A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and structures of the lower leg. They complete 4 years of podiatric medical school plus 3 years of surgical residency training, the same structure as most medical specialties.
If it's below the knee and causing problems, a podiatrist is likely the right first call.
What Conditions Do Podiatrists Treat?
The full scope is broader than most people realize. Podiatrists treat:
Heel and arch conditions
- Plantar fasciitis — the most common cause of heel pain
- Heel spurs — calcium deposits that develop alongside plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis — inflammation of the tendon connecting calf to heel
- Flat feet and high arches — biomechanical conditions affecting the entire lower body
Toe and forefoot conditions
- Bunions — progressive deformity of the big toe joint
- Hammertoes — contractures of the lesser toes
- Ingrown toenails — including surgical correction
- Neuromas — nerve compression causing burning pain in the ball of the foot
- Corns and calluses
Ankle and lower leg conditions
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Stress fractures
- Ankle arthritis
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Systemic conditions affecting the feet
- Diabetic foot care — including wound care and ulcer prevention
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Gout
- Rheumatoid arthritis affecting foot joints
Podiatrist vs. orthopedic surgeon: Both treat foot and ankle conditions. Podiatrists specialize exclusively in this area and handle the full spectrum from conservative care to surgery. Orthopedic surgeons cover the entire musculoskeletal system. For most foot and ankle conditions, a podiatrist is the more appropriate specialist — they do more foot surgeries annually and have more focused training in this area.
What Treatments Can Podiatrists Provide?
Podiatrists are trained in both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical treatments:
Conservative treatments
- Custom orthotics — prescription shoe inserts designed from a mold of your foot
- Corticosteroid injections — for plantar fasciitis, neuromas, bursitis
- Physical therapy prescriptions and exercises
- Shockwave therapy — for chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis
- Taping, bracing, and padding
- Nail procedures — including ingrown toenail removal
- Wound care — especially for diabetic foot ulcers
Surgical treatments
- Bunionectomy — correction of bunion deformity
- Hammertoe correction
- Plantar fascia release
- Ankle stabilization
- Bone fracture repair
- Achilles tendon repair
- Joint fusion and replacement
DPM vs. MD: What's the Difference?
A DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) and an MD (Doctor of Medicine) follow similar educational paths but with different specializations. A podiatrist completes:
- 4 years of undergraduate education
- 4 years of podiatric medical school (covering the same basic sciences as MD programs)
- 3-year surgical residency focused entirely on foot and ankle
- Board certification through the American Board of Podiatric Medicine or the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
For foot and ankle conditions, the DPM designation is actually a mark of deeper specialization — a podiatrist has spent their entire residency on this one area, while an orthopedic surgeon splits their training across the entire skeleton.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
You don't need a referral to see a podiatrist in most states — you can book directly. Consider making an appointment if:
- Foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2 weeks without improvement
- Pain is severe enough to affect your gait or daily activity
- You have diabetes and any foot problem, however minor — don't wait
- You have a structural concern like a bunion, hammertoe, or flat feet causing symptoms
- You've had a foot or ankle injury
- A wound on your foot isn't healing
- You're a runner or athlete with recurring foot or ankle injuries
Diabetic patients: See a podiatrist for annual preventive care regardless of whether you have foot problems. Medicare covers this exam every 6 months for patients with peripheral neuropathy or vascular disease. Don't skip it.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
A first podiatry visit typically runs 30-45 minutes and includes:
- Medical history — current medications, systemic conditions, previous foot problems
- Gait analysis — watching how you walk to identify biomechanical patterns contributing to your condition
- Physical examination — assessing range of motion, strength, sensation, and circulation
- Imaging if needed — many podiatry offices have in-office X-ray; MRI or CT scan may be ordered
- Treatment plan — most podiatrists start with conservative options before considering surgery
Bring any previous imaging, a list of current medications, and wear or bring the shoes you wear most often. The shoes are often informative.
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Does Insurance Cover Podiatry?
Most insurance plans — including Medicare — cover podiatry for medically necessary conditions. Routine cosmetic foot care (nail trimming without a qualifying systemic condition) is generally not covered. If you have Medicare and diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or vascular disease, you have additional coverage rights including preventive foot exams.
For a full breakdown of what Medicare covers, see our guide: Does Medicare Cover Podiatry in 2026?