A podiatrist, officially known as a doctor of podiatric medicine, treats issues affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. These doctors provide medical and surgical care; their services include setting fractures, writing prescriptions, and recommending physical therapy. When a condition affects the lower limbs and requires specialized care, a podiatrist diagnoses and treats a range of related problems.
Understanding What Podiatrists Do
A podiatrist treats problems with the feet and lower legs. These doctors set fractures, write prescriptions, and recommend physical therapy; they perform surgery when a condition requires it. They also diagnose skin and nail diseases, treat conditions such as heel spurs and bone disorders, and discuss preventive foot care; because symptoms sometimes point to other body systems, a podiatrist refers patients to other doctors when needed.
Matching Specializations to Conditions
Podiatrists work in focused areas of medicine. Some concentrate on sports medicine and treat people hurt during physical activity, while others practice pediatrics and care for children with bunions, flat feet, or ingrown toenails. Diabetic foot care is another focus; because diabetes often causes damage to the feet, a specialist in this area helps keep them healthy and possibly prevent this damage. Radiology forms another area, and podiatrists use imaging tests to diagnose injuries and diseases of the lower limbs when those tests are needed.
Reviewing Education and Credentials
Podiatrists complete a four-year program at a podiatric medical school. They follow that program with a residency that meets their state’s requirements; they must pass the National Board Exams to become licensed. Board certification requires at least two years of residency; when podiatrists pursue specialty certification, they can qualify in areas such as orthopedics, primary care, or surgery. Certain conditions send patients to a podiatrist more than others. Common reasons for a visit include:
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Ingrown toenails and infections
- Sprains and fractures
- Foot or ankle pain
People planning to increase physical activity may also see a podiatrist. A podiatrist checks whether the feet and legs can handle added stress, and this evaluation focuses on the demands of increased activity. When physical activity is expected to place additional stress on the feet and legs, a podiatrist can evaluate those areas before the activity level increases.
Weighing Experience and Access
Some practices employ board-certified doctors and provide information about their experience and procedure volume. Certain practices report more than 40 years of experience, perform roughly 500 bunionectomies each year, and complete more than 1,000 hammertoe repairs annually. When reviewing the information a practice provides, details about experience and procedures describe the types of care available.
Practical factors also affect access to care. Some practices accept most major insurance plans and operate multiple office locations; these details describe the practice’s available access options. When insurance coverage or office location affects where care is available, reviewing those practice details provides information about those options.
Schedule Your Podiatric Consultation
When selecting a clinic, review the provider’s training and areas of practice. Podiatrists complete specialized education and residency training, and some pursue certification in areas such as orthopedics, primary care, or surgery. When foot, ankle, or lower-leg concerns require specialized medical or surgical care, a podiatrist provides diagnosis and treatment for a range of related conditions.
