Get To Know Podiatrist

A podiatrist is a well-respected professional who is an authority in the field. The podiatrist completed four years of study and training at the Faculty of Podiatry. They then gain experience through three years of training in a hospital or clinic. Podiatrists also undergo specialized fellowship training focused on a specific area. In the U.S., podiatrists are eligible to practice in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Council of Podiatric Medical Specialty Boards governs and certifies this group of doctors and determines which doctors qualify for specialized podiatric board certification and fellowship training. To earn a doctor of podiatry degree, students must complete a two-year residency program.

There are two categories of podiatrists: primary and secondary. A primary care podiatrist treats patients with a variety of medical conditions affecting the foot and ankle. These podiatrists are also specialists in diagnosing, prescribing and modifying treatment for certain conditions.

Podiatrists are sometimes confused with foot and ankle surgeons, but that is not necessarily the case. Foot and ankle surgeons are considered physicians, and are therefore in the field of general medicine. They operate in more specialized areas such as tendon or nerve injury surgery and reconstructive surgeries. This means that podiatrists have some of the same powers as physicians

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

Podiatrist usually perform surgical procedures to reset broken bones, prescribe medications, and arrange for laboratory tests and x-rays. They can also do other types of procedures, such as plantar fasciotomy and triggerpoint injections. For example, a plantar fasciotomy is a surgical procedure that targets a trigger point under the sole of your foot to relieve the pain. A trigger point injection is a medication injection that is designed to numb the painful triggerpoint.

Painful heel spur can be managed with either conservative measures or in most cases, using heel pad injections that help to relieve the pain for your back. In most cases, heel pad injections are most effective in relieving the pain of a heel spur over a longer period of time and not necessarily making your heel pain go away completely.

When the symptoms of heel pain cannot be treated successfully with the above recommendations, the physician may elect to inject drugs into the affected heel, either by inserting needles directly into the heels or by injecting them into the subcutaneous layer of tissue above the heel bone.