Treatment FAQ

a patient who needs treatment for a foot disorder should be referred to which type of specialist?

by Prof. Kira Glover Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

A podiatrist is a foot doctor. They are also called a doctor of podiatric medicine or DPM. A podiatrist will have the letters DPM after their name. This kind of physician or surgeon treats the foot, ankle, and connecting parts of the leg.

Full Answer

What do you call a doctor who specializes in foot injuries?

This type of doctor is called a podiatrist. A podiatrist treats all types of orthopedic conditions and injuries that affect the foot and ankle. If you have a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or a sprained ankle, a podiatrist can treat it.

What conditions can a podiatrist treat?

If you have a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or a sprained ankle, a podiatrist can treat it. Corns, calluses, heel spurs, fallen arches, biomechanical issues, and diabetic foot care are some other examples of conditions podiatrists treat.

When should you see a podiatrist for foot care?

If you have a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or a sprained ankle, a podiatrist can treat it. Corns, calluses, heel spurs, fallen arches, biomechanical issues, and diabetic foot care are some other examples of conditions podiatrists treat. Similar to orthopedic doctors, podiatrists can also specialize in surgery.

What do you call a podiatrist?

You might hear them called a podiatric physician or doctor of podiatric medicine. Are They Doctors? Podiatrists are doctors, but they don't go to traditional medical school.

Which of the following specialists would you see to treat foot issues?

Podiatrists are medical specialists who help with problems that affect your feet or lower legs. They can treat injuries as well as complications from ongoing health issues like diabetes. You might hear them called a podiatric physician or doctor of podiatric medicine.

What do you call a foot doctor?

What does a podiatrist do? Podiatrists are experts in foot, ankle and lower limb health. They can help to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions including: ingrown toenails.

Should I go to a podiatrist or orthopedist?

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.

What does a podiatrist do for your feet?

Podiatrists provide a wide range of medical care for problems of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They diagnose and treat illnesses and perform surgery. Here are some conditions in which a podiatrist can help you get back on your feet.

What is a hand and foot doctor called?

Also known as hand and upper extremity surgeons, hand surgeons reduce or get rid of pain and restore hand movement and function. Healthcare facilities and hospitals typically have a team of hand surgeons and therapists who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries.

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.

What is the difference between orthopedic and Orthopaedic?

“Orthopaedics” is commonly regarded as the British and academic spelling of the term while “orthopedics” can be considered its Americanized version; however, you may see these spellings used interchangeably.

What are foot surgeons called?

podiatristsBoth podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons are qualified to treat foot and ankle conditions, surgically and non-surgically.

What are orthopedists?

Orthopedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in the musculoskeletal system - the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that are so essential to movement and everyday life.

What do podiatrists mean?

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. When treating patients, this system is also known as the lower extremity.

What diseases do podiatrists treat?

What Does a Podiatrist Do?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.Make flexible casts to hold foot and ankle injuries like sprains or fractures steady.More items...•

When should I see a podiatrist?

Let your podiatrist know if you have any symptoms of diabetic foot complications, like:dry or cracked skin.calluses or hard skin.cracked or dry toenails.discolored toenails.a bad foot smell.sharp or burning pain.tenderness.numbness or tingling.More items...

Should You See a Podiatrist or an Orthopedist?

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. Additionally, if you have been recommended to get foot or ankle surgery, see a podiatrist. While other orthopedic physicians may be able to perform such procedures, a podiatrist is a better expert than an orthopedic physician in terms of foot and ankle health, and when it comes to surgery, you should not take a chance on an inexperienced surgeon.

What is an orthopedic surgeon?

Orthopedic surgeons perform a variety of procedures to treat issues that cannot be treated through conservative treatments. Examples include fixing torn ligaments and replacing damaged joints. Another subfield an orthopedic doctor can specialize in is foot and ankle health. This type of doctor is called a podiatrist.

Which is better, a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon?

While other orthopedic physicians may be able to perform such procedures, a podiatrist is a better expert than an orthopedic physician in terms of foot and ankle health, and when it comes to surgery, you should not take a chance on an inexperienced surgeon.

What is the best doctor for ankle and foot pain?

Podiatrist. A podiatrist treats all types of orthopedic conditions and injuries that affect the foot and ankle. If you have a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or a sprained ankle, a podiatrist can treat it.

What is an orthopedist?

An orthopedist, also called an orthopedic doctor, is a specialist doctor who is an expert in diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system. This means, if you suffer an injury or have a condition that affects your muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues, ...

Can podiatrists do surgery?

By doing so, podiatrists can treat orthopedic issues that cannot be effectively treated using conservative treatments. Examples of procedures that podiatric surgeons perform are reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle, arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery, and Charcot foot and limb salvage.

Where can I get foot and ankle care in Cincinnati?

If you’re looking for the best foot and ankle care in Cincinnati, look no further than the experts at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care. We provide comprehensive care for all types of foot and ankle conditions and injuries using state-of-the-art treatments and procedures.

Are They Doctors?

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).

What to do if you have diabetes and deformities in your feet?

The first visit is often the time to treat bunions, ingrown toenails, heel and lower back pain, circulation in your feet if you have diabetes, and foot deformities. The podiatrist might suggest orthotics, padding, or physical therapy to treat your problems. They can treat some conditions in the office.

Why does my hammertoe bend?

That makes the toe bend toward the others. A hammertoe is one that doesn't bend the right way. Nail disorders. These include issues like an infection in your nail caused by a fungus or an ingrown toenail. That's when a corner or side of a nail grows into your toe instead of straight out. Diabetes.

What is a podiatric doctor?

Podiatrists are medical specialists who help with problems that affect your feet or lower legs. They can treat injuries as well as complications from ongoing health issues like diabetes. You might hear them called a podiatric physician or doctor of podiatric medicine.

What can a podiatrist do?

Podiatrists can do surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe drugs, and order lab tests or X-rays. They often work closely with other specialists when a problem affects your feet or lower legs. In the U.S., podiatrists are licensed and regulated by state governments.

What to expect at a podiatrist?

Your first visit to a podiatrist will be a lot like any other doctor. They’ll ask questions about your medical history, medications you’re on, or any surgeries you’ve had. They’ll look at how you stand and walk, check the range of motion in your joints, and see how your shoes fit.

What can a podiatrist do for arthritis?

A podiatrist might recommend physical therapy, drugs, or special shoes or inserts to help with your arthritis. Surgery also might be an option if other treatments don't work well for you. Growing pains. If your child's feet point inward or look flat or their toes don't line up right, a podiatrist might be able to help.

What causes osteomalacia in the body?

Osteomalacia is a bone disorder related to vitamin D deficiency. Crohn's disease causes decreased vitamin and mineral absorption that can lead to osteomalacia. Hypophosphatemia stimulates calcium movement from bone and prevents calcium uptake in the bone which can result in osteomalacia. Chronic kidney disease interferes with the synthesis of calcitriol, the most active metabolite of vitamin D, and can cause osteomalacia. Osteomalacia can be an adverse effect of barbiturate therapy. Estrogen agonist/antagonists increase bone density and are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause bone infection leading to osteomyelitis, rather than osteomalacia.

How to treat osteomyelitis with antibiotics?

Osteomyelitis wounds should be packed with beads made of bone cement impregnated with an antibiotic. This provides direct contact of the antibiotic with the offending organism. Wound irrigation can be done through the window of a cast to clean the wound. A portable device can administer a high concentration of oxygen by hyperbaric therapy, which increases tissue perfusion for patients with chronic unremitting osteomyelitis. Systemic antibiotics are administered for more than 3 months to control the infection. A clean technique is preferred over strict aseptic technique to change dressings for contaminated (dirty) wounds.

What does a BMD score mean?

The BMD test helps to compare the patient's bone density to a healthy 30-year-old adult's bone density. If the patient's BMD is equal to the control, then the T-score will be 0. A T score from -1 to -2.5 indicates osteopenia. A T-score lower than -2.5 indicates osteoporosis. The greater the negative number, the more severe osteoporosis would be.

How to prevent osteoporosis?

Walking for 30 minutes three to five times a week is the single most effective exercise for osteoporosis prevention. Walking is a safe way to promote weight-bearing and muscle strength. A variety of nutrients are needed to maintain bone health, so the promotion of a single nutrient will not prevent or treat osteoporosis. High-impact exercise and overtraining such as running may cause vertebral compression fractures and should be avoided. Calcium loss occurs at a more rapid rate when intake of phosphorus is high; people who drink large amounts of carbonated beverages each day (over 40 ounces) are at high risk for calcium loss and subsequent osteoporosis, regardless of age or gender.

What is the best treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis?

Oral bisphosphonates should be prescribed to the patients whose serum alkaline phosphotase levels are more than twice the normal range. Calcitonin is useful in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Calcium supplements do not regulate the alkaline phosphotase levels in serum. NSAIDS such as ibuprofen should be prescribed only in conditions of mild to moderate pain.

What foods are rich in vitamin D?

Milk, eggs, tofu, and liver are unfortified foods that are rich in vitamin D. Cheese derived from milk rarely contains vitamin D although it is rich in calcium. Cereals do not naturally contain high amounts of vitamin D. Commercially available cereals may be enriched (fortified) with vitamin D.

What is the pain in the right side of the kidney?

The formation of nephroliths (stones) in the kidney is called nephrolithiasis. It is characterized by severe, intermittent pain from the flank to the groin in the right side and is caused by calcium supplementation. Diverticulitis is the inflammation of diverticulum, especially in the colon, and is manifested as a similar pain, but on the left side. Appendicitis and pyelonephritis are associated with inflammation and are not a cause for pain in the flank to the groin.

What is the difference between somatic and dissociative disorders?

Dissociative disorders entail stress-related disruptions of memory, consciousness, or identity, whereas somatic system disorders involve the expression of psychologic stress through somatic symptoms. A nurse assesses a patient suspected to have complex somatic system disorder.

What does a patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder say?

A patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder says, "All the doctors and nurses in this hospital stop by often to check on me. Too bad people outside the hospital don' t find me interesting." Which nursing diagnosis is most relevant?

What is the meaning of "prominent health anxiety"?

Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis) A patient with a somatic symptom disorder has the nursing diagnosis: Interrupted family processes, related to patient's disabling symptoms as evidenced by spouse and children assuming roles and tasks that previously belonged to patient.

What are the causes of somatic system disorders?

The causes of somatic system disorders may be related to: faulty perceptions of body sensations.

What is a medical-surgical nurse?

A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder. Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably:

What does a depersonalization patient tell the nurse?

A patient with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse, "It's starting again. I feel as though I'm going to float away." The nurse should help the patient by:

What is the nursing intervention of high priority?

To assist a patient with a somatic system disorder, a nursing intervention of high priority is to: shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings. A nurse assessing a patient with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note that the patient: Has altered comfort and activity needs.

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