Who are podiatrists?
Podiatrists are doctors who diagnose and treat the ankle, foot, and related structures of the legs. They provide individual consultations to patients for the continued treatment of foot disorders and preventive foot care. They are experts in diagnosing foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, congenital deformities, skin diseases, nail diseases, weak feet, and foot imbalance. Additionally, they use innovative methods to treat calluses, corns, bunions, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, arch problems, cysts, shortened tendons, abscesses, and bone disorders.
They also design plaster casts, corrective orthotics, and strappings to fix deformities and flexible casting for ankle fractures, immobilization of sprains and feet, or other injuries. Additionally, they offer guidance to correct walking patterns and balance and promote their patients' ability to move about more efficiently and comfortably. They may refer patients to other doctors when they observe symptoms in the feet that indicate disorders, such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease.
What are the education qualifications and training of podiatrists?
To start their journey, podiatrists must complete four years of undergraduate education following premedical training at a college or university. They then undergo four years of training at a podiatric medical school to earn a podiatric medicine degree (DPM). Subsequently, they undertake three years of hospital residency training for post-graduate education and training. The residency program revolves around podiatric medicine and surgery.
Following their residency, some podiatrists may complete one-year fellowship training to gain sub-specialization in a particular area. Lastly, they need to be board-certified to begin practicing. The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine provide them with board certification after they attain advanced training and clinical experience and pass a written and oral examination.
What are some common subspecialties within podiatry?
Some podiatrists may choose to become experts in a particular area. They can do so in areas such as:
Diabetes can affect the nerves in one's feet and legs, making it difficult for these parts to get enough blood. A podiatrist specializing in diabetes foot care examines the feet to see whether there are sores or calluses.
This podiatric specialist focuses on rheumatoid arthritis that can lead to painful or swollen joints of the feet, ankles, and toes. They also focus on other autoimmune diseases.
The skin on the feet can get inflamed and diseased. It is more prone to injury than other body parts due to the regular beating it receives and being exposed to the external world. These podiatrists specialize in such issues, treating skin disorders like dermatitis, blisters, athlete's foot, and melanoma.
They are specialists who treat foot abnormalities with orthotics, footwear, and prosthetics. They may perform reconstructive ankle and foot surgery to treat issues like Charcot foot, limb salvage, and arthroscopic foot and ankle.
These specialists treat nerve disorders like peripheral neuropathy, which is a disorder that results in abnormal or decreased sensation in the toes and fingers.
- Podiatric vascular specialist
They are podiatrists specializing in treating circulation disorders. All the problems associated with these disorders result in poor blood flow. Peripheral vascular disease is one commonly known circulation disorder that results in blood flow impairment into the legs and feet.
These podiatrists specialize in treating skin cancers, such as melanoma, which is one of the most dangerous kinds of skin cancer that may develop on the feet.
This podiatrist treats children's foot problems, such as foot orthoses. The treatment they provide may include surgery for clubfoot and correction of a congenital bone malformation.
Forensic podiatrists have experience in forensic investigations, including studying shoe prints and footprints for crime scene investigations.
- Podiatric sports medicine
These podiatrists, specializing in sports medicine, understand, prevent, and manage lower extremity fitness and address sports injuries like ankle joints, knee joints, leg, and foot.
What can you expect from a podiatrist?
Your first appointment with a podiatrist will be akin to sessions with other physicians. The podiatrist will enquire about your medical history, current medications, and any surgeries you may have undergone.
The podiatrist will also examine your posture, evaluate your joints' flexibility, and ascertain your shoes' suitability. Typically, the primary focus of this initial visit is to address issues such as foot deformities, heel and lower back pain, circulation concerns associated with diabetes, ingrown toenails, and bunions.
Depending on your ailment, the podiatrist may suggest treatments such as physical therapy, orthotics, or padding to resolve your concerns. The podiatrist might also use tools such as nail splitters or nail anvils to remove ingrown toenails, scalpels to eliminate corns and calluses, syringes to administer pain medication, or cryotherapy equipment to freeze off plantar warts.
What are the treatment options provided by a podiatrist?
Podiatrists receive training to offer various treatments, from non-invasive therapies to surgical procedures. Podiatric care alleviates pain, enhances mobility and function, and prevents further complications. One of the primary treatments podiatrists offer is immobilizing fractured bones, which is often necessary for a broken foot or ankle. This involves placing a cast or brace on the affected area for proper healing.
Podiatrists may also prescribe medication to manage pain, antibiotics to treat infections, and antifungals to address fungal infections. For joint inflammation or arthritis, common treatments include corticosteroids or cortisone joint injections. In cases involving excess fluid around a joint, a podiatrist may perform a joint aspiration to extract fluid from the joint space and reduce inflammation.
Podiatric surgeons receive training to perform various surgical procedures to treat foot and ankle conditions. These surgeries may involve treating inflamed or torn tendons and ligaments, setting up broken bones, removing bunions, bone spurs, and tumors, and removing damaged or infected tissue.
How do podiatrists and orthopedists differ, and which should you consult?
Since both practitioners can address lower extremity concerns, patients often get confused about which one to see. Even though there may be some overlaps, their specialty areas are distinct.
An orthopedist, or an orthopedic doctor, is a trained physician specializing in recognizing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal diseases and accidents. They can assist patients who may have undergone an accident or have a condition that affects the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues.
Fractures, sprains, strains, ligament tears, spinal disc injuries, arthritic degeneration in joints, and sports injuries are common disorders that orthopedic specialists treat. Orthopedic specialists may specialize in areas or body parts like pediatrics, sports medicine, spine, upper extremity, and others. Some orthopedic doctors further their education to become surgeons, performing a variety of surgeries to address conditions that general medical interventions cannot fix.
On the other hand, a podiatrist is not a medical doctor. They specialize in treating orthopedic disorders and injuries that affect the foot and ankle, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, a sprained ankle, and other foot issues such as corns, calluses, heel spurs, fallen arches, and biomechanical abnormalities. They also help manage foot issues that may stem from diabetes. Generally, podiatrists can carry out minor surgeries on the nail or skin, such as excision of plantar fasciitis, removal of ingrown toenails, etc. They are trained in administering anesthesia but cannot conduct complex operations like an orthopedic surgeon.
Thus, typically, both can conduct non-surgical, minimally invasive, or surgical therapies. However, you should see a podiatrist if you have foot or ankle problems that may or may not require surgery. It is advisable to consult an orthopedist if you have injuries or illnesses impacting other parts of your musculoskeletal system or those that need attention from a medical doctor.
How can one find the best foot doctor near you in Seattle?
Finding a podiatrist who can help you manage the issues in your ankles, feet, and legs can be difficult. It is essential to not only find a suitable practitioner but also establish a relationship of mutual understanding with them to ensure a speedy recovery. Zocdoc is dedicated to connecting patients with the best providers possible.
You can book an appointment with a top podiatrist near you in real-time with Zocdoc. Use the Zocdoc insurance checker if you need clarification on your insurance. Thousands of verified customer reviews are also available to satisfy any doubts you may have.
To begin, create a free Zocdoc account and choose the condition or specialty, location, and timing. Based on your search criteria, a comprehensive list of podiatrists appears. On Zocdoc, provider pages include profiles that detail the podiatrist's education, certifications, visit reasons, and top clinical interests, which can help you make a more informed decision.
Via Zocdoc, you can also schedule video consultations with a foot doctor near you. To do so, filter for video visits in the results or look for the purple video icon on the podiatrist's profile. You can get quality care quickly by making an appointment with a podiatrist.
All bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free.
Podiatry statistics in Seattle, Washington State
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2021 report on State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates found nearly 130 registered podiatrists in Washington State. Diabetes and arthritis are chronic medical conditions for which Washington State's people may have foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists will help them get faster diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
The Washington State Department of Health notes that melanoma was the fifth most common type of cancer in Washington State in 2007. It killed about 170 people in Washington in 2005 (105 men and 65 women). Seeking help from a podiatrist who deals with foot-related cancer will benefit melanoma patients in Washington State.
Sources
VeryWell Health[1]
VeryWell Health[2]
American Podiatric Medical Association
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
WebMD
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Carolina Podiatry Group
Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care
American Podiatric Medical Association
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
American Academy of Dermatology Association
Food Network
PubMed
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington State Department of Health[1]
Washington State Department of Health[2]
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence
Advanced Bone & Joint
Brisbane & Gold Coast Foot Surgery
