Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey: Podiatry (2024)

FAQs

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

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.

They may assist other doctors in treating a health issue. Podiatrists may also: Diagnose foot problems like skin and nail diseases, congenital (at-birth) deformities, tumors, and ulcers. Treat conditions like corns, arch problems, heel spurs, shortened tendons, bone disorders, and cysts.

If you have any issues that involve the foot and or ankle—a sports injury, arthritis/joint pain, skin problems, etc. —a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.

Some of the medical conditions podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.

The most common foot problem that a podiatrist treats is heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for heel pain often includes things like stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or cortisone injections.

As a general guideline, if you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting your foot or ankle health, it's best to see a podiatrist. If you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting any other part of your musculoskeletal system, it's best to see an orthopedic physician.

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.

Wait, do podiatrists do pedicures? Absolutely. A medical pedicure professional has a university degree and can answer any of your questions about feet. Using medical-grade equipment, they will restore life to your feet, no matter how bad they seem to you.

Although both specialists can treat foot and ankle conditions, it is best to get help from podiatrists for foot-related issues. Podiatrists have more specialized skills and training for foot and ankle health.

Can a podiatrist tell if you have arthritis? ›

Your podiatrist may use an MRI, CT scans, or X-rays to confirm that you have arthritis in your ankles or feet.

The most common causes include injury, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it. Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications.

Some of the most common foot problems in older adults include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, ingrown, thickened or discolored nails, diabetic foot conditions, poor circulation, and heel pain. Regular visits to a podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health as you age.

Corns and calluses are some of the most common reasons people visit a podiatrist. These areas of built-up skin can be painful if they get too thick. A podiatrist may recommend cortisone injections to reduce the pain. Another option your doctor has is to reduce their size using a surgical blade.

Nail problems should be evaluated and treated by your podiatrist, who can diagnose the ailment, and then prescribe medication or another appropriate treatment. A podiatrist will resect the ingrown portion of the nail and may prescribe a topical or oral medication to treat the infection.

The only discernible difference between them is that an orthopedist manages parts of the foot and ankle that pertain to the bones, soft tissues and joints, while a podiatrist manages the same areas, but also the biomechanics and dermatology of the foot and ankle.

A podiatrist can help you manage circulation issues that affect the feet, which is especially important for those afflicted with diabetes. Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention.

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

Dr. Alan MacGill, Named One of U.S.'s Top Foot & Ankle Surgeons in 2020 by BECKER'S - Spine & Orthopedic Center.

What will an orthopedic doctor do for ankle pain? ›

In most cases, your orthopedic surgeon will explore all non-surgical treatments before choosing to operate. Among the non-surgical treatments and therapies for foot and ankle conditions are: Bracing, splinting or casting the foot/ankle. Using supports like crutches or other assistive devices.

Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.

Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain.

Because peripheral artery disease affects the lower extremities, they can sometimes be mistaken for peripheral neuropathy symptoms, and vice versa.

Typically, the nerve pain first affects the toes and surrounding areas, and it may then slowly spread to the rest of the feet and up the legs. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include: tingling, burning, sharp, or shooting pain in the toes or feet. the sensation of an electric shock in these areas.

NonCovered Foot Care

The cutting of toenails in a healthy person or when they are not painful is not a payable service by Medicare. The cutting of corns and calluses in a healthy person is not a payable service by Medicare. Legally, your podiatrist cannot try to obtain Medicare payment for noncovered foot care.

If you're having problems with your toes or toenails, wearing nail polish on them might hinder the doctor's tests. Make sure you do not put on nail polish before you see a podiatrist. If you already have some on your nails, take it off before your appointment.

Visit a Podiatrist

If you can't trim your own toenails, a podiatrist can do that during your visit. If you are a senior and a diabetic, it's vital that you avoid trimming your own toenails to lower your risk for developing an infection in your feet.

Can a podiatrist give a cortisone shot? ›

A typical procedure for cortisone injections in the foot

Following the evaluation of the patient's condition and the diagnosis, the podiatrist may opt for cortisone injections. They then have an ultrasound examination in order to analyse and assess the problem areas.

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).

DPMs, also called podiatrists, diagnose and treat disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. They can specialize in areas such as sports medicine, surgery, biomechanics, and diabetic foot care, among others.

For people with osteoarthritis of the knee, walking barefoot may be even better than wearing some types of shoes. That's because barefoot walking reduces the load on the knee joint. When you can't go barefoot, flip-flops are another option.

“People with arthritis should choose boots with low, more stable, rubber-soled wedged heels or flatter boots with good arch support. Hiking boots are generally sturdy and give good ankle support,” he says. Sturdiness is important, but hiking boots also need some flexibility.

Four areas of the foot are most frequently affected by arthritis: the big toe, the midfoot, the hindfoot, and the ankle.

Many experts agree that the recommended steps per day for seniors is 7,000-10,000. People who live with a disability or chronic illness can still benefit from an active lifestyle, and depending on individual abilities may strive for 5,500 steps per day.

What are the two causes of most foot problems? ›

Improper footwear, diabetes, and aging are some of the chief contributors to foot problems. This article will highlight some of the most common foot concerns, their causes, and when to seek treatment.

DPMs, also called podiatrists, diagnose and treat disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. They can specialize in areas such as sports medicine, surgery, biomechanics, and diabetic foot care, among others.

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg.

Orthoses can be applied to pretty much any art of the body from the spine to the foot. A high percentage of an Orthotists work is lower limb i.e. knee and foot & ankle. A Podiatrist specialises in the treatment of the foot and ankle and usually their knowledge is centred below the knee.

Dr. Alan MacGill, Named One of U.S.'s Top Foot & Ankle Surgeons in 2020 by BECKER'S - Spine & Orthopedic Center.

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.

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include: Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs. Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues.

If plantar fasciitis does not get better, a GP might refer you to a physiotherapist or foot specialist (podiatrist). A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help ease your symptoms. A podiatrist can recommend things like insoles and the right shoes to wear.

Do podiatrists always prescribe orthotics? ›

A podiatrist will prescribe orthotics based on medical problems or pain a patient may be experiencing. The podiatrist will also watch how a patient moves (known as gait analysis) and consider other issues like their level and type of activity, foot type, and the movement of their ankle, knee and hip.

Podiatrists are experts in foot care with training in foot anatomy, biomechanics and prescribing orthotics for therapy.