Who are podiatrists?
Podiatrists possess specialized expertise in identifying and managing injuries to the human foot. They are called "foot doctors" because they specialize in diagnosing and treating such conditions.
Podiatry is a broad field that includes everything from treating minor foot injuries to diagnosing and treating major illnesses related to the foot, such as diabetes and cancer. Podiatric medicine also has preventative care, including early identification of problems before they become serious.
Podiatrists work in ambulatory care settings (doctor's offices) and hospitals. They treat adults with standard feet and those with conditions like flat feet (a condition characterized by abnormal arches), bunions (also known as hammertoes), Morton's Neuroma (an agonizing lump located at the junction of the toe), Ingrown Toenails (when one or more nails grow into the skin), or hammertoe deformities.
They offer a variety of healthcare services to address lower limb problems. From providing individual consultations for continuous treatment and preventive foot care to using innovative methods to treat foot conditions – they ensure overall well-being.
Which foot and ankle injuries can a podiatrist treat?
Podiatrists are experts in assessing, diagnosing, and treating foot and ankle injuries like:
- Sports injuries: These occur during physical activities. Common ones include sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions, often caused by accidents or improper techniques. Treatment entails rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Preventing injuries includes using proper equipment, warming up, and following good training practices. Severe injuries require professional medical attention.
- Ankle sprains and high ankle sprains: Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments adjacent to the ankle are stretched or torn, usually from twisting the foot awkwardly. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. A high ankle sprain is more severe and involves the ligaments of the ankle joint, connecting the tibia and fibula. It results from forceful twisting or rotational injuries. High ankle sprains cause significant pain, swelling, and instability, often needing a more extended recovery than regular ones.
- Heel bursitis is swelling in the small fluid-filled sac at the back of the heel called the bursa. It occurs due to repetitive stress, overuse, or improper footwear. Symptoms include heel pain, swelling, and tenderness, especially when walking or standing. Treatment involves rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and proper footwear.
- Plantar fasciitis is the puffiness of the plantar fascia, a thick tissue band connecting the heel bone to the toes. Risk factors include high-impact activities, flat feet, and improper footwear. Treatment includes rest, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive shoes. Severe cases might need physical therapy or medical intervention.
- Achilles tendon ruptures occur in the tendon linking the calf muscle with the heel bone, often caused by sudden, forceful movements. Symptoms include sharp pain, swelling and bruising, and difficulty walking. Risk factors can include intense physical activity and age-related tendon weakening. Treatment options are rest, ice, and surgery in severe cases. Recovery involves physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility.
When to go to a podiatrist?
Usually, people are unsure of their foot or ankle problems and may put off visiting a podiatrist, believing the pain may subside with time. But, if the foot discomfort is continuous and seems abnormal, it is good to see a podiatrist near you as soon as possible, as further delay tends to increase the intensity of the injury. Visiting them after sustaining an injury allows you to assess any potential internal damage to the tissue, bone, or ligament and determine if immediate treatment is possible.
Believe it or not, a visit to the podiatrist can be the best bet in most unexpected situations.
Before visiting an ankle and foot doctor near you, you may prepare a list of your symptoms, medications, other medical conditions, and if there have been any previous surgeries or treatments. You may also take along relevant laboratory reports, prior medical records, or X-rays. It is always good to ask the podiatrist questions to understand the situation better.
Subspecialties of podiatry
Podiatrists are qualified physicians who treat lower extremities. They are the only ones who receive specialized medical and surgical training and board certification. They work independently, using various tools and techniques to diagnose and treat, such as x-rays and laboratory tests, prescribing medication, infusing physical therapy, setting fractures, and performing surgeries. They also work in an interconnected network of health professionals, assisting in treating and controlling diseases.
Podiatrists specialize in different areas, such as public health, surgery, or orthopedics. They also have subspecialties, such as pediatrics, dermatology, sports medicine, diabetic foot health, geriatrics, radiology, or sports medicine.
After obtaining physician certification, podiatrists must complete a two-year residency training. This training involves rotatory interdisciplinary experience with internal medicine, anesthesiology, infectious disease, surgery, and pediatrics. It provides a coherent understanding of medical and surgical experiences, making the podiatrist competent and well-informed.
Exceptional podiatrists possess compassion, patience, understanding, empathy, and strong communication skills. They must hone these skills daily to improve their patients' healing process and overall well-being.
Some foot care tips
Some of the foot care and footwear selection tips provided by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) are as follows:
- During the holiday season, you might walk extensively, dance, and stand or sit for a prolonged duration. So, following a foot care routine is essential, which includes moisturizing your feet daily, exercising to help them relax, massaging to release tension and boost circulation, ensuring proper pedicure, elevating your legs often to reduce swelling, and wearing smart shoes.
- Do not cover up your toenails if you suffer from thick and discolored toenails. Visit your podiatrist to get the underlying issues fixed. For those with diabetes or limited foot circulation, seeking advice from a podiatrist for personalized pedicure recommendations is advisable.
- Avoid walking without footwear during summers, as this exposes your feet to sunburn and various infections, such as plantar warts, athlete's foot, and ringworm.
- You can wear shoes or flip-flops at the pool, beach, locker room, and even the carpeting or bathroom of your hotel room.
- Keep yourself well-hydrated by consuming ample water throughout the day. Staying hydrated benefits your general well-being and reduces foot swelling from high temperatures.
- Avoid skiing or snowboarding in footwear other than ski boots intended for those activities. Ensure your shoes fit correctly, allowing for toe movement while immobilizing your foot's heel, instep, and ball.
- In winter, warm up your muscles before starting running.
- Wear boots in winter climates, especially when dealing with winter precipitation.
- When purchasing footwear for children, the shoes must fit correctly. Well-fitting skates and boots can prevent blisters, chafing, and foot or ankle injuries. It is advisable to buy shoes based on the size of the foot.
- APMA recommends choosing footwear that enhances balance for older individuals.
- The type of shoes designed for specific sports can significantly impact your performance. Explore the most suitable footwear for each sport to prevent discomfort and enhance performance.
- Opt for supportive running shoes recommended by APMA. Consult a podiatrist to understand which athletic shoe fits your foot type.
What is foot and ankle arthritis?
The joints of the feet and ankles naturally wear out with age, causing pain and inflammation. The condition is called foot and ankle arthritis. Injuries and some health conditions can also result in arthritis.
Arthritis usually develops slowly, and people do not notice any sudden signs or symptoms. However, a feeling of persistent pain or inflammation in a particular spot on the foot and ankle could be a sign of the condition. Stiffness and restricted movement in the joints when one tries to move them after being idle for a long time could also indicate arthritis.
Risk factors
Various arthritis risk factors include the following:
- Genetics: Patients are more susceptible to the condition of their biological family members have it.
- Tobacco use: Using tobacco products and smoking can also heighten the condition's risk.
- Health ailments: Obesity, autoimmune disorders, and other health conditions that affect the feet and ankle joints can also lead to arthritis.
- Foot and ankle injuries: Injuries to the joints in the foot and ankle and re-injuries to the same area can also result in arthritis.
Treatment and management
The treatment approach depends on the type of arthritis and the affected joint or bones. Typical treatment options include the following:
- Orthotics: Orthotics are shoe add-ons that a podiatrist may suggest. They can be inserted into the shoe to support and cushion the feet and ankles. Podiatrists may also recommend shoes that properly support the feet and ankles.
- Over-the-counter medicines: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce pain and inflammation. If the pain persists after using these medicines, one must consult a podiatrist.
- Corticosteroids: These are prescription anti-inflammatory medications that podiatrists may administer to affected joints to help relieve the symptoms.
- Surgery: Podiatrists recommend surgery as the last resort if other nonsurgical treatments prove ineffective and the symptoms become more severe. Depending on the ailment type, they will suggest appropriate surgery options.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle modifications, eating nutrient-rich foods, regular physical activity or exercise, and wearing proper footwear can help lower the chances of developing foot and ankle arthritis.
Finding podiatrists near you in West Palm Beach, Florida
If you are suffering from a foot problem and wondering how to book an appointment with a podiatrist in Florida, all you need is Zocdoc. Zocdoc makes healthcare service providers around you more accessible and allows you to connect with them.
Create a free account on Zocdoc, fill in the necessary details, and you can find several highly qualified and credible podiatrists. You may choose among the given in-network providers nearby and available at your preferred time. Zocdoc also allows you to see them virtually, with cost and quality information accompanied by their descriptions.
When the patients visit the podiatrist and complete their appointment, they are required to share their reviews. Hence, the reviews are honest, fair, and accurate and can be relied upon while booking an appointment.
You can also keep your medical history safe and secure with Zocdoc and refer to it whenever required. Additionally, the Zocdoc insurance detector assists you with your insurance plan. Adding a photo of your insurance card can help you pick the right plan on Zocdoc, but it's optional. You can manually select your insurance plan from the list if you don't want to upload a photo. For more information, visit the Zocdoc's patient help center.
Thanks to Zocdoc, finding the best podiatrist near you is now easier! Undoubtedly, Zocdoc is the quickest and most effortless way to book and keep track of your appointments. All bookings are simple, secure, and free.
Statistics of podiatrists in West Palm Beach, Florida
In 2019, West Palm Beach had over 1,465,000 individuals, and the Florida Department of Health noted increased racial and ethnic diversity within its population. Significant economic disparities and education-related disparities persisted at that time. Despite that, more than 85% of adults owned health care insurance.
Employment reports by Data USA for West Palm Beach, Florida, state that the most common employment sector is "Health Care & Social Assistance." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment and Wage Statistics of May 2021, Florida has the second highest employment level of Podiatrists, with a location quotient of about 1.23%.
A Health and Human Services report in Palm Beach County shared that Palm Beach County ranked 10th amongst the 67 counties of Florida in the clinical care category.
According to research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the seventh leading cause of death in the United States is diabetes, with about 29 million people living with diabetes at present. Diabetes has also been a significant cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation.
Furthermore, a study by Thomson Reuters Healthcare revealed that preventive foot care and treatment by a podiatrist could reduce diabetic hospitalizations and healthcare costs.
In its mission statement, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) stated that it is committed to advancing podiatric medicine and ensuring the highest quality foot and ankle care.
Sources
WebMD
South Shore Health
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
California State University San Marcos
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Florida Department of Health
Data USA
United States Census Bureau
Palm Beach County- Board of County Commissioners
NIH – National Library of Medicine
APMA
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