Who is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions and wounds affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Podiatrists mix clinical and surgical foot care to treat various feet-related problems that patients may have.
People may go to a podiatrist for problems like an infected foot wound or to acquire a flexible cast for a leg strain. Podiatrists also treat injuries caused by underlying medical disorders like arthritis and diabetes. They help create preventative measures that shield one from various foot- or ankle-related issues in the future.
The podiatrist often diagnoses underlying conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is because these disorders have symptoms affecting the foot. They may send the patient to other specialists to treat the underlying illness in such circumstances.
Podiatrists usually deal with the following foot-related issues:
- Calluses, bunions, discolored or ingrown toenails, and corns
- Skin infections in the feet
- Age-related feet problems
- Sprains, fractures, and other injuries
- Flat feet
- Preventive foot care
- Numbness or weakness in the foot
- Poor blood circulation in the feet
What education and training do podiatrists have?
Aspiring podiatrists must get a pre-medical college degree. These medical professionals enroll in podiatry school after earning their undergraduate degree, which is recognized or approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Aspiring podiatrists learn how to treat conditions affecting the feet' nerves, muscles, bones, and ligaments during training. In addition, they learn about diseases and injuries that affect the lower limbs. They also pick up the skills necessary to conduct an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment.
After four years at a podiatric school, podiatrists complete three years of residency training. They work at clinics and hospitals during this time. They gain experience working cooperatively with other medical professionals, such as pediatricians, specialists, and anesthesiologists. Podiatrists receive their final certification after completing residency training.
How does a podiatrist diagnose and treat foot fractures?
Foot fractures come in different degrees of severity, depending on the extent of the injury. The standard in evaluating foot fractures is an x-ray, which allows the podiatrist to see the broken bones and the damage scale. If the podiatrist suspects a fracture but does not confirm it with an X-ray, they use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis.
The treatment depends on whether you are diagnosed with an acute or stress fracture. The initial step in treating a stress fracture is stopping all physical activities that exacerbate it.
Depending on the severity, you may be required to wear walking boots, orthotic shoes, or a cast. These treatments aim to minimize the load on your injured foot or immobilize it together, allowing your bones to mend correctly.
Rest your foot in an elevated position with ice to complete the treatment. A stress fracture takes four weeks or more to cure.
During recovery, the foot doctor near you will regularly inspect your injury to ensure it is healing correctly. Also, visit a physical therapist to help ease into light physical activities slowly without interrupting the body's healing. A full recovery from the most severe acute fractures might take up to a year.
Regardless of your injury, a foot fracture is always worth visiting the podiatrist; even microfractures can worsen into a clean break. A podiatrist can use X-rays and MRIs to determine the nature of the fracture and prepare an appropriate treatment plan through orthotics or surgery.
All treatment plans aim to isolate the injured foot so the bones can heal in a restrained and aligned fashion. Important appointment tips to cure your foot or ankle problem:
- Most patients see a podiatrist when a foot or ankle problem is severe or unsightly, or the primary care physician fails to resolve the issue.
- List your symptoms, medications, medical conditions, and previous surgeries or treatments.
- Prepare a list of questions to let your doctor understand your condition better.
- Bring any relevant lab reports, medical records, or X-rays
Avoid nail polish, ointments, foot powders, or gels until after your visit. Also, take note of the advice on proper foot care and preventive treatments.
If cost is an issue, feel free to ask if there are less costly alternatives (such as orthotic insoles). You should also check which lab and diagnostic tests are covered by insurance and discuss this in advance with the doctor.
How are ankle fractures treated?
Ankle fracture treatment depends on factors like the number of ankle bones broken. Not every broken ankle needs surgery, but each fractured ankle needs some care to heal. There is no need for surgery during a stress fracture. You might require a brace or cast to support your ankle during healing.
More severe ankle fractures need surgery or reduction. Reduction is when healthcare providers manipulate the ankle to line up the broken bone ends. You'll receive local anesthesia to numb the ankle. Following is the surgery done to cure broken ankles:
- Cure ankle fractures with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. By ORIF, surgeons open up the injured ankle and line up the broken bone ends. They might also install wires, metal plates, or screws to stabilize your ankle bones while healing.
- The surgeon makes incisions to open your ankle joint to note your broken bones. Your surgeon uses tools like screws, metal plates, or wires to connect the ankle's broken pieces. It is known as internal fixation.
- They close the incision.
Appointments necessary after your surgery
Here are some typical post-surgery follow-up appointments:
- Your surgeon will visit you a week after surgery and take x-rays to confirm your ankle bones are healing
- They will remove your cast one and a half months after surgery
- Your surgeon might recommend some other surgery to remove the supported metal pieces in the ankle while it is healing
- They recommend physical therapy to strengthen your ankle ligaments
You should contact a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you have the following:
- Numbness
- Uncontrolled pain
- Increased swelling
- Tingling
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, redness, or your incision is draining
- Change in your ability to add weight to your injured ankle
- Re-injury in your ankle
Diverse ankle fractures happen after traumatic events like falling, motor vehicle accidents, or being injured playing sports. But you can fracture your ankle by making a misstep during a walk or stumbling over something in your home. One can limit this kind of risk by:
- Taking extra care while walking on uneven surfaces
- Avoiding clutter in your home that causes you to trip over and fall
How do you keep your feet healthy?
The different ways you can keep your feet healthy include the following:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control
Consistent high sugar levels in the blood could cause nerve damage and loss of skin sensation in the feet. Reduced blood flow to the feet may also affect their natural infection resistance and injury-healing properties. Regular physical activity and healthy food habits can help maintain blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. Physical activity can also help control and prevent chronic diseases and conditions.
- Check your feet regularly.
You must check your feet regularly for cracked skin, minor cuts, blisters, and redness. Check the bottom of your feet. Use a hand mirror if you cannot see the bottom of the feet. If you experience problems in your feet, you must visit a qualified foot doctor near you for further diagnosis and treatment. If ignored, these problems could lead to significant health complications. If you have diabetes, you must regularly check your feet for visible foot problems.
Use lukewarm water to clean your feet daily. Water that is too cold or hot can damage your skin, especially among people with diabetes, and decrease skin sensation. Use a soft sponge or washcloth and gentle soap. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse and completely dry your feet before wearing your socks or shoes.
- Wear clean and comfortable socks.
If the socks are uncomfortable, the sweat and moisture stay on the skin for extended periods, causing rashes and infection. Also, socks that are too tight or bunched up around the calf or ankles can cause movement issues and irritation. Diabetes can further increase the chances of developing various foot problems. Therefore, podiatrists recommend wearing unique, comfortable socks that provide extra cushioning and wick out sweat and moisture.
Make sure the shoes you wear are well-fitted and comfortable. Tightly fitted shoes may cause infection, blisters, and movement issues. Select shoes that properly support the ankles and feet and ensure safe walking. Avoid shoes that irritate the feet. Podiatrists can help you select shoes that fit your daily routine and adequately support your feet and legs.
- Cut nails regularly and carefully.
Trim your toenails, but don't cut them too short, as nails could become ingrown and lead to infection or soreness. Cut your toenails straight across and then file the edges. Take assistance if you need help cutting your nails. Avoid injuring the skin during cutting or filing the toenails.
Top-rated podiatrists in Washington, DC
Visiting a foot doctor near you is the first step toward ensuring proper foot care. A podiatrist may conduct the preliminary round of checks and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Finding a podiatrist near you can ensure that you receive timely care. Zocdoc is an innovative platform that connects patients with the right providers.
Zocdoc allows patients to select a type of appointment with a predetermined time block or request an appointment time. Our platform even customizes the details patients need to fill out. The help desk is always available to solve your query and make you visit the best foot doctor near you. Relax and tell your doctor all symptoms and other necessary details for proper treatment. Bookings made on Zocdoc are entirely safe, secure, and free!
Podiatrists in the United States
As of May 2022, there were about 9,320 podiatrists practicing in the United States. This is based on the report by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. As per Data USA, around 40 of these are employed in Washington, DC.
In 2021, the majority of podiatrists in the country (62.4%) were practicing in offices of other health practitioners. This was followed by around 17.5% podiatrists working in general hospitals, while a very small percentage (2.58%) worked in outpatient care centers.
It is projected that this field will witness a job growth of approx. 0.952% over the next 10 years.
Sources
Verywell Health
Cornerstone Foot & Ankle
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
Medical News Today
ChoosePT
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data USA
