Dr. Michael Henry, MD, Podiatry | Wilmington, DE | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What did podiatrist used to be called? ›

Ancient Forms of Podiatry

Up until the 20^th century, doctors who focused on feet, ankles, and legs were called chiropodists and considered separate from other types of organized medicine. It was still considered a respectable profession and became more established by the 1800s.

Podiatrists diagnose and treat any foot or ankle problem. They perform physical exams and use tests to identify issues that make it hard to move or use your feet and ankles. They can also perform surgery.

DPMs, also called podiatrists, diagnose and treat disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities. They can specialize in areas such as sports medicine, surgery, biomechanics, and diabetic foot care, among others.

The truth is that foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons have the most comprehensive training available for nonsurgical treatment options and have the highest level of qualifications to diagnose the root cause of any foot or ankle problem.

Podiatrists are doctors, but they don't go to traditional medical school. They have their own schools and professional associations. They also have "DPM" (doctor of podiatric medicine) after their names instead of "MD" (medical doctor).

Common problems that podiatrists treat include bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot. Treatment methods used by podiatrists can vary depending on the specific condition but often include things like orthotic devices, braces, or surgery.

Your podiatrist can safely cut your nails and remove fungus without spreading it. They can also prescribe antifungal creams and sprays to help the nail heal.

Your podiatrist can detect a fungal infection early, perform a lab test, determine the cause, and form a suitable treatment plan, which may include prescribing topical or oral medication, and debridement (removal of diseased nail matter and debris) of an infected nail.

Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. Conversely, orthopedists cater to general musculoskeletal problems. Although an orthopedist technically has studied foot and ankle problems, a podiatrist specializes in them. This specialization allows a podiatrist to better address issues unique to your foot and ankle.

As a general rule, if foot pain is your only issue, a podiatrist is a great choice. If you have pain all throughout your body, such as the neck and back, you should see an orthopedic doctor. If you can find a doctor that is trained in both orthopedics and podiatry, that is much better in the long run.

Should you let a podiatrist do surgery? ›

A podiatrist is a specialist of the foot and ankle and is trained in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders of the lower extremities. If you have arthritic joints in your foot or an injury to the soft tissues and bones, a podiatrist trained in foot and ankle surgery is probably a better choice.