Did you know that there are doctors specifically tasked to work on your foot?
Foot doctors are medical specialists who practice the conditions of your foot, whether it’s injury or foot disease. Other times they diagnose and treat ankle problems or other lower limb issues. Here are some things you need to know about a podiatrist:
Podiatrists have an extensive degree.
Just like a surgeon, a podiatrist goes through an extensive education and training before they are allowed to treat people. A person who is interested in being a podiatrist must have a doctorate degree first. He or she will learn the human anatomy and physiology but most of their concentration requires more intense studies in the lower extremities from the waist down to the feet region.
However, podiatrist are far different from medical doctors but they receive the same training and have their own specialties.
Podiatrist also have a residency program.
They are doctors with specific concentration and yes, their work involves largely on issues of the foot. Thus, they have hands-on experience during their residency training in hospitals and other healthcare clinics. After that, they have to pass a board certification exams to become a full license podiatrist with DPM as their title which means Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
Conditions that a podiatrist diagnose includes:
- Foot injuries like fracture or broken bones, sprained and strained ankles
- Any pain related to the foot
- Foot abnormalities
- Skin conditions such as athlete’s foot
- Nail conditions
- Heel pain
How do podiatrist diagnose?
Just like any other doctor, a podiatrist will first review the patient’s medical history and examine the symptoms. There will be some phsyical examination wherein a podiatrist wil check the offended area, such as the foot, and examine the situation. Should the specialist think in their own medical observation, they will recommend further tests for the final diagnoses.
Here are some usual test they recommend:
- X-ray, ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI, and bone scan.
- Blood tests
- Quantitiva sensory test
- EMG or electromyography
Podiatrists are not the same as orthopedists.
Both of them treat similar medical issues but they are not the same. Orthopedists is an orthopedic surgeon that specializes mostly on musculoskeletal disorder that affects the whole body. An orthopedic treats acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis, fractures, bursitis, ligament and tendon injuries as well.
How would you know if you’re going to the right doctor?
All the ailments that you are feeling falls under the categories as mentioned above. If you have problems of you foot, such as the skin and the nails – then a podiatrist is all you need. Pick a clinic that is best for you or better yet, visit Your Foot Clinic and you know you are in the right place.
