Quick Answer: Who Handles Foot Pain?

What kind of doctor do I see for foot pain?

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 and fractures, bunions, heel pain /spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses.

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.

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 is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedist?

Orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists work side by side in hospitals and in the same group practices. The main difference lies in the body systems they treat. Orthopedic surgeons are concerned with bones, muscles, ligaments and joints throughout the body. Podiatrists are foot and ankle doctors and surgeons.

When is foot pain serious?

Seek immediate medical attention if you: Have severe pain or swelling. Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus. 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) 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 causes foot pain that moves around?

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 causes throbbing pain in foot?

Trauma or injury is a common cause of foot pain. Even everyday situations, such as overuse or poorly fitting shoes can lead to temporary, acute pain in the feet. Foot pain can be described as sharp, stabbing, dull or throbbing.

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 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.

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.

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.

Do podiatrists treat plantar fasciitis?

The pain of plantar fasciitis can sometimes be confused with heel spurs or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your podiatrist can provide the correct diagnosis for any foot pain you are suffering.

Are podiatrist real doctors?

Podiatrists are defined as physicians by the federal government. A DPM is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lower extremity disorders, diseases and injuries.

Can podiatrist perform surgery?

Podiatrists can do surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe drugs, and order lab tests or X-rays. They often work closely with other specialists when a problem affects your feet or lower legs. In the U.S., podiatrists are licensed and regulated by state governments.