What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a medical practitioner who identifies and prevents medical problems and disorders affecting mainly the feet. They can also detect and treat issues with the ankles and lower limbs, but this relies on where they operate.

Podiatrists go through comprehensive preparation and training programs before they begin seeing patients.

Podiatrists obtain doctoral degrees from approved colleges in podiatric medicine. Although they have a vast knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, their training focuses on treating the lower extremities, particularly the legs.

Podiatrists develop hands-on practice through residency training in hospitals and health centers. After undertaking this training, a series of board certification tests must be carried out. A fully licensed podiatrist has the letters DMP after their initials, which stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

People will want to make a podiatrist appointment if they feel discomfort, numbness, or swelling of their feet.

Conditions a podiatrist can diagnose:

• Foot injuries, such as damaged or broken bones, as well as sprains and strains
• Foot pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout
• Diabetic foot diseases, such as infections, chronic ulcers, nerve damage, or neuropathy
• Structural foot anomalies, including hammers, flat legs, and high arches
• Body disorders, such as warts, corn, plantar dermatosis, and athlete’s foot
• Nail problems, including ingrown nails and nail infection
• Causes of inflammation in the heel such as plantar fasciitis

Diagnosis

Podiatrists typically initiate the diagnosis process by examining a person’s medical history and existing symptoms.

They do a simple physical test of the foot. They search for signs of swelling and skin smudges during this examination. They can ask a person to walk around or shift their feet and toes in various directions.
Based on their initial results, further testing could be prescribed prior to the final diagnosis. Podiatrists can utilize the following diagnostic tools:

• Imaging tests, including x-rays, ultrasound, bone scan, CT scan, and MRI scan. These tests can show bone fractures, blocked or small blood vessels, and other structural issues.
• Blood testing to diagnose inflammation or inflammatory or allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Quantitative sensory testing uses a sophisticated computer device that tracks how often the nerves see differences in temperature and sensation. Podiatrists use this procedure to detect diabetic neuropathy, hypersensitivity, and other foot nervous problems.
• Electromyography (EMG) tests how well muscles react to nerve impulses. While the procedure, the health care provider sticks one or two small needles, called electrodes, into the muscle to collect electrical activity from the muscle tissue. Abnormal EMG findings show a nerve disorder that will help the podiatrist direct the care.

Treatment

When a podiatrist has made a diagnosis, they will prescribe treatment. A podiatrist can collaborate with another specialist or a whole health team, focusing on the disorder’s form and seriousness.

• They can give the following treatments:
• Setting broken bones
• Prescription medications, such as painkillers, antibiotics, and antifungals
• Corticosteroid, or cortisone, joint injection
• Joint aspiration, or fluid evacuation from the space surrounding the joint
• Corrective shoes
• Orthotics, like insoles and braces

Podiatrists can execute surgeries in order to overcome the following issues:

• Treat sore or broken tendons and ligaments.
• Set fractured bones back.
• Drop buns, bone spurs, and tumors.
• Debride of weakened, contaminated, or dead tissue.
• Right anatomical anomalies, such as hammers and flat legs.

Eligibility

Podiatrists who wish to practice in those fields of podiatric medicine must complete a fellowship program during their residence. Podiatrists will have direct knowledge of their subspecialty during the fellowship. They will pass qualification tests in their sub-specialties.

Are podiatrists doctors?

A podiatrist is a specialist in podiatric medicine. That being said, they are not the same as doctors (MDs), also known as physicians.

While podiatrists are not formally doctors, their curriculum and preparation standards are identical to those of physicians. Podiatrists get advanced instruction in the foot, ankle, and lower leg conditions.

Professionalism course for podiatrists

Once the podiatrists have fulfilled the educational requirement, they are highly recommended to enroll in the professionalism course for podiatrists in order to help them get a better understanding and practices of professionalism when they are about to start working in the professional field.

These were some of the important details about the podiatrists that can help you better understand who they are and what you must know about them.