The human foot supports body weight, and it allows a person to stand, walk, and maintain balance. Because the feet and ankles carry much of the body’s load each day, they are subject to wear and injury. A podiatrist is a specialist devoted to the care of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the lower leg.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a medical professional; they focus on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower legs. This focus allows them to develop detailed knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy and biomechanics, as well as the ways that conditions elsewhere in the body may affect the feet. They often coordinate care with primary care physicians, physical therapists, and other providers.
What Do They Treat?
Podiatrists evaluate a broad range of conditions, from routine concerns to more complex problems. Podiatrists also monitor foot health for individuals with chronic conditions. People with diabetes often experience reduced circulation or sensation in the feet, and this can make injuries harder to detect. Common reasons individuals visit a podiatrist include:
- Heel Pain: Discomfort in the heel can be associated with conditions such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon irritation.
- Bunions and Hammertoes: These structural changes affect the alignment of the toes and may cause discomfort when wearing certain shoes.
- Toenail Issues: A toenail that grows into the surrounding skin can lead to tenderness, redness, or infection, and nail fungus is a common infection that affects the nails.
- Corns: Thickened areas of skin often develop in response to repeated pressure or friction.
- Sports and Activity Injuries: Sprains, fractures, and tendon injuries can occur during exercise or everyday tasks.
Regular foot examinations allow a podiatrist to identify changes in the skin, nails, or structure of the foot at an early stage.
What Services Do They Provide?
A visit to a podiatrist typically begins with a review of the patient’s health history, and it may include a physical examination of the feet and ankles. Depending on the findings, the podiatrist can recommend diagnostic tests. Services offered at many podiatry practices include:
- Orthotics: Shoe inserts custom-made to the patient’s feet to provide support and address alignment concerns.
- Nail and Skin Care: Trimming of thickened nails, removal of corns and calluses, and treatment of ingrown toenails.
- Wound Care: Evaluation and management of slow-healing sores, particularly for patients with diabetes or circulation concerns.
- Medications: Prescription of topical or oral medications for infections, inflammation, or other conditions.
- Surgery: Correction of bunions, hammertoes, and other structural issues when conservative approaches do not provide sufficient relief.
Podiatrists may also offer guidance on daily foot care practices. This information can help patients make informed decisions about their foot health between appointments.
Schedule a Visit
Persistent pain, swelling, numbness, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal are signs that warrant a professional evaluation. Seeking an assessment when symptoms first appear lets a podiatrist identify the cause, and they may recommend an appropriate course of care before a condition progresses. Contact a podiatrist to schedule an evaluation, allowing you to learn more about the options available for foot and ankle care.
