A podiatrist is a foot doctor. Podiatrists treat the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Since feet are an important part of mobility, podiatrists also treat other body parts that work with feet to get around, such as knees and hips.
What do podiatrists treat?
The simple answer is the foot and lower leg. However, the lower leg is just part of a system that includes the bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, and cardiovascular system. So if something is affecting one of these systems in your foot or lower leg, it’s a safe bet that your podiatrist will be involved in diagnosing and addressing it.
How does a podiatrist treat conditions?
A podiatrist treats foot injuries and deformities caused by injury or disease. First, they will take a detailed medical history to know what treatments will be most effective for each patient. Then, your podiatrist will scrutinize your feet and conduct tests that measure balance and strength, flexibility and range of motion. They will also check your blood pressure, heart rate, and nervous system.
The podiatrist may recommend medication to treat pain or control inflammation-causing substances known as prostaglandins.
- Podiatrists treat various conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. These include:
- Injury and trauma to the foot, including sprains and fractures
- Foot pain, especially from arthritis
- Nerve damage in the lower leg
- Infections of the skin, bones, and joints
- Bunions
- Ingrown toenails
What kind of training do podiatrists have?
To become a podiatrist, an individual must complete 4 years of undergraduate work, 4 years of a college education at a podiatric medical school, and 2 to 3 years of residency training.
Treatment Options
The treatment options that a podiatrist can provide you with will depend on the severity of your condition. Generally speaking, the most common treatments for the types of conditions mentioned above are orthotics (devices placed in your shoes to help support and realign your foot), physical therapy exercises to help you recover from injury or regain mobility, braces that are worn temporarily during recovery from injury, and prescription medications (painkillers or ointments). However, if a condition is severe enough to result in persistent pain or loss of mobility despite treatment by a podiatrist, they may refer you to a surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle surgery.
What is the difference between a foot doctor and a podiatrist?
You might think that a foot doctor and a podiatrist are different. But you would be wrong. Are you suffering from foot pain? Have you been told that your feet are weird and there’s nothing you can do about it?
Foot Doctor
A foot doctor, or podiatrist, is a person who diagnoses and treats medical conditions of the feet, ankles, and legs. The foot doctor in Tarzana can prescribe medications or perform surgery if their expertise allows them to. A foot doctor can also perform surgery on other body parts if specially trained to do so.
You should see a foot doctor if you have an injury or wound of the foot and ankle or if you have an infection of the skin in these areas. You should also see a foot doctor if you’re experiencing severe pain in your feet or legs, as this may indicate a severe medical condition. You should also see a foot doctor if you’re having trouble walking due to pain in your feet or lower legs.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist has gone to school for many years to learn how to treat your feet and how they function in their environment. They can help you prevent injuries and illnesses and keep you confident as you walk through life with your two feet. A podiatrist is also someone who has gone to school for many years to learn more about the bones and muscles of the human body. For example, a Tarzana podiatry will be able to prescribe custom orthotics designed specifically for your needs, just like a foot doctor would do.
Are podiatrists real doctors?
The answer is yes, but not as much as some other people.
This is the heart of an ongoing debate in the medical community and among patients needing foot care. While podiatrists are often considered “real doctors” by patients, many medical professionals disagree.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) defines a podiatrist as a physician specializing in comprehensive foot care. Podiatrists complete a four-year undergraduate degree and then attend a four-year college or university podiatric medicine program to earn their Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
