What is a Podiatrist?
A Podiatrist is a type of doctor who specializes in the treatment of foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. People see Podiatrists for a variety of reasons ranging from ingrown toenails to more serious conditions resulting from diabetes.
Podiatrists recommend you visit a Podiatry office when you are suffering from problems of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. This is because Podiatrists specialize in this field and are professionally trained to handle a large list of these related problems.
Wound Care
Aside from the minor conditions such as bunion and wart removals, Podiatrists are also highly-trained to handle serious wound care. People might be wondering why this is would be necessary to see a Podiatrist over a general doctor. There are a variety of reasons why you should see a Podiatrist for Wound Care.
Reasons to See a Podiatrist for Wound Care
1. A Podiatrist is specifically trained to treat the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. Much like a gymnast only trains to be a gymnast and a football player only trains to be a football player, Podiatrists go to years of school to learn specifically about these areas. The benefit to this is they will be the best person to answer questions and provide treatment.
2. In urgent situations, a Podiatrist is called for a foot or ankle problem. For certain situations where treatment for these extremities are needed right away, your best bet is to visit a specialist for it. They will know exactly how to treat the wound and the best method as well.
3. As we now know, Podiatrists exclusively treat foot and ankle conditions. This means it’ll be easier for you to get a referral to a Podiatrist when the need arises.
4. Podiatrists are specialists, and the benefit of being treated by a specialist is they have been trained for years in that area of work. They have the most education and training specific to the foot and ankle and undergo the most rigorous, comprehensive certification process of any specialist.
5. Podiatrists are also able to administer medication and order tests. For a patient, this is especially helpful when being treated for a persisting issue or urgent care. Instead of being moved around to different specialists, all of your work is being done by the Podiatrist.
6. Podiatrists are just like other doctors, meaning they have the depth of training to prescribe the proper treatment and device for your foot condition.
7. A podiatrist is also trained to perform surgery. The problem is in most areas of the foot and ankle, and the skin is very close to the bone. What makes this complicated is for diabetics or people with poor circulation especially, it is very easy to get an infection that goes into the bone. Podiatrists have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the foot and ankle, as well as the ability to treat wounds and delegate to a wound care center if needed.
When to See a Podiatrist for Wound Care
By now you know that Podiatrists are your best option for all conditions related to the foot and ankle. However, you might not know when to actually see a Podiatrist for wound care. While there isn’t one right answer to these questions, you can keep an eye out for reoccurring symptoms, as well as make an appointment with a Podiatrist if you are worried about an ongoing problem.