The word "Podiatrist" comes from the Greek words "pod," meaning foot, and "iatros," meaning healer. So a podiatrist is, literally, a "foot healer."

A podiatrist is a licensed physician and surgeon, specializing in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment, both medically and surgically, of foot and ankle conditions.

Hundreds of millions of dollars is spent each year on over-the-counter foot care products such as foot powders, corn pads, bunion pads, insoles, and other remedies. These, along with proper home care and preventive measures, can help some foot problems. However, many injuries and serious foot problems must have professional treatment.

The foot is vulnerable to sprains, fractures, and other types of trauma which may require emergency care. Most hospitals have podiatrists on staff to care for these patients.

The foot is a sophisticated system with 26 bones and 55 joints. Diagnosing and treating foot problems requires a thorough background in the anatomy, physiology and biomechanics of the foot, in addition to the normal medical school curriculum.

The problems treated by podiatrists include corns, calluses, bunions, plantar warts, hammer toes, ingrown nails, gout, arch pain, heel pain, infections, parasites, circulatory problems, tumors, sprains, fractures, congenital foot deformities, degenerative changes ... and a host of other problems that commonly affect the feet.

The treatment of children's feet is an important part of podiatric practice, since early treatment will often forestall a lifetime of problems.

Older people often need specialized foot care. Arthritis, circulatory, and skin conditions often result from degenerative changes. Proper foot care for diabetic patients is particularly important.

The major goal of the podiatrist is to keep the patient's feet in healthy condition. Methods include recommendations for proper shoe selection, advice on effective home care, and orthopedic devices such as orthotics, padding, and shoe balancing. Topical and systemic medications and physical therapy are prescribed. When necessary, surgical intervention is utilized. 

Having a regular annual  foot check-up ... just as you have your teeth checked ... may mean easy walking for life.

Can a podiatrist help you? We make it easy it find out. Here's how...

The physicians and staff of the A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Centers maintain two complete podiatric clinical facilities and provide 24-hour emergency service. We participate in most health plans including Blue Cross / Blue Shield, Medicare, and Medicaid. We complete and file all necessary insurance forms and make every effort to assure you of maximum benefits with minimum out-of-pocket expense.

You are invited to make an appointment today to relieve your foot problems by calling us at 970-493-4660 or 970-667-0769.

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