Podiatrists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, and perform surgery involving the lower extremities.

What do Podiatrists do?

Podiatrists typically do the following:

• Assess the condition of a patients feet, ankles, or lower legs by reviewing the patients medical history, listening to his or her concerns, and performing a physical examination
• Diagnose foot, ankle, and lower leg problems through physical exams, x rays, medical laboratory tests, and other methods
• Provide treatment for foot, ankle, and lower leg ailments, such as prescribing special shoe inserts (orthotics) to improve a patients mobility
• Perform foot and ankle surgeries, such as removing bone spurs, fracture repairs, and correcting other foot and ankle deformities
• Advise and instruct patients on foot and ankle care and on general wellness techniques
• Prescribe medications
• Coordinate patient care with other physicians
• Refer patients to other physicians or specialists if they detect larger health problems, such as diabetes or vascular disease
• Conduct research, read journals, and attend conferences to keep up with advances in podiatric medicine and surgery

Podiatrists treat a variety of foot and ankle ailments, including calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, arthritis, congenital foot and ankle deformities, and arch problems. They also treat foot and leg problems associated with diabetes and other diseases. Some podiatrists spend most of their time performing surgery, such as foot and ankle reconstruction. Others may choose a specialty such as sports medicine, pediatrics, or diabetic foot care.

Podiatrists who own their practice may spend time on business-related activities, such as hiring employees and managing inventory.