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Who is a podiatrist?

Podiatrists, or foot doctors, receive extensive training in diagnosing and treating medical conditions and foot injuries. The foot is a complex part consisting of 33 joints, 26 bones, and numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Because of its complicated anatomy, foot problems can significantly impact a person's daily life and mobility. 

However, a podiatrist's role is broader than that. Sometimes, they may also treat problems of the ankle and other parts of the lower legs. They treat people of all ages from birth until senior years. A podiatrist will have DPM (doctor of podiatric medicine) in front of their name.

Podiatrists are licensed by state governments in the U.S. and can perform surgeries, reset broken bones, prescribe medicines, and order lab tests and X-rays.

Are podiatrists doctors?

Yes, podiatrists are doctors. The DPM degree is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree that medical doctors receive. Although they attend specialized schools and don't have "M.D." after their names, they are considered physicians. Podiatrists possess not only a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy but of physiology and systemic diseases as well.

Their education and training are similar to that of medical doctors, with a specialized focus on foot, ankle, and lower leg disorders. They often collaborate closely with other specialists when foot or lower leg issues intersect with broader medical concerns.

What kind of education and training do podiatrists receive?

All podiatrists enroll in a podiatry school after obtaining their bachelor's degree. There, they train for another four years, followed by a 3-year residency program in hospitals or clinics to gain practice experience. After clearing all the required exams, they receive certification from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and a state license to practice. 

Some podiatrists may choose fellowship training to specialize in a particular field area. Podiatric specialties include sports medicine, wound care, dermatology, senior care, diabetes, pediatric care, oncology, surgery, and orthopedics. They can also specialize in neurologic, circulatory, or autoimmune conditions. 

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedist?

Podiatrists primarily focus on lower extremity issues, whereas orthopedists have a more extensive scope covering various musculoskeletal problems throughout the body.

In cases where a condition affects the foot and ankle, individuals may initially seek care from a podiatrist and, if necessary, be referred to an orthopedic specialist for further evaluation or management of more complex issues. Both podiatrists and orthopedists play crucial roles in providing specialized care to patients, depending on the nature of the condition and its location.

The main difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedist lies in their areas of specialization and the scope of conditions they treat. Orthopedists, or orthopedic surgeons, specialize in treating a broader range of conditions, including those related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedists can manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues, such as fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, etc. Some orthopedic surgeons may have specific subspecialties focusing on certain body areas or treatment modalities.

What are the common foot problems treated by a podiatrist? 

Podiatrists can treat various foot conditions resulting from improper footwear, physical stress, infections, trauma, or chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and arthritis. Hence, you can visit a podiatrist near you for the following conditions:

• Bunions are bony protrusions on the outer surface of the big toe that cause pain, stiffness, and bone deformity. It can occur if one regularly wears tight shoes or due to foot injuries, congenital malformations, and certain types of arthritis. 

• Hammertoe is an ailment in which the second, third, or fourth toe can develop a painful bend in the middle joint, making the toes stick upwards. Other symptoms include corns and calluses, inflammation, and restricted movement. Tight-fitting shoes, foot structure, traumatic injury, and arthritis are other causes. 

• A heel spur is any bony growth that develops on the heel bone due to a calcium deposit. Its symptoms include sharp pain. Some causes include ill-fitting shoes, obesity, running on hard surfaces, and improper walking. 

• Ingrown nails occur when a toenail's corner grows into the skin. They generally affect the big toe and cause symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and infection. They can occur due to wearing ill-fitting shoes, improper nail cutting, toenail injury, or foot infections. 

• Neuromas are benign nerve tumors that typically occur between the third and fourth toes due to nerve irritation or injury. Nerves can get damaged by the continuous use of high heels or tight shoes, sports such as running or jogging, and foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, high arches, or flat feet. 

• Plantar fasciitis causes an inflammation of the connective tissue that joins the toes and the heel bone. It leads to stabbing heel pain, especially after waking up in the morning and standing for long hours. 

• Sesamoiditis affects the ball of the foot and is an inflammation of the sesamoid bones, the upper portion of the sole right below the toes. Running, athletics, dancing, wearing high heels, and having flat feet or high arches are some causes of this foot condition. 

• Shin splints cause discomfort and pain in the shin bone, the prominent bone on the front lower leg. It can happen due to activities that cause stress on the shin bone, including running, intense exercising, or having flat feet or high arches. 

• Stress fractures are minute cracks in the bone caused by prolonged stress, impact, or overuse from intense exercise or sports, increased activities, existing foot ailments like flat feet, osteoporosis, high arches, or nutritional deficiencies. 

What are the diagnostics and treatments offered by podiatrists?

As a foot and ankle health specialist, podiatrists conduct various diagnostics to find the underlying causes of the conditions. Hence, when you visit a podiatrist near you, they may order imaging scans or use other tools to assess your condition. The overall process follows as below:

• Review your medical history and ask yourself questions about your symptoms.

• Podiatrists will perform a physical examination to identify skin discoloration or signs of swelling. They may also ask you to perform some physical activities like walking to understand the extent of pain and discomfort.

• After that, podiatrists may order additional tests, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scan, or C.T. scan. These will help them ascertain bone fractures and structural problems or identify blocked or narrow blood vessels.

• Podiatrists may also order blood tests to detect inflammatory or autoimmune diseases or infections.

• Sometimes, they may order quantitative sensory testing using a computer system to identify nerve changes. This diagnostic test helps identify hypersensitivity, diabetic neuropathy, and other nerve disorders of the foot.

• They can also perform electromyography (EMG) to see how your muscles respond to nerve impulses. EMG involves inserting one or more thin needles into the muscle to pick up electrical impulses. Abnormal EMG results point to issues with the nerves in the affected area.

Based on the diagnosis, podiatrists provide various treatments to help treat or manage foot problems. These may include lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, to alleviate the condition if the issue occurs due to being overweight. Losing weight is very beneficial in relieving the pressure on the feet.

Accordingly, podiatrists can prescribe topical or oral antifungal medications for certain infections. They may also provide orthotics to support issues like fallen arches. Moreover, podiatrists can collaborate with other specialists to ensure a successful recovery.

Subsequently, the list of treatments offered by podiatrists includes the following:

• Setting fractured bones

• Corrective footwear and orthotic devices like braces and insoles

• Prescription medicines like antifungals, antibiotics, and pain relievers

• Joint injections or joint aspiration

• Surgical procedures for treating torn tendons and ligaments, setting broken bones, and removing tumors, bone spurs, and bunions

What should you expect at the first podiatrist visit?

When you first visit a foot doctor near you, they will take down your medical history. They may ask you to complete a questionnaire about your past and present foot problems, medical conditions, and family medical history. They will also ask for the medications and supplements you take, other treatments, or records of surgeries. You can also expect questions about your foot hygiene, lifestyle habits, and nutrition. 

After they review your medical history form, they will talk to you to understand your symptoms in detail. They will also physically examine your feet, toenails, and lower legs to check for signs of other related foot and circulation issues. They may ask you to walk to assess your gait, range of motion in your joints, and shoe fitting. Then, if they feel the need for it, they may ask you to get some diagnostic tests done, such as blood work or imaging tests. 

Depending on the diagnosis, the podiatrist may prescribe you medications, topical creams, and other non-invasive therapies. They will also give you some lifestyle and foot hygiene tips. For instance, if your obesity is creating foot pain, they will ask you to lose weight. Similarly, if you wear ill-fitting shoes or tight heels, they will advise you to switch to more comfortable ones.

How does arthritis affect feet?

Arthritis can severely affect standard feet and ankle movement. As a result, walking and performing your daily activities becomes difficult. Arthritis in the foot and ankle is divided into three types:

• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative or “wear and tear” arthritis, is a common problem among people over the age of 50 years. In some cases, it may also occur in younger people. It occurs when the protective layer called cartilage present in the joint gradually wears out. As the protective space between two bones reduces, the area becomes rough and weak. This results in the rubbing of bones against each other during movement, restricting motion and causing painful osteophytes. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include being obese or overweight and genetics.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic ankle and foot disorder affecting multiple joints. It generally affects the same joints in both regions of the body. This autoimmune ailment occurs when the body's immune system attacks tissues surrounding the joints, causing swelling. Over time, the affected tissues damage the cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones, causing severe joint deformity or disability. Though rheumatoid arthritis is not a genetic disease, few researchers believe that people with a particular gene type are more susceptible to the disorder. 

• Post-traumatic arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis generally develops after an injury to the foot or ankle. Fractures and dislocations that damage or injure the surface of the joints cause the cartilage between the joints to wear away. Post-traumatic arthritis generally develops many years after a joint injury. An injured joint is more susceptible to arthritis than an uninjured joint, even after treatment. After the injury, the body usually secretes hormones that deteriorate the cartilage cells over time, causing arthritis. 

Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis

The typical arthritis symptoms in the foot and ankle include the following:

• Increased swelling and pain after resting or sitting for long hours
• Pain during movement
• Difficulty in walking
• Accentuating pain with increased physical activity
• Redness, swelling, and warmth in the joints
• Tenderness of the joints

Why is foot hygiene important? How can you maintain it?

Foot hygiene is important for various reasons, such as:

• Preventing infections: Bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, damp environments, such as those found in your footwear. Regularly cleaning and drying your feet can prevent infections like athlete's foot and toenail fungus.

• Reducing odors: Odor-causing bacteria can feed on the sweat and dead skin cells accumulating on your feet. Proper hygiene can protect your feet from these bacteria and keep unpleasant odors in check.

• Promoting circulation: Taking good care of your feet can help improve blood circulation, aiding wound healing. Poor blood circulation can also cause illnesses like high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and stroke.

Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your feet are clean and healthy:

• Check your toes daily for cuts, sores, swelling, and infections. Trim them regularly with a nail clipper and smooth the corners with a nail file, which can stop your toenails from growing into your skin.

• Clean your feet in warm water, but avoid soaking them to prevent dryness. Next, moisturize them with lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly. Remember not to use products on the skin between your toes, as keeping those parts dry reduces the chances of infection. 

• If your feet get too sweaty, wash them with an antibacterial soap, dry them thoroughly, and sprinkle antifungal powder on them. You can also wear moisture-wicking socks to absorb the sweat.

• Opt for well-fitted shoes and avoid wearing the same pair several days in a row. Skip wearing flip-flops and flats frequently, as they do not provide enough arch support.

• If you are prone to mild corns and calluses, wear thick socks to protect your skin and rub the affected areas with a pumice stone while you are taking a shower. Applying salicylic acid-based solutions (not suitable for people with diabetes) also helps dissolve corns and calluses. 

How to find a good podiatrist near you in Scottsdale, AZ?

Taking care of your feet is as important as other body parts. Foot conditions can cause pain and stiffness, affect mobility and balance, and make you prone to falls and accidents. Secondly, sports persons, construction workers, and those suffering from chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and arthritis must assess their foot health regularly as they are at a higher risk of foot problems. A podiatrist can help with your complete foot health. 

If you are looking for a foot doctor near you, Zocdoc can help match you with the best ones in your location. Go to the website, and in the search box, type in the specialty (podiatrist), location (Scottsdale, AZ), and consultation date. You can even add your insurance carrier and plan to get only in-network experts. 

You can refine your search results on Zocdoc by applying different filters such as symptoms, consultation time, travel distance, and the expert's gender and language. Although an in-person appointment would help, if your condition restricts your traveling, you can consult online, too. In that case, look for experts in the video visits tab. 

You can include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in your Zocdoc account if you have multiple insurance plans. However, you can only search for and schedule appointments with one insurance plan at a time. If you possess numerous insurance plans, you can specify your secondary carrier and plan for the provider in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. Moreover, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you may add secondary insurance while filling out your forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center. 

Zocdoc believes every patient has the right to information about the expert before booking an appointment. Hence, every podiatrist has a unique profile page that can give you information about their education and training, board certifications, professional memberships, and hospital affiliations. Reading reviews and ratings by past patients is also helpful as you can learn about personal experiences with the expert. 

Once satisfied, you can book an appointment with the best podiatrist near you immediately by following the instructions on the screen—it's easy, secure, and 100% free.

Statistics on risk factors for foot conditions in Arizona

Specific health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and obesity, are common risk factors for foot problems. Diabetes causes diabetic neuropathy in which the nerves in the body, specifically the legs and feet, get damaged due to high blood sugar. Obesity increases leg and foot weight, causing imbalance, pain, and injuries. 

According to America's Health Rankings, in 2022, around 25.6% of adults in Arizona had some form of arthritis. More females (about 29.1%) had arthritis than males (about 21.9%). When comparing the prevalence of arthritis among different age groups, in most cases, nearly 50.7% occurred in those aged 65+, followed by around 31.2% in those aged 45-64 and about 8.1% in those between 18 and 44 years.

Another report from America's Health Rankings found that approximately 12.7% of adults in Arizona had diabetes in 2022. This number has been on a constant rise compared to previous years—in 2010, it was 9%, and in 2015, it increased to 10.1%. With around 11.2% of men and 10.9% of women having the disease, both genders were nearly equally affected in 2021. 

Based on reported height and weight in 2022, America's Health Rankings examined obesity in Arizona and found that approximately 33.2% of adults had a body mass index of 30.0 or higher. An almost similar number of males (about 32.7%) and women (about 33.8%) were obese that year. Adults between 45-64 years were the most affected, with approximately 38.4% of cases from that age group. Next was around 31.4% of adults aged 18-44 years and 30.4% aged 65 and above.

Sources 

Medical News Today

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

The Podiatry Group of South Texas

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

America’s Health Rankings[3]

OrthoInfo

NYU Langone Health

Lake Erie Podiatry

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

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.