Podiatrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat medical and surgical problems and injuries of the feet and ankles, such as corns, warts, plantar fasciitis, bunions, or hammer toes. They also perform reconstructive surgery.
Podiatrists provide extended care for people who need it, such as those who have foot problems caused by diabetes.
A podiatrist completes a degree at a college of podiatric medicine after undergraduate college. After receiving his or her podiatry degree, a podiatrist typically spends time in a hospital-based residency program.
Podiatrists can be board-certified through the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. Certification is not required in every state.
Current as of: January 14, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Gavin W. G. Chalmers, DPM, FACFAS – Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery