You’ve been feeling a lot of pain throughout your entire foot recently. You’re not sure what’s wrong but there is one person who might know. A Podiatrist.

A podiatrist specializes in all things foot care. Becoming one takes about as much time and energy as it does to pursue any other job in the medical field. If you’re thinking about going down this career path rather than being the patient, you’ll need to start hitting the books.

So, what does a podiatrist do besides diagnose foot issues? Keep reading to learn more about what they are and the conditions that they treat.

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

A podiatrist handles any health conditions that have to do with the lower legs and feet. These doctors treat a variety of injuries as well as look after people with underlying health issues such as arthritis or diabetes.

Even though they don’t go through the same training as regular doctors, they are still considered to be medical professionals. The difference is that they have a DPM qualifier tacked onto their name rather than MD. DPM stands for doctor of podiatric medicine.

Education and Training 

Podiatrists don’t go through traditional medical school to earn their titles. The first step is to take basic science classes in college, such as chemistry, biology, and physics. Most people get their bachelor’s in biology to serve this purpose.

Once you have your bachelor’s in hand, it’s time to make your way to podiatric school. Here you’ll spend four years studying the ins and outs of the muscles, bones, and nerves in the foot. You’ll also learn all about the various illnesses and injuries that affect a person’s feet.

After you’re done studying about feet, you’ll have to work in a hospital for three years to put your skills to the test. When the three years are up, you can, at last, get your certification and begin officially doing work as a podiatrist.

What Do They Treat? 

Now that you know sort of how to become a podiatrist, it’s time to learn more about the conditions you’ll see every day on the job. Here are a few of the most common ones.

Fractures and Sprains 

Fractures and sprains are likely to be the most common case that’s going to come through your door.

Many of these cases will be from athletes who were hurt on the field so you’ll need to be somewhat familiar with sports medicine. At least enough to not only diagnose the problem but tell them how to avoid hurting themselves again in the future.

Bunions and Hammertoes 

Both bunions and hammertoes stem from problems in the bones of the foot. Bunions form when the joint that rests at the base of the big toe swells up or is shifted out of place. The toe then bends toward a person’s other toes and thus a bunion is born.

Hammertoes are a little similar. It’s a term used to describe a toe that doesn’t bend in the direction that it should be bending in.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects more than the body’s supply of insulin. It also hinders the flow of blood to the feet.  Over time, the lack of blood begins to damage the nerves that are in a person’s feet and legs.

If left unchecked, this may result in foot amputation. As a podiatrist, your job will be to make sure someone’s condition doesn’t go that far.

Even the smallest sore on the foot can pose a problem to a person with diabetes. You’ll be examining and treating these sores.

Nail Disorders

It’s quite common for a person’s toenail to begin growing inward instead of straight out as it’s supposed to. It can cause an infection if left untreated by a skilled podiatrist such as yourself.

You’ll also be handling fungal issues that can also cause infection. It’s not the most pleasant part of the job but somebody’s got to do it.

Arthritis 

Arthritis is caused by inflammation in a person’s bones and joints. A person who is experiencing this problem may need to go to physical therapy or even go through surgery.

Sometimes arthritis can be solved with minor treatment like shoe inserts or special shoes. It’s up to the podiatrist to examine the patient and make that call.

Growing Pains

Grown-ups aren’t the only patients you’ll see coming into your office. Many children experience something known as growing pains.

If a child has flat feet, their toes point inward, or their toes simply don’t line up these are all signs of growing pains. Sometimes it can be fixed with something minor such as insoles, braces, and exercises.

If their situation is a little bit more serious you may have to recommend that they go through surgery.

Heel Pain

There are many things that can cause a person to experience heel pain. If too much calcium builds up at the bottom of someone’s heel bone this is known as heel spurs. They can come from running or wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly.

When the connective tissue at the bottom of a person’s foot becomes inflamed then they’re dealing with plantar fasciitis. If someone’s pain is near the back of their heel, they may have Achilles tendinitis.

A Look into the World of a Podiatrist 

Are you considering pursuing an exciting career as a Podiatrist? The first step is asking yourself what does a podiatrist do and seeking out information on the field.

From there it’s all a matter of going to school, getting that degree, and learning how to treat common foot conditions. Get started today.

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