What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of the foot and ankle who treats foot and ankle conditions, including nail, skin, bone, tendon and diabetic disorders. Podiatrists treat such disorders with surgery, prescription medication, medicated creams and ointments (including Tripod Labs Nailstat, Hydrostat, Plantarstat, Clearstat, Flexstat and Tineastat), custom-made orthotics (shoe inserts), physical therapy, injections, casting, and braces.

What type of medical training do podiatrists have?

Podiatrists have similar academic and practical training as medical doctors; they must complete four years of undergraduate college and then four years of podiatric medical school, where they take most of the same academic classes as other doctors except that they study the foot and leg in greater detail. After podiatric medical school, most podiatrists complete a residency program during which they train at a hospital from one to three years and specialize in surgery, medicine or orthopedics. Many podiatrists who have private practices are also on staff at one or more hospitals in order to care for patients who require hospitalization.

Do podiatrists treat young patients?

Podiatrists treat people of all ages - ranging from infants to seniors.

What are typical foot and ankle conditions and disorders treated by podiatrists?

Typical foot and ankle conditions and disorders treated by podiatrists include general nail and skin care, topical fungus infections of the skin (athlete's foot and ringworm), fungal infections of the nail and nail bed, dry and cracked skin on the heels and feet, muscle and joint pain in the feet, broken bones, sprains, warts, ingrown toenails, infections, bunions, hammertoes, and foot conditions caused by diabetes. During office visits, many podiatrists dispense skin and nail care products thought to be effective in the treatment of such conditions.