What Does a Podiatrist Do? Your Guide to Foot and Ankle Specialists
When something's wrong with your foot or ankle, the first question is usually: who do I see for this? Your primary care doctor? An orthopedist? A podiatrist? The answer most often is a podiatrist — but most people aren't entirely sure what that means.
Podiatrists are medical specialists dedicated to the lower extremity. They're the foot and ankle experts who diagnose conditions general practitioners might miss, perform procedures most other doctors don't, and provide preventive care that keeps small problems from becoming big ones. Here's what a podiatrist actually does, what their training involves, and when you should book an appointment.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — a physician and surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists are licensed medical doctors with prescribing authority, and many perform surgery in hospital and outpatient settings.
The "DPM" credential is equivalent in scope to an MD's training within the lower extremity specialty. Podiatrists complete four years of podiatric medical school after earning a bachelor's degree, followed by three years of hospital-based residency. Many also pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties like sports medicine, surgery, diabetes care, or pediatric podiatry.
What Conditions Do Podiatrists Treat?
A podiatrist's scope is broad — essentially any condition affecting the foot, ankle, or related structures. Common reasons patients seek podiatry services include:
Common Foot Conditions
Bunions and hammertoes
Athlete's foot, plantar warts, and other skin conditions
Flat feet and high arches
Achilles tendon problems
Sports and Activity-Related Injuries
Sprains and strains of the foot or ankle
Stress fractures
Overuse injuries from running, hiking, climbing
Athletic performance optimization through orthotics and biomechanical analysis
Chronic and Systemic Conditions
Diabetic foot care and ulcer prevention
Arthritis affecting the foot or ankle
Peripheral neuropathy
Vascular and circulatory issues affecting the lower extremity
Wound care for non-healing ulcers
Pediatric and Geriatric Foot Issues
Congenital foot conditions in children (clubfoot, flat feet, in-toeing)
Geriatric foot care and fall prevention
Custom orthotics across the lifespan
What Happens During a Podiatry Appointment?
A typical podiatry visit includes:
Detailed history. Your podiatrist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, activity level, footwear, and any prior foot or ankle issues.
Physical examination. A hands-on exam of the feet, ankles, and sometimes the lower legs to assess range of motion, strength, sensation, and structural alignment.
Gait analysis. For many conditions, watching how you walk reveals biomechanical patterns that contribute to your symptoms. Some practices use computerized force plates or pressure mapping for detailed analysis.
Diagnostic imaging. Many podiatry offices have in-house X-ray, ultrasound, or both. MRI and CT scans may be ordered when more detail is needed.
Treatment plan discussion. Your podiatrist will explain what's going on, present treatment options, and answer questions about what to expect.
How Podiatrists Treat Patients
Podiatrists offer a wide range of treatment approaches, from conservative care to surgical intervention:
Non-Surgical Treatments
Custom orthotic devices
Prescription medications, including anti-inflammatories, antifungals, and antibiotics
Cortisone and other therapeutic injections
Physical therapy referrals and exercise programs
Wound care and ulcer management
Nail and skin treatments performed in-office
Footwear recommendations and modifications
Strapping, padding, and bracing
Surgical Treatments
Bunion correction (including modern Lapiplasty procedures)
Hammertoe correction
Heel spur and plantar fascia surgery
Achilles tendon repair
Bone fracture fixation
Neuroma excision
Reconstructive surgery for complex deformities
Diabetic foot procedures
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
Schedule a podiatry appointment when you're experiencing:
Foot or ankle pain that lasts more than a few days
Swelling that doesn't resolve with rest and elevation
Visible changes in the structure or appearance of your foot
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
Skin or nail changes that concern you
Wounds that aren't healing
Difficulty walking or running normally
Recurring foot or ankle injuries
For patients with diabetes, annual podiatry visits are recommended even without symptoms. Regular professional foot care helps catch problems before they become serious complications.
Podiatrist vs. Other Foot Specialists
Several types of medical professionals work with the lower extremity, and the differences sometimes confuse patients:
Podiatrist (DPM): Specializes exclusively in foot, ankle, and lower extremity care. Trained in both surgical and non-surgical management of these areas.
Orthopedic surgeon (MD/DO): Treats the entire musculoskeletal system. May subspecialize in foot and ankle, but generally focuses on surgical care across the body.
Pedorthist: Specialist in fitting therapeutic footwear and orthotics, but not a physician — works under prescription from a doctor.
Podologist (in some countries): Performs nail and skin foot care, but doesn't have the medical training of a podiatrist.
In the United States, "podiatrist" and "Doctor of Podiatric Medicine" are the standard terms for foot and ankle specialists.
What Sets a Specialty Practice Apart
Beyond credentials, look for podiatrists who:
Take time to explain your condition and treatment options
Offer a range of treatment approaches, not just one solution for every problem
Have experience treating patients similar to you (athletes, diabetics, older adults, etc.)
Can perform diagnostic imaging in-house when possible
Are part of a practice with consistent, ongoing care
Foot Care for Active Coloradans
At Table Mountain Foot and Ankle, our podiatrists serve patients across Wheat Ridge, Boulder, and the broader Front Range. We specialize in care that supports the active lifestyle that brought most of us to Colorado in the first place — from trail runners and climbers to retirees who want to keep up with their grandkids without foot pain holding them back.
Whether you're dealing with a specific concern or just want a baseline foot health evaluation, the right podiatrist makes a significant difference in your comfort, mobility, and long-term joint health.
Schedule an appointment with the TMFA team — steady care at every elevation, for every stage of life.
