Most of us don't think much about our feet until they hurt. Then the question comes up: who do I see for this? Your family doctor? An orthopedist? A podiatrist? Many people aren't sure what a podiatrist actually does, or when it makes sense to go.
Here's a plain-language look at what podiatrists are, how they're trained, what they treat, and the signs it's time to get your feet checked.
What Is a Podiatrist?
Cleveland Clinic describes a podiatrist as "a doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery who specializes in caring for your feet and ankles." Their focus covers the feet, ankles and lower legs.1 You may also hear podiatrists called podiatric physicians, podiatric surgeons or foot and ankle surgeons.1
Podiatrists hold a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, written as DPM after their name.1,2 The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) describes foot and ankle surgeons as "the surgical specialists of the podiatric profession," providing medical and surgical care for conditions that affect people of every age.3
How Are Podiatrists Trained?
Becoming a podiatrist takes many years of study and hands-on training:
- College first. Most podiatrists complete a four-year undergraduate degree before podiatric medical school.1
- Podiatric medical school. The DPM program takes four years at an accredited college of podiatric medicine.2,3
- Residency. After graduation comes residency training. ACFAS notes that most podiatric residency programs are three years long.3 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes these as podiatric medicine and surgery residencies based in hospitals.2
- Fellowship (optional). Some complete an additional year of fellowship training in a focused area.1,3
- Licensing. Every state requires podiatrists to be licensed, which includes passing a qualifying exam.2
- Board certification (optional). Many podiatrists choose to become board certified, which generally requires work experience and passing an exam.2 For example, certification by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery requires an approved residency, clinical experience, a large number of surgeries and a two-part certification process.3
What Does a Podiatrist Actually Do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Cleveland Clinic, the work of a podiatrist can include:1,2
- Taking your medical history and doing a physical exam
- Ordering lab tests or imaging tests
- Providing nonsurgical treatment for foot, ankle and lower leg problems
- Prescribing medications
- Prescribing devices like orthotics (shoe inserts), braces and casts, or mobility aids like canes and walkers
- Performing foot and ankle surgery when it's needed
- Teaching patients how to care for their feet
- Referring patients to other doctors or specialists when they notice other health problems
ACFAS also points out that foot and ankle specialists can spot early signs of diseases, such as diabetes, that show up in the feet and legs.3
What Conditions Do Podiatrists Treat?
Cleveland Clinic lists a wide range of problems podiatrists care for, including:1
- Toe and nail problems: ingrown toenails, bunions, and nail and skin conditions
- Pain and inflammation: plantar fasciitis, tendonitis and arthritis
- Skin growths: plantar warts
- Injuries: ankle sprains, fractures, sports injuries and Achilles tendon ruptures
- Diabetes-related foot problems: numbness and loss of feeling, ulcers and leg wounds
You can read more about some of these in our pages on heel pain and bunions.
Podiatrist or Orthopedist: What's the Difference?
Both can treat foot and ankle problems, and their work often overlaps. Cleveland Clinic explains the main difference this way:1
- A podiatrist specializes in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
- An orthopedist is a surgeon who treats the whole musculoskeletal system: bones, muscles, joints and soft tissues throughout the body. Orthopedists provide nonsurgical care too.
Depending on your condition, you may see one or both.1 If you're not sure where to start, ACFAS suggests asking your family doctor, diabetes educator or nurse practitioner for a recommendation.4
When Should I See a Podiatrist?
Cleveland Clinic's advice is simple: see a podiatrist "if you notice any symptoms that make it hard or painful to use your feet or ankles."1 ACFAS likewise recommends seeing a foot and ankle specialist any time you have foot or ankle pain, or after a serious injury.4 Signs worth getting checked include:1
- Pain in your feet or ankles
- Swelling
- Redness, discoloration or warmth
- New growths or bumps on or under the skin
Cleveland Clinic also cautions against trying to diagnose yourself or starting over-the-counter treatments before you know what's going on.1
Why Do People With Diabetes See a Podiatrist?
The CDC explains that nerve damage and poor blood flow from diabetes raise the risk of foot ulcers, and that small problems can become serious if they aren't treated early.5 The CDC recommends that people with diabetes check their feet every day and visit their foot doctor every year for a complete exam, or more often if they have nerve damage.5 That exam includes checking feeling and blood flow in your feet.5
MedlinePlus explains that a complete diabetic foot exam may be done by your health care provider or a podiatrist. It usually includes a review of your history, medications and shoes; a look at your skin and nails; tests of nerve function and feeling; a check for changes in bones and muscles; and a check of blood flow.6 The CDC also suggests having a podiatrist trim your toenails if you can't see or reach your feet.5 Learn more on our diabetic foot care page.
What Happens at a Podiatry Visit?
According to Cleveland Clinic, a podiatrist will usually ask about your overall health, your medications, your symptoms and when they started. They may watch you stand and walk, which is called a gait assessment, and ask about the shoes you wear.1 It helps to mention your job and any sports or hobbies that are hard on your feet.1 If you work on your feet all day, hike, ski or spend long hours in work boots, say so.
Since you'll likely be asked about your medications and shoes, it can help to bring a medication list and the shoes you wear most. Our new patients page explains what to expect when you come in.
The Bottom Line
A podiatrist is a doctor (DPM) who focuses on the feet, ankles and lower legs. After four years of podiatric medical school and hospital residency training, podiatrists diagnose and treat everything from ingrown toenails and heel pain to injuries and diabetes-related foot problems, with both nonsurgical care and surgery. If foot or ankle pain is making it hard to get around, or you have diabetes and haven't had a complete foot exam this year, it's a good time to get your feet checked.
Our podiatrists are accepting new patients. Request an appointment and our team will follow up within one business day. You can also find your nearest office on our locations page.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk with a podiatrist or your doctor about your own symptoms.
Sources
- What Is a Podiatrist? What They Do & When To See One. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org
- Podiatrists. Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. www.bls.gov
- What Is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon? American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FootHealthFacts.org). www.foothealthfacts.org
- When Is It Time to See a Foot and Ankle Surgeon? American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FootHealthFacts.org). www.foothealthfacts.org
- Your Feet and Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). www.cdc.gov
- Diabetic Foot Exam. MedlinePlus Medical Test, U.S. National Library of Medicine. medlineplus.gov
