My Favorite Podiatrist
The human foot is a complex structure. It contains 26 bones—plus
muscles, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels—and is designed for
balance and mobility. The 52 bones in the feet make up about
one-fourth of all the bones in the human body. Podiatrists, also
known as doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs), diagnose and treat
disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot and lower leg.
Podiatrists treat corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel
spurs, and arch problems; ankle and foot injuries, deformities, and
infections; and foot complaints associated with diabetes and other
diseases. To treat these problems, podiatrists prescribe drugs and
physical therapy, set fractures, and perform surgery. They also fit
corrective shoe inserts called orthotics, design plaster casts and
strappings to correct deformities, and design custom-made shoes.
Podiatrists may use a force plate or scanner to help design the
orthotics: patients walk across a plate connected to a computer that
“reads” their feet, picking up pressure points and weight
distribution. From the computer readout, podiatrists order the
correct design or recommend another kind of treatment.
To diagnose a foot problem, podiatrists also order x rays and
laboratory tests. The foot may be the first area to show signs of
serious conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
Note: The
Dr.'s name can be changed to your Dr's.
