How Does a Podiatrist Spend a Workday?

Place of Employment

Podiatrists are in demand yet the United States has a shortage of them. As most of us are always racing from one place to the next in our daily lives, proper foot care becomes essential to our well-being. A typical day for a podiatrist consists of working at a medical clinic, a general hospital or a podiatrist hospital. Some podiatrists also may work at a long-term care facility or a military facility. A podiatrist who is in private practice is responsible for managing all aspects of a business. He has to hire his own employees, order needed supplies, keep medical reports and handle other tasks as needed. He also may participate in charity work in his community or in helping other less fortunate people in the world. He may specialize in surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics or geriatric care.

Responsibilites of a Podiatrist

A podiatrist treats diseases and medical conditions that affect the foot and lower leg. A podiatrist will help his patients prevent diseases and deformities of the feet. He will treat different conditions which include corns, ingrown toenails, skin diseases that affect the foot, toe deformities, infections, fallen arches, heel spurs and bunions. He also plays an important part in helping older people stay mobile, thus allowing them to keep their independence as long as possible. Usually, he will meet with a patient in an examining room and obtain a thorough medical history. He will ask the patient about past medical problems and those of the patient's family.

Diagnosis and Treatments

A podiatrist may order X-rays if he suspects an abnormality or a fracture. He may set an ankle or foot fracture to immobilize the injury. He may provide a flexible cast for ankle and foot sprains. He also will use corrective shoe inserts (orthotics). In this procedure, a patient will be required to walk across a force plate so that a computer can relay information such as the pressure points and the weight distribution in the feet. A podiatrist will recommend a certain shoe insert to correct the problem. He also may prescribe medications, corrective shoes or physical therapy to treat an ailment. He may prescribe devices that can help a patient walk or that can assist in balance.To diagnose a medical condition that is affecting the foot, the podiatrist may order X-rays or laboratory blood tests. The feet may be showing warning signs or symptoms of other medical conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy, pinched nerves and heart disease. Diabetics must always pay special attention to their feet because they are more likely to suffer from foot ulcers and serious infections because they lack proper circulation. A podiatrist may refer patients to other physicians such as a dermatologist, cardiologist or a pediatrician. Surgical procedures that are minor can be done in his office but major surgeries require a hospital visit. A podiatrist cannot amputate feet or toes nor can they give a patient general anesthesia. They are only permitted to use non-surgical treatments when dealing with injuries that affect the leg muscle or tendon.