A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who specializes in diagnosing and treating foot, toe, and ankle problems, including skin and toenail issues to infections, sprains, fractures, sports injuries, deformities, disorders, and diseases. After undergraduate medical school training, a podiatrist must earn doctorate of podiatric medicine (DPM), pass state and national tests, and secure a state license to practice podiatry. In the United States, there are about 15,000 podiatrists; as life spans increase and the aging population grows, podiatrists are in demand to treat foot problems that develop with aging.
Podiatrists provide the following medical services to patients to maintain healthy feet, toes, and lower legs: education on proper hygiene, care, and exercise; diagnoses and treatments for pain, deformities, injuries, diseases, and disorders; surgeries to correct problems; prescriptions for appropriate therapy and diagnostic procedures; prescribe and fit orthotics; and consult with other doctors or specialists to provide patients with a collaborative approach to health care.