A Podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. There are numerous conditions that affect the feet, including, but not limited to:
Often, the podiatric physician is the first doctor to diagnose and treat these problems. Your medical doctor may refer you to a podiatrist for your foot complaints. The podiatrist may in turn send you to another type of medical specialist depending on the findings of the foot examination.
Most podiatrists, regardless of how seemingly minor your foot complaint is, will perform a full history and lower extremity physical examination. Although patients frequently ask if this examination is necessary for "just a foot problem," a thorough examination ensures that you receive proper care. The foot has often been referred to as a "mirror of the body" because many health problems requiring medical management may first make themselves known by causing symptoms in the foot. Diabetes is very commonly revealed this way. High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, spinal disorders, and many other potentially serious problems may be picked up during a foot examination.
The doctor will ask you about your foot problem in detail. You should expect to be asked the following questions:
The podiatrist will also inquire about your medical history, asking about the following:
You may then be asked questions about various parts of your body such as your head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat, lungs, heart, kidneys, skin and nails, and joints, to make sure you did not inadvertently leave anything out of your medical history. The podiatrist will then inquire about your occupation and other areas of your social history.
At the end of gathering this information about you, the podiatrist may have a very good idea about what it is that is causing your foot complaint.
You can expect your skin and nails to be checked for discoloration, hydration, and signs of wounds, infections, or any growths. The doctor will check your pulse on top of your feet and the inside of your ankle to check that the arteries are providing adequate circulation. The legs are observed for swelling and discoloration which, among other things, may represent disease of the veins that bring blood away from the foot back to your heart. The nerves of your legs and feet will be examined by checking reflexes and how well you feel certain types of sensation applied to areas around your feet. The doctor may gently squeeze the joints of your foot to see if they are painful, as well as moving them to see if the motion is restricted or painful in any way.
For additional help arriving at an accurate diagnosis, the podiatrist may order a X-ray exam of your foot, as well as certain types of scans, including MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. Vascular tests, such as Doppler ultrasound, may be needed. Your podiatrist may also order blood and urine testing. For certain types of skin growths or tumors of the foot, a biopsy may be required. The biopsy can range from a very simple needle aspiration to an open surgical procedure.
Your first visit to a Podiatrist can be a step to better management of your overall health. Feel free to discuss your concerns with your foot doctor. He is dedicated to arriving at an accurate diagnosis and rapid resolution of your problem. He is also able to refer you to any number of appropriate specialists and/or primary care physicians if their input is required in the management of your problem.
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