What is a Podiatrist

A podiatrist, also called a doctor of podiatric medicine, is a specialist who provides medical diagnosis and surgical treatment of the foot, ankle and lower leg problems, including, but not limited to foot and ankle sprains and fractures, bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammer toes, neuromas, ingrown toe nails warts, skin tumors, all types of wounds of the foot, ankle and lower leg. A podiatrist also renders care of sprains, fractures, infections and injuries of the foot, ankle and lower leg, in addition to undergraduate medical school training, podiatrists also attend graduate school for a doctorate degree in podiatry also doing post doctorate training in a. 1-4 year residency program.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, there are more than 17,800 practicing podiatric surgeons in the United States. Podiatrists are in demand more than ever today because of a rapidly aging population. In addition, according to the association foot, ankle and lower leg disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country.

Typically, Podiatric Surgeons:

• Consult with the patient and other physicians on how to prevent foot and ankle problems.
• Diagnosis and treat tumors, diabetic, venous, arterial and pressure ulcers.
• Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as fractured ankles, congenital deformities clawtoes, hammer toes, infections, community and hospital MRSA, ruptured tendons including Achilles and other tendons, ankle fractures, skin biopsies, for skin cancer and surgeries for wounds and infections.
• Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as Ultrasound, MRA, MRI, Cat Scans and Culture and Sensitivity tests.
• Prescribe or fits patients with inserts called orthotics that correct walking patterns. foot and ankle orthosis, walking casts, total contact casting and prosthetics.
• Treat conditions such as: bone tumors, bunions, bone and tissue cysts, fractures, foot and ankle spurs, infections, ingrown mils and plantar fascitis.
• Second opinions, infected wounds, post op wounds, post op infections, and chronic wounds of the foot, ankle and lower leg
• Venous ulcers and reflux