What is podiatry?
Podiatrists are medical specialists that focus on the lower part of your body, specifically the feet, ankles and lower legs. So what is podiatry and what do they do? They can treat both injuries and complications from any ongoing health issues you may have, such as diabetes. While they are considered doctors, podiatrists don’t attend a traditional medical school and instead have their own schools and their own title, going by DPM instead of MD.
What is podiatry? Podiatry is a branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Podiatrists—also known as foot doctors—are healthcare professionals specially trained to address a wide range of issues, from minor skin problems to complex musculoskeletal disorders.
Our feet are some of the hardest-working parts of our bodies. They support our weight, absorb shock, and keep us balanced—all while enduring daily wear and tear. Despite their importance, foot health is often overlooked until problems arise. This is where podiatry comes in. So, what is podiatry?
Podiatrists treat a variety of conditions, including bunions, heel pain (often caused by plantar fasciitis), ingrown toenails, flat feet, and sports injuries. They also play a crucial role in managing complications related to chronic conditions like diabetes, which can lead to serious foot issues if not properly monitored.
In addition to treating existing conditions, podiatrists focus heavily on prevention. They provide gait analysis, recommend proper footwear, and offer advice on how to avoid injuries. Some podiatrists specialize further in areas like sports medicine, surgery, or pediatric podiatry.
Seeing a podiatrist isn’t just for athletes or people with foot pain. Routine checkups can help detect problems early, prevent infections, and improve overall mobility and quality of life. It’s important to know what is podiatry to know how they can help.
If you’re experiencing persistent foot or ankle discomfort, changes in nail or skin appearance, or issues with walking or balance, it might be time to consult a podiatrist. A small step today could make a big difference in how you move tomorrow.
Why Should I See a Podiatrist?
The feet have a reasonably complicated structure to them, which is important to keep us moving, but also means a lot of things can go wrong with them. It’s important to know what is podiatry and that’s where a podiatrist comes in. You should contact a podiatrist if you have any of the following:
- Foot pain
- Cuts in the skin on your feet
- Peeling on your soles
- Strange wart-like growths on your feet
- Discolored, ingrown or in any way problematic toenails
What Can a Podiatrist Treat?
There are many conditions that podiatrists can treat, and while many of them may be more common in older citizens, they will treat people of any age. Here are some of the conditions a podiatrist will treat:
- A sprain or broken foot or ankle: This one is pretty obvious since they specialize in foot injuries.
- Pain, numbness or swelling of the foot: Occasional sore feet aren’t a problem, but if it’s continuous, it could be something serious.
- Bunions: Bunions are a lump that develops outside your big toe joint and becomes more painful as they get bigger. A podiatrist can diagnose the reason for the bunion and recommend treatment options.
- Diabetes: Anyone who is suffering from diabetes should see a podiatrist at least once a year. A regular checkup can help prevent dangerous problems that can stem from diabetes.
- Ingrown toenails: Your safest option for dealing with an ingrown toenail is to have a podiatrist remove it, as they are best prepared to deal with any infections the nail may have caused. It is also less painful, as a podiatrist can numb the area before removing the nail.
What is podiatry? Contact your HROSM orthopaedic specialist at (757) 873-1554 for further steps to take to address your issues.
