Are you wondering whether is time to see a podiatrist about your feet?

There are more than 13,000 podiatrists in the United States and they handle more than 60 million visits from patients each year! Although podiatrists play an important role in keeping their patient’s feet healthy, you may not know what they do exactly.

Read on to learn more about what a podiatrist is and when you should see one!

Becoming Your Foot Doctor

Podiatrists are doctors of podiatric medicine (DPM) who are trained in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting someone’s ankles, feet or lower legs. 

Podiatrists receive medical education and training comparable to other medical doctors. This includes four years of undergraduate school, four years of graduate education at podiatric medical college, followed by hospital residency training. Some podiatrists extend their education and complete a fellowship to specialize in a certain area of podiatry.

The majority of podiatrists are board–certified. This certification is considered to be an earned credential for those foot specialists who have attained certain levels of skill and ability.

What does a podiatrist treat?

Podiatrists diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and ankles. They also help to prevent and correct foot deformities, keep people active, relieve pain, and treat infections of the lower extremities

Some common conditions treated at Family Foot & Ankle Centers include:

• toenail problems such as fungal nail infections or ingrown toenails
• corns
• warts
• athlete’s foot
• flat feet
• bunions
• heel pain
• gout
• sports injuries

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

It’s time to see a foot doctor when you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet. 

While persistent pain can help push you to call a podiatrist, you should also pay attention to the appearance of your feet. Sometimes you may have an ingrown toenail, discoloration in your toes, or other cracking in the soles of your feet. 

When you notice these noticeable physical changes in your feet, you shouldn’t ignore them. You need to speak with a podiatrist to determine what is wrong and the best way to treat it!

Wrapping Up: Find a Podiatrist Today

A podiatrist can be crucial to keeping your feet healthy whether you are young or old.

But finding the right podiatrist for you means taking time to consider your personal needs. You should speak to family members and friends about their experiences and how they liked their podiatrist.

Spending time learning about podiatrists will help you feel more confident when you make your decision to treat with one.

At the Family Foot and Ankle Centers, we are a team of experienced podiatrists focused on serving the needs of our patients! Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can improve your foot health!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Family Foot & Ankle Centers by clicking here or calling 972-597-4132 to reach our Waxahachie office, 903-872-9910 to reach our Corsicana office, or  972-875-3668 to reach our Ennis office.