Podiatry is the treatment of the foot, ankle, and related structures. A podiatry specialist, or doctor of podiatric medicine, is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders and injuries of the foot and related structures. Like other medical doctors, a podiatry specialist goes to medical school and undertake residencies to learn their chosen discipline.
What kinds of conditions might a podiatry specialist treat?
You may not always think of your feet as a critical part of your health, but visiting a podiatry specialist may be able to help you more than you thought!
A podiatrist may treat any of the following conditions affecting the foot or ankle:
- Sports injuries
- Toenail fungus
- Plantar warts
- Bunions
- Arthritis
- Ingrown toenails
- Work-related injuries
Some podiatrists specialize in treating children (pediatric podiatry), and some specialize in patients with diabetes (diabetic foot care). The latter may fit their patients with special shoes.
A podiatrist can also advise a patient on how to properly take care of their feet, whether to keep them healthy or treat an injury or condition. They can advise a patient on how to choose the best shoes for a given sport or activity.
What should a new patient expect?
A new patient should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment to fill out any needed forms. They should expect to stay as long as an hour during their initial examination and consultation. A new patient should bring a list of their current medications, allergies, and doctors. They should also bring insurance information and any online forms they filled out beforehand.
To learn more about how you can benefit from visiting with a podiatry specialist, schedule your consultation with our team today when you contact us at Southside Medical Center! We are committed to keeping the Atlanta, Georgia, area healthy. Contact us today and put your best foot forward!