What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Podiatrists complete four years of podiatric medical school followed by hospital residency training, and they treat everything from ingrown toenails to complex foot surgery.
Your feet contain a quarter of all the bones in your body, and they carry you an average of over 100,000 miles in a lifetime. When something goes wrong down there, it affects how you walk, stand, exercise, and sleep, which is why foot problems deserve specialist care rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Signs it's time to make an appointment
Pain that lasts more than a few days is the clearest signal. Feet are durable, but persistent pain in the heel, arch, ball of the foot, or ankle usually means something is being injured over and over with each step, and it rarely resolves on its own.
Other reasons to call: numbness, burning, or tingling (possible nerve involvement); a toenail that is thickened, discolored, or growing into the skin; skin changes like persistent calluses, warts, or a mole on the foot; swelling in one foot but not the other; or any foot wound that is slow to heal, especially if you have diabetes.
Don't wait until it's unbearable
Most foot conditions are far easier to treat early. A mild case of plantar fasciitis may resolve with stretching and an orthotic; a neglected one can take months. If your feet are telling you something, call our Dyker Heights office at (718) 232-2100. Dr. Kauderer has been listening to feet for 30 years.
Questions about your own health?
This guide is general education, not a diagnosis. For advice about your feet or your smile, come see us in Dyker Heights.
Call (718) 232-2100