In this field of medicine, there are many different kinds of doctors who specialize in different parts of the body. A podiatrist is one type of medical provider you might need to visit. Read on to learn more about this medical professional and what they can do for you.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a foot doctor. They assist with problems that affect your feet or lower legs. This specialist also treats injuries and complications from chronic health conditions. They are sometimes referred to as a podiatric physician, a doctor of podiatric medicine, or podiatrist foot doctors.

Are Podiatrists Doctors?

Yes, a podiatrist is a medical doctor as they must attend traditional medical school following their undergraduate degree. There are independent schools and professional associations of podiatry as well. Following their names will be the abbreviation "DPM" which stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

What Is a Podiatrist Qualified to Do?

A podiatrist is qualified to perform surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe drugs, order lab tests, perform X-rays, and more. Often, a podiatrist will work closely with other medical professionals to help a patient. They may work with your primary care doctor or an orthopedic specialist to help correct issues with your feet. Let's look at some of the conditions a podiatrist would treat.

What Can They Treat?

This is a common condition you would visit a podiatrist for. Fractures and sprains can impede your mobility and can get worse if not treated properly. A podiatrist often works with athletes to correct problems with the feet and ankles as it's vital for these individuals to take good care of their feet.

Bunions and Hammertoes

Conditions such as these are often painful and can get progressively worse if not treated. These are essentially issues with the bones of the feet. According to WebMD, each foot has 33 joints and many bones, which demonstrates the complexity of the foot's anatomy. If conditions develop that affect the bones and joints, it can cut down on your mobility and cause great pain.

Stress Fractures

Typically, stress fractures are a result of impact over time and result in a small crack in the bone of the foot. The activities that are most often associated with this issue are long-distance running or jumping. Additionally, if you have any preexisting conditions, such as osteoporosis, you may be susceptible to getting stress fractures. These can be incredibly painful and can also reduce your mobility.

Now that you know a little more about what a podiatrist can do to help patients, you can assess whether you may need to reach out to your local professional. If you're suffering from conditions affecting your feet, please contact our team at Mid Nebraska Foot Clinic today.