Quick Answer: What Doctor Should I See For Foot Pain?

Should I see a podiatrist or orthopedist for foot pain?

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.

When should I see a podiatrist for foot pain?

If you have any issues that involve the foot and or ankle—a sports injury, arthritis/joint pain, skin problems, etc. —a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.

When should I see a podiatrist or orthopedist?

Specific to problems in the extremities, orthopedists may turn their attention to the underlying bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons. The majority of those who experience foot and ankle disorders usually opt to see podiatrists for their initial care.

You might be interested:  Top Of Foot And Ankle Pain When Walking?

Does an orthopedic doctor treat foot pain?

Both podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons are qualified to treat foot and ankle conditions, surgically and non-surgically. In general, the best bet is to choose the doctor you feel the most comfortable with, or who has the most experience treating your particular condition.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

  1. Have severe pain or swelling.
  2. Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus.
  3. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C)
  4. Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot.

Should I see my primary doctor for foot pain?

If you regularly experience sore, tired, aching or swollen feet, it may be time to see a doctor. Foot pain may be caused by a variety of factors from arthritis to poorly fitting shoes to plantar fasciitis. Sometimes foot pain can indicate an underlying medical condition like diabetes that needs to be addressed.

What is foot pain a sign of?

Injury, overuse or conditions causing inflammation involving any of the bones, ligaments or tendons in the foot can cause foot pain. Arthritis is a common cause of foot pain. Injury to the nerves of the feet may result in intense burning pain, numbness or tingling (peripheral neuropathy).

What will a podiatrist do for foot pain?

Podiatrists are experts at treating sprains, strains, and broken bones in the foot or the ankle. They can diagnose your injury and suggest treatment. A podiatrist can also create a flexible cast to help the area heal.

You might be interested:  Pain In Bicep When Extending Arm?

What does a podiatrist do on first visit?

On your first visit, the podiatrist will obtain a thorough medical history to help identify possible areas of concern that may lead to or worsen foot and leg problems. Be prepared with any important medical records and information on the following: Current medical problems, medications and allergies. Past surgeries.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and a foot and ankle specialist?

The primary and most important difference is the level of training each completes. Altogether, a foot and ankle surgeon will have 10+ years of training. Podiatrists attend podiatry school for four years followed by a 2-3 year residency. Altogether, a podiatrist will have 6-7 years of training.

What conditions can Podiatrists treat?

Podiatrists treat people of any age for many foot-related conditions, including:

  • Fractures and sprains. Podiatrists regularly treat these common injuries when they affect a foot or ankle.
  • Bunions and hammertoes.
  • Diabetes.
  • Arthritis.
  • Growing pains.
  • Heel pain.
  • Morton’s neuroma.

Can an orthopedic doctor treat plantar fasciitis?

An orthopedic specialist may be able to offer valuable insight into treatment options, especially if your plantar fasciitis is severe or there are other underlying problems with your joints and tissues.

How do you know if you have a bone spur in your foot?

What are the symptoms? Bone spurs in the foot do not always cause symptoms. If a tarsal boss or toe spur does lead to pain, it’s usually from the pressure of wearing a shoe or rubbing against any other surface. Symptoms tend to begin as an aching or soreness on the top of the midfoot or in any of the toes.

You might be interested:  Who Pays For Pain And Suffering In A Car Accident?

What do orthopedic doctors treat?

Orthopaedic surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Some orthopaedists are generalists, while others specialize in certain areas of the body, such as: Hip and knee. Foot and ankle.

What is a foot DR?

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *