Why See a Podiatrist?

13141598_S_doctor_forms_stethoscope.jpg

At Goldsmith Podiatry we believe an educated patient makes the best health care decisions and one area we sometimes find people are fuzzy about is just what exactly a podiatrist does. The DPM after your podiatrist’s name stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and it means that the podiatrist has successfully completed years of intense foot and ankle education and clinical practice in a podiatric medical school as well as a hospital residency program, uniquely qualifying him or her to treat the lower extremities of the body. If, like our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia, a doctor is board certified it means they have undergone even more advanced training and passed an exam that grants them certification.

What Do They Treat?

Your foot doctor treats a wide range of toe, foot and ankle disorders as well as helps patients be proactive in the care of this part of their body. They provide preventative, medical and surgical treatments. You can expect a podiatrist to:

  • Consult with you about foot pain or discomfort. The podiatrist will examine your feet, perform diagnostic tests such as digital x-rays (available onsite in our New York City office), ultrasounds and other imaging studies. This will lead to a diagnosis and treatment plan. If your condition is one that affects more than just your feet, such as diabetes or arthritis, the podiatrist will also consult with other physicians who are treating you.
  • Treat common foot ailments such as ingrown toenails, warts, athlete’s foot and fungal toenails.
  • Perform surgeries to correct bunions, ruptured Achilles tendons, plantar fasciitis and other disorders or injuries.
  • Deal with fractures and sprains and prescribe the necessary physical therapy and rehabilitative treatments.
  • Fit you with custom orthotics, special shoes and other durable medical goods to improve foot health.
  • Analyze your gait and make recommendations for sports shoes and steps you can take to protect your feet for certain activities and professions.
  • Administer routine and ongoing care for geriatric patients and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

In short, if it has to do with any part of your body from the knees down, your foot and ankle doctor is the professional to turn to for diagnosis and treatment. If you have a question about a foot condition or are unsure if you should make an appointment with the podiatrist, contact our Upper West Side office by calling: (212) 877-1002. 

Proper Foot CareGoldsmith Podiatry