A podiatrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of conditions affecting these lower extremity areas. Their role involves addressing various issues to improve a patient’s overall mobility and well-being.
The Scope of Podiatric Care
Podiatrists are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) who complete extensive education and training similar to other medical doctors, focusing on the lower extremities. This includes four years of undergraduate study, four years at an accredited podiatric medical school, and a two-to-three-year hospital-based residency program. This training qualifies them to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions of the feet, ankles, and associated leg structures through medical, surgical, and other means.
Their expertise spans various specialized areas within podiatric medicine. Many podiatrists focus on surgical correction of foot and ankle deformities, while others concentrate on sports medicine, addressing injuries like ankle sprains and stress fractures common in athletes. Podiatrists also provide wound care, which is important for patients with diabetes who are susceptible to foot ulcers. Pediatric podiatry focuses on children’s foot development and conditions, and diabetic foot care involves managing foot complications associated with diabetes, including nerve damage and poor circulation.
Podiatrists utilize diagnostic tools like X-rays, MRIs, and laboratory tests. They prescribe medications, order physical therapy, and fit patients for custom orthotics or specialized footwear to address biomechanical issues. They work with patients of all ages, from children with developmental foot concerns to older adults managing age-related foot problems or systemic diseases affecting the feet.
Common Conditions and Treatments
Podiatrists treat bunions, bony enlargements at the base of the big toe that cause pain and difficulty with footwear. Treatment includes padding, taping, custom orthotics, pain medication, or surgical correction. Hammertoes, a deformity where a toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, are also addressed with conservative measures and surgical interventions to straighten the toe.
Ingrown toenails, where the nail grows into the surrounding skin, can lead to pain and infection. Podiatrists remove the nail portion and address the cause to prevent recurrence. Plantar fasciitis, a cause of heel pain, involves inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. Treatment includes rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, physical therapy, night splints, or custom orthotics to support the arch.
Podiatrists manage Achilles tendonitis, inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. They recommend rest, ice, physical therapy, and orthotics, with advanced treatments like radiofrequency energy or ultrasound for persistent cases. Ankle sprains, involving stretched or torn ligaments, are diagnosed and treated by podiatrists through immobilization, physical therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to restore stability and function.
For individuals with diabetes, podiatrists prevent and manage foot ulcers, which arise from nerve damage and poor circulation. They provide specialized wound care, debridement of dead tissue, and preventive strategies like custom footwear to reduce pressure points. Podiatrists also address skin and nail conditions such as fungal infections of the toenails, treated with topical or oral medications. They also treat corns and calluses, thickened skin areas caused by friction or pressure, which can be trimmed or removed.