What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist, also called a doctor of podiatric medicine, is a specialist who provides medical diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems, including, but not limited to sprains and fractures, bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses.
A podiatrist also renders care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel. In addition to undergraduate medical school training, podiatrists also attend graduate school for a doctorate degree in podiatry.
Podiatrists are required to take state and national exams, as well as be licensed by the state in which they practice.
Typically, podiatrists:
· Consult with the patient and other physicians on how to prevent foot problems.
· Diagnose and treat tumors, ulcers, fractures, skin and nail diseases, and deformities.
· Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as bunions, clawtoes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, and ruptured Achilles and other ligaments and tendons.
· Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound and lab tests.
· Prescribes or fits patients with inserts called orthotics that correct walking patterns.
· Treat conditions such as: bone disorders, bunions, corns, calluses, cysts, heel spurs, infections, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis.
