Sarasota Foot Care Center: Podiatrists (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a foot specialist and a podiatrist? ›

Podiatrists complete four years of higher education at a school of podiatry to receive their medical certification. They follow their podiatry education with two to three years of residency. Foot and ankle specialists receive additional advanced training to treat traumatic injuries of the lower leg, ankle, and foot.

A podiatrist will: Ask about any symptoms you're experiencing and how you're managing your blood glucose. Examine your toes, feet and legs. Touch your toes, feet and legs with different tools to check for numbness and if you've lost any feeling.

A podiatrist can analyze your gait and determine what type of custom orthotics can be used inside your shoes to help keep your feet stable and in the proper position while walking or standing. Physiotherapy exercises. Physiotherapy exercises are used to strengthen any weak muscles and to help with balance issues.

A surgically trained podiatrist or a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon are both excellent choices.

The truth is that foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons have the most comprehensive training available for nonsurgical treatment options and have the highest level of qualifications to diagnose the root cause of any foot or ankle problem.

Your podiatrist can safely cut your nails and remove fungus without spreading it. They can also prescribe antifungal creams and sprays to help the nail heal.

Treat conditions such as: bone disorders, bunions, corns, calluses, cysts, heel spurs, infections, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis.

A podiatrist, family physician, internist, or physician who specializes in diabetes can diagnose peripheral neuropathy. The diagnosis is made on the basis of a physical exam, health history, and your reporting of symptoms.

What is the best scan for foot pain? ›

CT scans are often superior to conventional X-rays because they can more accurately pinpoint a suspected problem. Common foot problems a CT exam can help diagnose include: arthritis, deformities, flat feet, foreign bodies, fractures, infection, and tumors.

A podiatrist goes to Podiatric Medical School and earns the DPM degree. Like other medical schools, podiatric medical schools require the MCAT test and are competitive. However, pod schools get fewer applicants than general med schools, and are therefore easier to get into.

Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

Strengthen the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles. Increase flexibility and stability in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A healthy weight can reduce the risk of obesity, which can put a lot of strain on the feet and ankles. Increase circulation and reduce swelling.

Loss of balance or unsteadiness

Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

A DPM has a comparable educational path to that of other types of doctors. With this level of schooling and training, it makes sense for them to earn more than many occupations while being on par with other physician specialists. There are also many sub-specializations within the specialty of podiatry.

Podiatrists treat everything from bunions to infected toenails, and patients are guaranteed to receive the best answer for their foot problems from a podiatrist. But there is another term that many people – particularly older patients – still use for foot doctors: chiropodist.

Both podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons are qualified to treat foot and ankle conditions, surgically and non-surgically. In general, the best bet is to choose the doctor you feel the most comfortable with, or who has the most experience treating your particular condition.

Podiatrists are doctors, but they don't go to traditional medical school. They have their own schools and professional associations. They also have "DPM" (doctor of podiatric medicine) after their names instead of "MD" (medical doctor).

Podiatrists perform surgery for various types of foot problems. Conditions that may require surgery include bunions, contracted toes (Hammertoes), recurring ingrown toenails, and broken bones. Corns and calluses are some of the most common reasons people visit a podiatrist.