabetic foot ulcers.
• Peripheral arterial disease - When fatty deposits (plaque) accumulate, the arteries in the legs become blocked or narrowed, which leads to P.A.D. The arteries become stiffer and narrower as a result of plaque formation.
• Bursitis - It is an inflammation and swelling of bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs.
• Puncture wounds - Traumatizing injuries to the foot.
• Fractures, sprains, and strains - Our feet and ankles must function properly to support and move our bodies. Soft tissue injuries include sprained feet or ankles, while a fracture indicates a broken bone.
• Haglund's deformity - The heel bone's rear bony expansion is known as Haglund's Deformity. The deformity is sometimes known as a "pump bump" since it frequently affects women who wear pumps.
• Heel pain - The human foot has 26 bones, the heel bone being the biggest. Like all bones, it is susceptible to external factors that could compromise its integrity and result in heel pain.
• Sever's disease (Calcaneal apophysitis) - Children's heels are still developing, and overuse can cause the growth plate to become inflamed, especially in those who participate in sports like basketball or soccer. Calcaneal apophysitis, often known as Sever's Disease, is the name of this illness.
• Tendinitis - It is an inflammation of a tendon. One of the most frequent reasons for foot or ankle discomfort is Achilles tendinitis or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. 
• Athlete's foot - A fungus is to blame for the skin condition known as athlete's foot. It most frequently affects the feet due to the warm, damp, and dark environment that shoes provide.
• Calluses and corns - Areas of thicker skin, such as calluses and corns, form on the undersides of our feet to shield the area from irritation. They typically result from rubbing or applying too much pressure to a portion of the foot.
• Sweaty feet - Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive foot perspiration. People who have problems with excessive foot perspiration frequently also struggle with excessive hand sweating.
• Warts - One of the many soft tissue disorders of the foot that can be very painful is warts. A virus causes them, and they can develop in any skin area.
• Bunions - A bunion is a bony projection that forms when your big toe joint expands or becomes misaligned.
• Hammer toes - A hammer toe is an abnormal shortening or bending of the toe at the proximal interphalangeal joint (or the first joint of the digit). This bending makes the toe look like an upside-down V when viewed from the side.
• Neuromas - A neuroma, often known as a "pinched nerve" or a "nerve tumor," is a painful ailment. It is a typical location for the benign development of nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes.
• Ingrown toenails - The most prevalent nail problem, ingrown toenails, are caused by nails whose sides or corners painfully dig into the soft tissue of the nail grooves, frequently resulting in irritation, redness, and edema.
• Toenail fungus - A fungal infection under the nail's surface is known as toenail fungus. During the illness, the toenail's quality and color gradually alter.

A shoe insert is any non-prescription foot support intended for you to wear within a shoe. The devices known as custom orthotics are built specifically to support and comfort your feet. Podiatrists often prescribe the use of orthotics for gait corrections.

Surgery is frequently necessary to relieve discomfort or restore your foot's function if pain or a deformity persists. If you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above and are experiencing symptoms in your lower legs and feet, you should immediately consult a podiatrist near you.

What should you expect when visiting a podiatrist?

On your first visit, your podiatrist will ask about your medical history, medications, and whether you have undergone any procedures. They'll also check your posture, range of motion in your joints, and shoe fit.

Your podiatrist could suggest padding, physical therapy, or orthotics to cure your foot ailment. Some problems can be treated in the office by them. They could remove ingrown toenails using a nail anvil, break nails, or inject painkillers using syringes. Scalpels can cut the skin surrounding a toe or remove sections of corns and calluses. Many podiatrists use cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) equipment to remove plantar warts.

What tests do podiatrists use to diagnose foot problems?

Podiatrists may recommend diagnostic tests such as:

• Imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, bone scan, CT scan, MRI) can identify fractures, blood vessel issues, and structural abnormalities.
• Blood tests detect infections, inflammatory conditions, or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Quantitative sensory testing measures nerve responses to temperature and vibration. Podiatrists often use this test to diagnose diabetic neuropathy and other nerve disorders.
• Electromyography (EMG) can evaluate muscle response to nerve signals. This test involves inserting thin needle electrodes into muscles to detect abnormalities in nerve function, aiding in treatment planning.

What kind of treatments do podiatrists provide?

Once a podiatrist diagnoses a condition, they can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the severity and type of the condition, they may collaborate with other specialists or an entire healthcare team. Treatment options provided by podiatrists include setting fractured bones, prescribing medications such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and antifungals, and administering corticosteroid or cortisone injections for joint pain. They may also perform joint aspirations to remove excess fluid around a joint. Additionally, podiatrists can recommend corrective footwear and orthotic devices like insoles and braces to support foot function and relieve discomfort.

Podiatric surgeons perform various procedures in cases requiring surgical intervention to address foot-related issues. These include treating inflamed or torn tendons and ligaments, setting broken bones, and removing bunions, bone spurs, and tumors. They also conduct debridement to remove damaged, infected, or dead tissue and perform corrective surgeries for hammertoes, flat feet, and other structural abnormalities.

How can podiatrists assist with foot arthritis?

Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in one or more of your joints. Depending on your situation, podiatrists can suggest non-surgical treatments that help decrease the discomfort and pain associated with foot arthritis. For example, instead of running or playing tennis, they may recommend swimming, an easier physical activity for the joints. 

Other popular treatments include weight loss and physical therapy. If none of the non-surgical treatments work, podiatrists may recommend foot arthritis surgery. Through appropriate and timely treatments, podiatrists can help you minimize discomfort and agony caused by foot arthritis and prevent further regeneration.

How does diabetes affect the foot?

People with diabetes may experience foot problems due to harm to blood vessels caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels. These problems could reduce blood flow to organs and cause heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and vision issues.

Here are some foot problems that people with diabetes may experience:

• Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetics who do not take their medication or are unable to control their blood sugar levels are at higher risk of peripheral vascular disease. This is when fatty deposits narrow the blood vessels, which decreases blood flow and can cause pain, infections, and slow wound healing, mainly in the hands and feet. Over time, this can damage nerves and cause numbness in the feet, making it challenging to feel irritation, soreness, or infection. It can increase the risk of unnoticed cuts, sores, and blisters and delay infection treatment.
• Blisters: Blisters present a heightened risk for individuals with diabetes, primarily due to diabetic neuropathy. Extremely tight or loose shoes can create friction against the skin, accumulating fluid beneath the upper skin layer. Moreover, some individuals with diabetes may encounter spontaneous blister formation, a phenomenon known as bullous diabeticorum. These blisters induce pain and carry the potential for infection, spreading throughout the body.
• Diabetic ulcers: Untreated foot ulcers caused by poor circulation and nerve damage can become severe, leading to infection and making walking painful. Calluses increase the risk of ulcers and infections, so eliminating them when necessary and keeping feet clean is essential. Shoes and socks may intensify ulcer symptoms.
• Foot infections: These can enter the bloodstream and damage vital organs, putting the patient's life at risk. Due to poor circulation, foot infections can also damage the bones and other crucial structures in the foot, leading to pain and difficulties in walking. This condition is called Charcot's foot, and it increases the risk of developing more ulcers.
• Amputation: Individuals with diabetes face an increased risk of foot injuries due to complications related to blood flow and nerve function. Often, they may not detect these injuries until infections develop. In cases where podiatrists cannot resolve infections, resulting in abscess formation, or when inadequate blood flow leads to gangrene, amputation frequently becomes the most effective treatment option.
• Death: The complications of diabetes on the foot can be dire, potentially leading to life-threatening situations, particularly as infections escalate. In cases where severe foot issues arise, necessitating amputation, the risks associated with mortality significantly increase. Even when medical intervention involves amputation as a measure to halt the spread of infection, the threat to life persists.

Finding a podiatrist near you in Rockville, New York

Finding a podiatrist who meets your requirements, is good at their job, and is available at the time and location of your choice is no longer a problem. And it doesn't cost you anything. Register on the Zocdoc website or download its mobile phone app.

Zocdoc is the first step toward better healthcare for you. It gives you on-demand access to top-rated health specialists, including foot doctors near you. You can check their qualifications and experience, view their ratings and reviews by other patients, compare medical professionals in your area, and then book appointments that fit your schedule in real-time. 

If you are concerned about whether a doctor will accept your insurance, use a filter for providers who accept your health care plan using the Zocdoc insurance checker. You can even upload your insurance card securely and hassle-free on Zocdoc. Zocdoc prioritizes your privacy and security and follows the industry's best practices to safeguard your information. You can read more about how Zocdoc handles data and privacy and check out Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.

You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly through the form.

With Zocdoc, you can schedule appointments with a podiatrist at your convenience, including before, during, and after office hours, depending on their availability. If their schedule allows, you can also book appointments on weekends and holidays.

Moreover, you can also apply filters for gender and spoken languages. Keep track of your annual physicals and manage all your medical requirements in one convenient location.

Booking in-person or online appointments with podiatrists on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!

Statistics about podiatrists in Rockville, New York

As per a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, as of May 2021, there were 1140 licensed podiatrists practicing in New York. The Bureau estimates podiatrists will have about 300 openings yearly over the next decade.

As per a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21% of those aged between 18 to 29 had lower limb pain, while the percentage for those aged 30–44 was ~28.8%, for those aged 45–64 was 43.4%, and for those aged 65 and over was 50.3%.

With arthritis afflicting about 24% of U.S. adults, over 57% of whom are of working age, podiatrists are likely to remain in demand.

Sources

ExploreHealthCareers.org

American Podiatric Medical Association

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WebMD

MedicalNewsToday

MVS Podiatry Associates

Healthline

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.