Podiatry

Podiatrists in Bronx & Westchester NY

A podiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of your ankles and feet. A complicated structure of bones, muscles and tough tissues, the human foot requires tender care when something goes wrong. Your foot contains 26 separate bones — fully 25 percent of the bones in the human body. Your foot also has 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Somehow, they all work together to keep you mobile.

So you shouldn’t be surprised that a podiatrist has to spend a long time studying such a complex body part. While you can discuss your foot pain with your family doctor, if the problem appears serious, any general practitioner will refer you to a qualified podiatrist for specialized treatment.

Specialists in treating foot issues

As a foot and ankle specialist, your local podiatrist can treat a broad range of conditions — and there are a broad range of maladies and illnesses that your feet may suffer from. These conditions include skin diseases, structural defects, injuries, normal wear and tear, and problems with your toenails. Although extensive, the list below shouldn’t be considered complete:

• Aching feet and legs
• Arch or ankle pain
• Athlete’s foot, fungal toenails or fungus
• Shin Splints
• Cracked heels
• Bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa sacs cushioning the joint of your big toe
• Blisters, calluses, bunions, corns, hammertoes or bone spurs
• High arches or flat feet
• In-toe (pigeon toe) or out-toe gait
• Sports injuries, running injuries, shin pain or shin splints
• Posterior tibial tendonitis, which is inflammation or a tear of your tendon, condition common to runners
• Diabetes, a serious medical condition stemming from excessive glucose in your blood; it can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage in your feet
• Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition of your bones due to normal wear and tear
• Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease often affecting your feet
• Gout, which is a buildup of uric acid crystals in your joints, most commonly in your big toe
• Neuromas, or pinched nerves
• Sciatica, which is lower back pain caused by a pinched nerve
• Metatarsalgia, pain on the ball of your foot
• Osgood Schlatter’s Disease, which is knee pain that occurs in active children
• Sever’s Disease, a painful heel bone disorder common to children during a growth spurt
• Plantar fasciitis, which is heel pain due to the inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot between your heel and toes
• Plantar fasciosis, heel pain known as jogger’s heel

When to see a podiatrist?

Foot and ankle conditions can be caused by a wide variety of issues, so you can benefit from a consultation with a podiatrist if you’re feeling pain. These trained medical professionals are well acquainted with foot problems and can diagnose your ailment fairly quickly. They’re experts at applying the proper treatment, whether you’ve suffered from a sudden injury or are suffering from a chronic condition.

Even if you aren’t feeling pain, a podiatrist can help you. If you’re starting to engage in a new activity — such as running, for example — it might be a good idea for you to consult a podiatrist to assess your feet, legs and body. The podiatrist might be able to identify any possible problems that may arise and even recommend a suitable set of shoes for you to wear during your activity.

Experiencing side effects from other conditions?

If you’re currently experiencing swelling, redness or stiffness in your feet or ankles, it may be a symptom of arthritis. Arthritis can be a debilitating condition that eventually leads to the inability to walk. Podiatrists can suggest and apply treatments to improve the way your joint functions, which can keep you active.

A doctor of internal medicine may treat you for diabetes, but you should also consider annual visits to a podiatrist. Diabetes can cause your feet to experience dry skin, infections, and nerve damage. Care by a podiatrist can reduce your risk of diabetes-induced foot amputation by 50 percent.

If you are concerned that you may have incurred a sprain or broken bone in your foot or ankle, a visit to a podiatrist is an excellent idea. If you’re experiencing swelling or trouble walking, our podiatrist can implement the proper treatment to get you back to your normal level of mobility.

Get an appointment this week with a local podiatrist

Book a podiatry appointment with our compassionate, knowledgeable, and ultramodern professionals and be seen without delay.

Can I schedule a virtual appointment?

Yes. Doctors United is now offering telemedicine within each of its offices in the Bronx and Westchester so that patients can receive a consultation from the comfort of their own home. If you’re looking to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, call one of our 5 doctors office locations.