What do podiatrists do?
Podiatrists treat conditions and disorders that arise in the legs, ankles, and feet. People also refer to them as podiatric physicians or doctors of podiatric medicine. Any pain you feel around your lower legs, ankles, and feet falls under the scope of podiatric medicine. Podiatrists can diagnose your condition and recommend the proper treatment. They have the training to perform surgeries, prescribe medication, and other preventative methods.
Some common symptoms require a podiatrist consultation. One of the obvious ones is foot pain. Many conditions can cause foot pain, such as fractures or sprains. Other conditions that podiatrists can treat include abnormally shaped nails, discolored nails, scaling in your soles, wart growth, etc.
Unlike traditional doctors who complete a Doctorate in Medicine (MD), podiatrists must complete a four-year-long doctor in podiatric medicine (DPM) degree, followed by a residency program. The criteria to get a license for podiatric practice vary in every state.
What are the different podiatric sub-specialties?
Conditions that the podiatrists pursuing sub-specialties are as follows:
- Neuropodiatry: Nerve disorders affecting the feet
- Dermatological podiatry: Skin conditions of the feet
- Podiatric orthopedics: Treatment of foot abnormalities with orthotics and prosthetics
- Podiatric rheumatology: Analysis and management of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
- Forensic podiatry: Study of footprints, which is helpful for crime scene investigations
- Pediatric podiatry: Foot care and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents
- Gerontological podiatry: Foot care and treatment for adults over 60 years
- Vascular podiatry: Analysis of circulatory disorders affecting the feet
- Podiatric oncology: Diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer affecting the feet
- Podiatric sports medicine: Examination and management of sports injuries affecting the foot and ankle
- Podiatric diabetology: Identification and care of foot disorders in patients with diabetes
- Diagnostic podoradiology: Foot and ankle radiology
- Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery: Surgical treatment to reduce foot pain, restore function and stability, and prevent any abnormalities
How are podiatrists and orthopedists different?
People tend to consider orthopedists and podiatrists for consultation when treating leg, ankle, and foot-related conditions. Even though there is some overlap in the type of conditions both specialists treat, there are some underlying differences.
Orthopedists are medical professionals who treat conditions and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Foot and ankle orthopedics is a subspecialty within this overarching field. For some lower leg and foot conditions that originate in the knees, hips, or lower back, orthopedists can provide the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Podiatrists specialize in treating lower leg, ankle, and foot conditions. They don't just treat lower leg and foot disorders in the muscles, bones, and joints but also skin conditions and abnormal nail growths in the lower extremities of the body.
What conditions do podiatrists treat?
Foot and ankle doctors near you can treat many severe conditions and provide vital care to patients with permanent conditions like diabetes and arthritis. The following points highlight some of the primary conditions that podiatrists treat:
- Diabetic patients: High diabetes can affect the nerves in your lower leg and, as a result, impede blood flow. WebMD reports that around 65,000 diabetic patients have to get their legs amputated. Diabetic patients should consult podiatrists to avoid such situations when they find sole or callus in their feet.
- Bunions: A bunion happens when the joint at your toe's base increases or gets displaced from its position. When bunions occur, one of your toes starts bending towards the other. Podiatrists can provide the proper treatment to help ease the pain. Not all bunions require surgery, but in cases where patients feel too much pain, it may be the only choice.
- Morton's neuroma: Morton's neuroma usually affects runners. It is a nerve problem that occurs in your foot and causes a burning sensation. The condition can worsen if you wear tight shoes. Podiatrists can give you a shot or find an orthotic for you.
- Ingrown toenails: Ingrown toenails refer to nail growth inside one or more of your toenails. It can cause a lot of pain. Podiatrists have the training to remove abnormal nail growth and ease the pain of ingrown toenails.
- Arthritis patients: Arthritis refers to pain-related conditions caused by wear and tear between joints. Podiatrists prescribe medication, surgery, or special shoes to help you with arthritic pains.
- Hammertoe: Hammertoes typically happen in the three middle toes. It is when the muscles and ligaments around your toes are out of balance. Due to this, the middle joint of your toe bends and gets stuck. Your podiatrist can treat a flexible hammertoe by prescribing medications and orthopedic footwear. However, you will need surgery if you have a rigid hammertoe and cannot move your toe.
- Corns: Corns form at various pressure points, like the bottom of your feet and the sides of your toes. Corns can be of three types. Hard corns are thick, dead skin patches, while soft corns have a thinner surface. Seed corns result from clogged sweat ducts. You can find soft corns between your fourth and fifth toes and seed corns at the bottom of your feet. Corns can heal on their own, but you should see a podiatrist near you or sometimes even a dermatologist if they start to bleed or discharge pus.
What are the ways you can take care of your feet?
Taking care of your feet daily is as crucial as brushing your teeth. Neglecting proper foot care can lead to multiple issues, ranging from discomfort to infections.
It's essential to incorporate a few simple habits into your routine to keep your feet healthy and happy:
- Examine your feet on a daily basis for any cuts, sores, swelling, or signs of infection, including issues with your toenails.
- Clean your feet thoroughly with warm water, but avoid soaking them as it can cause dryness.
- Moisturize your feet daily with lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly. However, skip applying moisturizer between your toes, as this could cause infection.
- Wear well-fitting shoes that do not cause discomfort. Tight shoes can harm your feet.
- Avoid wearing flip-flops and flats because they do not provide sufficient arch support.
- Rotate your footwear, and do not wear the same pair every day.
- Trim your toenails by using a nail clipper and smoothen the corners using an emery board or nail file. This practice helps prevent ingrown toenails.
How do you prepare for your first podiatrist visit?
Seeing a podiatrist near you for the first time can be daunting if you're unsure what to expect. So, if you are wondering how to prepare for that and what are the things to keep in mind, here are some pointers:
- Do not worry about how your feet look: Do not be worried about how your feet look. Podiatrists are doctors of the foot, so they see all kinds of feet all day. What matters most is your hygiene. Ensure your feet are clean and you are not wearing nail paint or extensions, as your doctor may want to inspect your nails for fungal or bacterial infections.
- Make a note of your symptoms: Note down all your symptoms. These may be in your ankles, legs, or even the hips and the back. You can mention the exact location of the pain and its intensity, whether it is constant or recurring, the flare-ups, triggers, if it itches or smells differently, etc.
- List your medical conditions and present medications: This may include injuries, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, chronic symptoms, surgeries you have undergone, and any other medical conditions. List down the names of any medications you are taking, if any.
- Compile all your relevant medical records: Compiling and bringing all your relevant medical records to the appointment is important as the doctor generally checks one's medical history, and these may help them in doing so. Include test results, MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds, especially those related to your feet, legs, hips, or back.
- Bring your shoes: If your issues are mostly related to walking, exercising, or running, taking the shoes you wear during these activities to the appointment is essential. The doctor can look at the wear and tear on the soles of these shoes and get a sense of how you walk and if there are any concerns arising from it. In any case, bring your regular and old shoes so the doctor can assess your footwear.
How to find the right podiatrist near you in Sunnyvale, California?
Do you need help finding a podiatrist in Sunnyvale? If you search online, you will come across hundreds, even thousands, of specialists and private practices offering podiatric diagnoses and treatments. It can be tedious to nail down a good podiatrist if you're not familiar with podiatry as a form of medicine and want to book a consultation for the first time.
Let's assume you get references from friends and family. You then have to check their availability, distance from your home, and, most importantly, if they're available in your medical insurance plan. After all, you don't want to pay thousands of dollars if you have medical insurance to cover the expenses.
Hence, when searching for care on Zocdoc, you can enter your insurance information to find podiatrists near you who are in-network with your plan.
During the search process, you can select your insurance carrier (another term for your insurance company) and your specific plan (the coverage you have with that carrier).
When using the Zocdoc app on your phone, you can click and upload your medical insurance card's photo (this feature isn't available for dental or vision plans). Zocdoc will scan your card and display your likely insurance plan.
Adding your insurance information helps you get results showing which providers are in-network and out-of-network. When searching for care, selecting the correct insurance plan is crucial to seeing accurate in-network providers on Zocdoc.
If you already have a Zocdoc account, you can add your insurance information to your profile so all your searches will indicate whether providers are in-network or out-of-network with your plan. For any insurance-related questions, reach out to Zocdoc's patient help center.
Zocdoc enables you to overcome these obstacles by uncomplicating doctor discovery. You can sign up for the platform, choose a location, and enter the type of specialist you need. In addition, you can also provide the medical insurance plan you're on.
Entering these details will yield a list of specialists that meet your criteria. To further drill down the list, here are a few filters you can apply:
- Appointment medium: Choose between in-person or video visits.
- Availability: Check if the specialist is available on the same day or in the coming days.
- Distance: Find a podiatrist near you.
- Time of the day: Filter doctors by the time of day they're available.
- Gender: Choose if you'd like to consult male, female, or non-binary specialists.
- Hospital affiliation: If you want to consult a doctor affiliated with a particular hospital, this filter can help.
- Treats children: Find specialists that offer pediatric care.
- Languages: Choose any language of your choice and find doctors proficient in the same.
With these features, you can simplify podiatrist discovery and quickly book a consultation with the best foot and ankle doctors near you.
Podiatry statistics in Sunnyvale and California
If we think of podiatry statistics, the best place to start is the employment statistics of podiatrists in California. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that California has one of the highest rates of podiatrist employment, behind only New York.
People with diabetes often consult podiatrists for pain in the lower legs and feet. According to Gallup-Sharecare's 2017 State of American Well-Being report, Sunnyvale is ranked 60th in Community Rankings for the prevalence of diabetes. It further underlines the need for podiatrists in Sunnyvale to treat leg and foot conditions caused by diabetes.
Arthritis patients also visit podiatrists for pain-related conditions in their legs, ankle, and foot. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study from 2023 states that California has the lowest rate of arthritis. The state's good performance again underlines the role of specialists like podiatrists in helping treat patients with leg and foot conditions.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
WebMD[4]
WebMD[5]
South Shore Health
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Hopkins Medicine
Bureau of Labor Statistics
State of American Well Being
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Verywell Health
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
Brock Hughes Medical Center
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