Podiatry

What is podiatry?

A podiatrist, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is a physician who is specialized in caring for the foot, ankle and leg. Most podiatrists are also trained and certified to perform surgery in these areas as well.

What foot conditions do you treat?

Podiatrists are educated on a wide variety of conditions in their area of expertise, which allows them to provide comprehensive care. Some of the most common foot conditions we treat at OAA include:

• Tendonitis, or inflammation of a tendon in your foot. This can cause pain in multiple places, including the Achilles heel, ankle and calf.
• Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia in your foot, which can cause serious heel pain.
• Flatfoot, a condition in which the sole of your foot has no arch and touches the floor.
• Haglund's deformity, a bony growth at the back of your heel which can cause bursitis and lead to pain.
• Toe deformities, which can cause pain and difficulty walking.
• Hammertoe, an abnormal curve in the joints of each toe.
• Posterior tibial dysfunction, during which a tendon in your foot is no longer able to support your arch.
• Sesamoiditis, a condition causing serious pain in the ball of your foot near your big toe.
• Infections of the foot, which can be the underlying cause of a number of foot conditions.
• Hallux limitus, an early stage of osteoarthritis during which your big toe becomes difficult to move.

Can you treat skin conditions and growths on my foot?

Yes, podiatrists are also trained to diagnose and treat a number of surface-level conditions on your foot. Some of the most common of these include:

• Allergic contact dermatitis, an immune reaction to an allergen on your foot, usually in the form of a rash.
• Athlete's foot, a common fungal infection that occurs between the toes.
• Bunions, bumps that can form on the base of your big toe due to arthritis or ill-fitting shoes.
• Calluses and corns, thick layers of skin that build up on your feet due to friction over time.
• Ganglions, swollen cysts in the joints on the tops of your feet.
• Ingrown toenails, during which your toenail grows into the skin and flesh of your toe.
• Nail fungus, which can grow and become itchy or uncomfortable.
• Warts, which often appear on the heel or the ball of your foot.

What other foot care services can you provide?

The podiatrists at OAA’s podiatry center are equipped to provide care for a multitude of specific circumstances, including:

• Diabetic foot care
• Pediatric foot care
• Wound care
• Care for osteoarthritis in the foot
• Injury care, including for strains and sprains

At OAA, we also offer radial shockwave therapy to treat certain conditions of the foot and ankle. This cutting-edge therapy involves the use of a handpiece that generates mechanical pressure waves. It is used to treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including tendonitis and chronic inflammation. 

Why is visiting a podiatry specialist important?

Healthy feet are essential to your quality of life -- when your feet are in pain, getting around for your daily tasks can become a struggle. Choosing a specialist makes a world of a difference. Our board-certified podiatrists have been trained specifically and extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all foot conditions. While your primary care physician is capable of providing a wide range of care, a podiatry specialist is trained to diagnose specific concerns in your feet, and to offer the treatment you need.