Due to the popularity surrounding other medical fields, there are tons of practices that people are not familiar with.  In the case of podiatrists, most people have no idea what podiatrists are let alone what they do.

So, to help you get more familiar with podiatrists in general, we’ve prepared a guide detailing various podiatry services.  In addition, we’ve also included various resources relating to medical services, traditional physicians, and other related matters.

Breaking Down Podiatrist Services

Toenail repair

Podiatrists, or “foot doctors” as they are more commonly known, specialize in treating all manner of foot-related medical issues.  Most people that seek out a podiatrist often do so with the intent to have their toenails treated.

Overall, these physicians treat a wide array of issues ranging from toenail fungus and ingrown nails to abnormal growths and damaged cuticles.  Treatments can range from non-surgical topical ointments to minor surgical procedures.

Given the amount of discomfort presented by hurt or damaged toes or toenails, many podiatrists will make use of topical and local anesthetics.  Along with this, they may also make use of heated tools or acidic substances to cauterize tissue and stem bleeding.

Sprains/Breaks

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer a broken toe from a gym mishap or an outdoor excursion, a podiatrist can also offer medical help.  Left untreated, a broken or fractured bone in the feet can cause deformities, arthritis, limited range of motion, and intense chronic pain.

Being well aware of this, podiatrists employ a number of helpful treatments to ensure proper healing and minimize health risks in the future.  These treatments include medication, toe splints, rigid boots, and even surgery.

Physical Therapy/Minor Surgery

To ensure continued healing and proper recovery, podiatrists will sometimes encourage patients to take up physical therapy and pain-relieving exercises.   As mentioned earlier, podiatrists can perform a number of basic surgical procedures.

These procedures include ingrown toenail extraction, corn removal, toenail trimming, and surgical bone realignment.  Though they do have the means to perform these surgeries, most podiatrists will opt for non-invasive treatments so long as they remain feasible.

Medical prescriptions

Last but certainly not least, podiatrists are certified to provide repeat prescriptions to patients as needed.  These prescriptions can range from basic antibiotics to antifungal creams and even high-strength pain relievers.

Though most general physicians can also prescribe similar medications, podiatrists are better equipped to recommend medication.  This is mainly due to their intricate understanding of foot-related anatomy, and health conditions.

While podiatrists do offer many other services, we feel those listed above do a good job of providing a general understanding of a podiatrist’s capabilities.  Now that you’re armed with this knowledge you should have an easier time deciding whether you need to visit a podiatrist.

We sincerely hope that this guide and the resources in it can be of some help to you as you seek out medical services.