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Podiatry

family_of_feet.jpgPodiatry or podiatric medicine and surgery is devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and the "anatomical leg" (i.e. below, and not including, the knee).

From in office care to surgical treatments, the Mid Dakota Clinic Foot & Ankle Clinic is equipped to handle all of your podiatric needs. Our team of podiatric specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with your feet.

What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist, also called a doctor of podiatric medicine, is a specialist who provides medical diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems, including, but not limited to sprains, fractures, bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses. In addition to undergraduate schooling, podiatrists attend podiatric medical school for their doctorate degree and must complete continued medical and surgical training in residency. Podiatrists are required to take state and national exams, as well as be licensed by the state in which they practice.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, there are more than 17,800 practicing podiatrists in the United States. Podiatrists are in demand more than ever today because of a rapidly aging population. In addition, according to the association, foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country.

Typically, podiatrists:
  • Consult with the patient and other physicians on how to prevent foot problems.
  • Diagnose and treat injuries, wounds, infections, fractures, skin and nail diseases, heel pain, flat feet, arthritic pain, as well as deformities of the foot and ankle
  • Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as bunions, clawtoes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, fractures, ruptured Achilles, and other ligaments and tendons.
  • Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as x-ray, ultrasound, and lab tests.
  • Prescribes or fit patients with inserts called orthotics that correct walking patterns.
Useful links:
American Podiatric Medical Association
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
www.foothealthfacts.org

When to Call a Podiatrist
  1. You have persistent pain in your feet or ankles.
  2. You have noticeable change to your nails or skin.
  3. Your feet are severely cracking, scaling, or peeling.
  4. There are blisters on your feet.
  5. There are signs of bacterial infection, including but not limited to the following:
    • Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, or heat.
    • Red streaks extending from the affected area.
    • Discharge of pus.
    • Fever of 100°F (37.78°C) or higher with no other cause.
    • Symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment with a non-prescription product.
    • Spreading of the infection to other areas, such as the nail bed, or skin under the nail, the nail itself, or the surrounding skin.
  6. Your toenail is getting thicker and causing you discomfort.
  7. You have heel pain accompanied by a fever, redness (sometimes warmth) or numbness or tingling in your heel, or persistent pain without putting any weight or pressure on your heel, or the pain is not alleviated by ice, aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  8. You have diabetes or certain diseases associated with poor circulation and you develop athlete's foot. People with diabetes are at increased risk for a severe bacterial infection of the foot and leg if they have athlete's foot.
 

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