A podiatrist is also known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) or, more commonly, a foot doctor. Podiatrists are physicians whose practice is specialized to address issues and injuries of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists can be found in every state of the United States and also practice in many countries around the world.
Podiatry Scope of Practice
Podiatrists treat conditions of the foot and ankle, which can include sports injuries, trauma injuries, diabetic wound care, and other more common problems caused by daily wear and tear. These can include bunions, corns, warts, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and more.
Education for Podiatric Medicine
Podiatrists complete a four year undergraduate degree, and then apply to one of eight schools of podiatry. There, students receive four years of medical training, after which they complete a two to three year podiatric residency. Training is received in clinical and surgical treatments. Podiatrists can specialize in sports medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, diabetic foot care, and more. Before beginning practice, podiatric physicians take state and national exams and need to be licensed by the state in which they practice.
Sources for Finding a Foot Doctor
Podiatrist Referral Sources
A general practitioner or family doctor should be able to recommend a podiatrist for treatment of conditions of the foot and ankle. If there is more than one foot doctor in an area, the family doctor may have a recommendation based on the type of care needed. The local phone book also will contain a listing of local DPMs. If those sources are unsatisfactory, each U.S. state has a medical board or association that tracks physicians in its region, and the medical board can provide contact information.
Online Podiatrist Sources
ePodiatry.com is on online source for foot-related health issues. Patients can search for podiatrists in eleven different countries, including the U.S., Canada, England, Australia, and Spain. To find a foot doctor in the U.S., simply click on the state in which you live. A list of podiatrists in your state with active websites will appear.
The APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) also maintains a listing of podiatrists in the U.S., which is more comprehensive than the ePodiatry.com list. The APMA site does include international physicians, but only podiatrists who are members of the APMA are listed. The APMA site can be searched by name, city, state, or zip code.
A podiatrist can be a valuable aide in treating conditions of the foot and ankle, whether caused by illness, injury, or disease. Find a foot doctor using resources that include family physicians and online sites.
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