Sometimes it can be very confusing to know which medical professional is best able to treat a condition you may have. If you have problems with your feet, including pain in the foot or ankle, or even problems with rashes, warts or structural issues, a podiatrist is the best option in most cases.
A podiatrist is a medical professional, a doctor, who has completed four years of specialized training in caring for the feet, and then an additional three years of residency. The official designation of a podiatrist is DPM, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Many professionals earning their DPM choose to continue their training with a certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Typical Conditions
There is a range of different conditions a podiatrist may treat. They can be involved in the team treating diabetics, particularly if peripheral neuropathy and other foot issues exist for the patient.
There are many other common foot health issues a foot doctor may treat. These doctors can treat surface issues, such as problems with the skin of the feet, as well as structural problems in the bones and ligaments of the feet and ankles.
Common or typical conditions a podiatrist will see in his or her practice include:
* Warts and fungal infections – these can include plantar warts and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
* Arch problems – the arch of the foot can fall, or people can have flat feet or very high arches. All of these conditions can cause pain, not just in the feet but also in the ankles and up through the legs.
* Plantar fascitis – this is an inflammation on the wide and long band of tissue that goes from the heel to the toes. This is often accompanied by heel spurs, bony protrusions that rub on that connective band and cause further irritation and extreme pain
* Bunions – a bunion is a swelling at the joint of the big toe that causes a painful large swelling. The big toe pushes over or under the other toes, leading to a great deal of pain when walking.
* Hammer toe – toes can curl under at the end, raising the middle joint and causing the toe to rub against the top of shoes, a very painful condition.
There are many options a podiatrist may use when treating any of these conditions. They can range from skin treatments and orthotics, to medication and surgery.
When you are experiencing any complications or pain with your feet, a podiatrist is the doctor to see. To learn about our specialists at Suburban Orthopaedics, see us online at www.suburbanortho.com.
