FAQ: What Doctor To See For Foot Pain?

Do I need a podiatrist or an orthopedist?

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 you see a doctor for foot pain?

You should make a doctor’s appointment after a foot injury if: you feel pain in your foot for most of the day and it’s been a few weeks since your injury. you have swelling that isn’t getting better two to five days after your injury. you feel tingling, numbness, or burning pain—especially in the bottom of your foot.

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.

What do you call a foot specialist?

Podiatrists are medical specialists who help with problems that affect your feet or lower legs. They can treat injuries as well as complications from ongoing health issues like diabetes. You might hear them called a podiatric physician or doctor of podiatric medicine.

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.

Can a podiatrist help with foot pain?

Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who have been trained to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They also prevent and correct deformity, keep people mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections.

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).

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.

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.

When should you see an orthopedist?

Broken bones, compression fractures, stress fractures, dislocations, muscle injury, and tendon tears or ruptures are common reasons people visit orthopedic doctors. Athletes will often work with orthopedists to help prevent future injury and optimize performance.

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.

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.

Do podiatrists cut toenails?

In most cases, yes; they regularly assist patients with toenail care. While cutting toenails may seem like a simple matter of grooming, there are actually many patients who have problems with their toenails or feet that prevent them from cutting them without professional help.

What is the difference between podiatrist and chiropodist?

Podiatrists and chiropodists are both medical professionals specialised in the treatment of the lower limb. The difference between the names is geographical. While chiropodist describes foot specialists in the UK and Ireland, podiatrist originates in the United States and is more internationally recognised.