| 1. What is a Podiatrist? |
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| A podiatrist, DPM, doctor of podiatric medicine, is the only health care professional whose total training focuses on the foot, ankle and related body systems. As a specialist in foot care, the podiatrist receives extensive training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot and ankle disorders by medical and surgical means. After obtaining an undergraduate degree, the podiatric doctor spends four years in a college of podiatric medicine to obtain a doctorate degree. Many podiatrists further their education by participating in a post-graduate residency program at an approved hospital or university. Following their doctorate degree, each podiatrist must pass national and state examinations in order to be licensed by the state in which he or she will practice.
The podiatric physician cares for people of all ages, treating any foot problem. The common disorders include bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses. The podiatric physician also renders care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel. If your podiatric surgeon is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, he or she has successfully completed a credentialing and examination process and has demonstrated knowledge of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of general medical problems and surgical management of foot diseases, deformities, and trauma of the foot, ankle and related structures. |
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| 2. My toe is red and swollen and extremely painful. I think I have an ingrown toe nail. What can be done about it? |
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| Some ingrown toenails can be treated conservatively but long standing or infected ingrown toenails need to be surgically removed and the root of the side of the nail sterilized to prevent regrowth. This is the most commonly performed office procedure. |
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| 3. I have a hard place on the bottom of my foot. Someone told me it was a plantars wart. How does the doctor treat this? |
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| First, we must make sure it is a wart (caused by a virus) and not a callus or hyperkeratosis. They all look similar. Plantar warts are treated with mild chemical cautery, strong cautery and surgical excision. Recurrent and long standing warts may require several alternative procedures. |
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| 4. I have an extremely painful heel, and can't even walk. Is there anything the doctor can do for this? |
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| Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are the most common conditions we treat. Conservative care consisting of cortisone injections, foot wrappings, oral medicines and orthotics relieve 95% to 98% of our patients without the need for surgery. |
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| 5. I have thick and disgusting toenails that can be quite embarrassing. Is there any treatment for this condition? |
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| Fungus toenails can be treated with new oral medications with a high success rate. Traumatized nails often need surgical removal with sterilization of the root to prevent regrowth. |
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| 6. Several of my toes on each foot seem to be drawn up with resultant painful corns, rubbing on my shoes. What can I do? |
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| Cocked up toes are called hammertoes and they are usually hereditary and not caused by shoes. Sometimes conservative care such as a change in shoe gear with more toe space and the use of corn pads provide relief. Severe cases require outpatient surgical correction of the toes. |
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| 7. I have knots on both feet near my big toe, that stick out and cause rubbing on my shoes which causes then to become red and painful. What can actually be done to correct the problem? |
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| Bunions are hereditary and developmental. They get worse over time. Wider shoes will lessen the symptoms but the ultimate cure is surgery, done as an out patient. |
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| 8. I have terrible athletes foot. I have tried every over the counter medication with no success. Is there anything the doctor can do to help me with this problem? |
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| Over the counter creams such as Micatin and Lotrimin are usually successful. If not the doctor can prescribe alternative topical medications and oral medications. Also be aware that you may have something other than athletes foot. |
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| 9. I have a sore between my baby toe and the next one that is extremely painful. I tried some over the counter remover, but it seemed to make the situation worse. What can the doctor do to relieve this pain and correct the problem? |
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| Heloma molle (or soft corn) is due to rubbing of adjacent bones. Try putting a foam separator between the toes to cushion them. Usually out patient surgical removal of the bone spurs is in order. |
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| 10. I tripped and fell on my steps. I heard a loud pop and now my ankle is swelling up and is extremely painful. What should I do until I can get to your office to see the doctor? |
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| RICE treatment. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Office follow up will involve x rays and some type of support, either a hard cast or a flexible cast as well as oral anti-flammatory medications. |
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| 11. I have a terribly swollen red and painful, big toe joint. I don't remember hitting or injuring it in any way. What can I do? |
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| There is a strong possibility you have gout. A uric acid blood test needs to be performed as soon as possible. Treatment aims to reduce the inflammation. |
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