What is a Foot Doctor Called?
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By: Drew Heideman, MPT, ATC, PES
What Do You Call a Foot Specialist?
The quick answer for what are foot doctors called or what a foot doctor is called really depends on who you ask, but typically a foot doctor is called either a Podiatrist or an Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Specialist. A podiatrist is a medical professional who treats disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. Foot doctors are called Foot and Ankle specialists because they are medical professionals who exclusively specialize in treating the foot and ankle.
What is a foot specialist called? A foot doctor used to be called a chiropodist but since the 1960s this term is no longer used in the US. A foot specialist is called a doctor of podiatric medicine, podiatric physician and surgeon, or foot and ankle surgeon in present times. There are more than 17,800 practicing podiatrists in the US today. Podiatrists are in high demand today due to the baby boomer population aging. Foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems today.
What is a foot doctor called? Image of a foot.
To become a foot doctor one obtains the Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). This includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by four years in an accredited podiatric medical school, followed by a three or four-year hospital-based surgical residency. Podiatrists’ scope of practice includes dealing with bone and joint disorders such as arthritis and soft tissue pathologies as well as neurological and circulatory diseases.
At JOI, we have orthopedic physicians that specialize in the treatment of the foot and ankle. Our foot and ankle specialists can diagnose and treat any condition involving the lower limb, including:
- Skin and nail pathologies.
- Calluses.
- Corns.
- Bunions.
- Hammertoes.
- Neuromas.
- Ingrown Toenails.
- Plantar Fasciitis.
- Foot and Ankle Sprains.
- Foot and Ankle Fractures.
Our orthopedic doctors have surgical training and can perform surgery on a variety of conditions. The most common surgical procedures include bunions, claw toes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, and Achilles ruptures. They can also perform and interpret diagnostic procedures including x-rays, MRIs, ultrasound, and lab tests to help with the diagnosis of pathologies. Our physicians use JOI Rehab to create custom orthotic inserts to help with their gait patterns and shoes. Watch this VIDEO about 5 foot and ankle symptoms you should not ignore.
What is a Good Time to Call a Foot Doctor?
Determining when you need to be consulted by a physician can be hard. If you have persistent pain in your feet or ankles you should get it evaluated by a professional. Furthermore, if you have noticeable changes to your nails or skin, severely cracking, scaling, or peeling skin, and blisters on your feet you need this assessed. It is important to watch for signs of bacterial infection in the foot which include: increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, warmth, red streaks extended from the affected area, discharge of pus, or a fever of 100 degrees or higher.
Signs of infection would require immediate medical attention to prevent the spreading of the infection to another area of the foot. Another reason to call the foot doctor would be if you have heel pain accompanied by a fever, redness, warmth, numbness and tingling on the heel, or persistent pain without putting weight through the heel, and pain is not alleviated by ice and ibuprofen. Lastly, if you have diabetes or with diseases associated with poor circulation and you develop wounds or sores. People with diabetes and PAD are at increased risk for severe bacterial infection in the foot and leg.
JOI Foot Doctors
In summary, a foot doctor at JOI is an orthopedic physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Feet are complex and are instrumental to one’s overall health and well being. Our orthopedic physicians who treat the foot and ankle are board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. For foot pain treatment follow the link below to schedule online with a foot orthopedic doctors near me. Watch this VIDEO about why plantar fasciitis can’t wait.
JOI Physicians and JOI Rehab are now offering Telemedicine or Virtual Visits. For physical therapy at JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.
Related Article: Hammer Toes, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.
Foot Doc in Jacksonville
You can also complete all of your new patient paperwork from home. To request registration paperwork electronically click HERE.
To schedule an appointment with a Foot Doctor near me, please call (904)JOI-2000, schedule online, or click the link below.