What Is a Podiatrist?
Any health issue can be problematic, but when there’s something wrong with your feet, it can bring your whole world to a screeching halt. If you’ve hurt your ankle or can’t put much weight on your foot, you can be uncertain exactly where to go for medical care. There is, however, a medical specialty that focuses on the treatment of foot maladies. When your dogs are barking, you want to pay a visit to the podiatrist.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist, or “doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM),” is a medical professional who treats any conditions involving the foot, ankle, or related limbs or structures in the leg. Though a podiatrist is a doctor, they will not be designated as an M.D. Podiatrists get their education in podiatric medical schools, which are accredited separately from traditional medical schools. The training is rigorous, and generally includes board examinations, as well as a residency requirement. Podiatrists are generally trained to conduct foot surgery.
What Are the Telltale Signs That You Should Make an Appointment with a Podiatrist?
There are a variety of conditions that indicate a need to seek podiatric care:
- You have any type of swelling, pain or numbness in just one foot—After exercise or activity, particularly when you’re on your feet for a long time, it’s common to have some discomfort in your feet. If, however, you have pain or inflammation in only one foot, that could be a warning sign of a potentially serious condition.
- You have persistent pain in your heels.
- You have athlete’s foot that won’t go away, or fungus under your toenails.
- You believe that you’ve broken or sprained an ankle or foot bone.
- You have a recurring ingrown toenail.
- You have bunions.
- You have cracking or excessive dryness in your toes or heels, including painful calluses or corns.
If you have been diagnosed with any type of diabetes, it’s a good idea to regularly visit a podiatrist, as your feet may potentially be at risk for poor circulation, infection, or other injury.
