What Does a Podiatrist Do? When to See One

Disclaimer: Content reviewed and maintained by the clinical team at Podiatry Of San Antonio (SA). This content is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider.

A podiatrist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
Podiatrists hold a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete four years of podiatric medical school and three years of surgical residency, and treat numerous conditions including fractures, infections, arthritis, diabetic ulcers, and deformities.
Seeing a podiatrist early can prevent infections, amputations, and chronic pain.

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)—a physician-level specialist focused exclusively on the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) defines podiatrists as the primary providers of foot and ankle care in the United States.

The training pathway is rigorous: four years of undergraduate study, four years of podiatric medical school accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, followed by a three-year hospital-based surgical residency. During residency, podiatric residents complete a minimum of 400 foot and ankle surgical procedures—twenty times the minimum required in orthopedic residencies. Board certification is available through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM).

A podiatrist is distinct from a primary care physician: a primary care physician (PCP) manages overall health, while a podiatrist diagnoses, treats, and operates on the foot and ankle. Podiatrists can prescribe medications, set fractures, order lab tests and imaging, and perform surgery. The foot contains numerous bones, joints, and muscles, tendons, and ligaments—more than enough anatomical complexity to justify a dedicated medical specialty. Approximately 18,000 podiatrists practice in the United States, serving as the primary foot and ankle specialists for millions of patients.

What Conditions Does a Podiatrist Treat?

Podiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of foot, ankle, and lower-leg conditions. The following list covers the most common reasons patients seek podiatric care:

• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis — One of the most frequent complaints, caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot. Podiatrists assess gait, recommend orthotics, and perform treatments including physical therapy, injections, and, in some cases, surgery. Learn more about foot pain management.
• Ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, and warts — Common nail and skin conditions that can become infected if left untreated. Podiatrists provide in-office removal and prescribe topical or oral treatments. Visit the ingrown toenail treatment page for details.
• Fractures and sprains — The foot contains 26 bones that can fracture from trauma, overuse, or stress. Podiatrists set fractures, apply casting, and provide rehabilitation protocols. See fracture treatment.
• Bunions and hammertoes — Progressive deformities that cause pain and difficulty walking. Treatment ranges from orthotic accommodation to surgical correction.
• Arthritis — Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout commonly affect weight-bearing joints in the foot and ankle. Podiatrists offer anti-inflammatory treatments, joint injections, and surgical options. Explore arthritis foot care and the related guide on foot and ankle arthritis symptoms and treatment.
• Diabetic foot problems — People with diabetes face unique risks: nerve damage, foot ulcers, Charcot foot, and infections that can lead to amputation. The CDC reports that approximately 12 percent of people with diabetes develop a diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime. Research shows a 19 to 34 percent lifetime risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer. The practice offers diabetic foot care services and a dedicated guide on how diabetes affects your feet.
• Foot infections and deformities — Athlete’s foot, cellulitis, fungal nail infections, and structural deformities such as flat feet or high arches fall within a podiatrist’s scope. The practice provides treatment for foot infections and deformities.

What Treatments and Procedures Do Podiatrists Provide?

Podiatrists provide a wide spectrum of treatments ranging from conservative in-office procedures to complex reconstructive surgery:

• In-office procedures — Ingrown toenail removal, wart excision, nail debridement, corn and callus shaving, wound debridement, and abscess drainage. Most are performed under local anesthesia with immediate return to daily activities.
• Orthotics and custom footwear — Podiatrists perform gait analysis and prescribe custom orthotic inserts that correct biomechanical issues, redistribute pressure, and alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and flat feet.
• Injections and medication — Corticosteroid injections for inflammation, antibiotic therapy for infections, and topical or oral antifungal medications for nail and skin conditions. Podiatrists can prescribe medications, set fractures, perform surgery, and order lab and imaging tests..
• Surgical procedures — Podiatrists perform bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, fracture fixation, tendon repair, and reconstructive foot surgery. Board-certified podiatric surgeons perform these in hospital or surgical-center settings. The practice offers foot diagnostics and surgery and treatment of common foot conditions.
• Wound care for diabetic patients — Debridement of non-healing ulcers, offloading pressure areas, infection control, and referral for advanced wound therapy. Early podiatric intervention significantly reduces amputation risk.

Questions about what Does a Podiatrist Do? When to See One? Book an appointment or call 210-858-9866.

Podiatrist vs. Orthopedist: Which Should You See?

The choice between a podiatrist (DPM) and an orthopedist (MD or DO) depends on the location and nature of the problem. The following comparison clarifies the distinction:

Podiatrists train exclusively on the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedists (orthopedic surgeons) are physicians who treat the entire musculoskeletal system—from the neck and spine to the shoulders, knees, and feet. Podiatric residency requires a minimum of 400 foot and ankle surgical procedures orthopedic residency requires a minimum of 20—a 20-fold difference in foot and ankle surgical experience according to the APMA.

Only Mississippi and Massachusetts restrict podiatrists from treating the ankle in all other states, including Texas, podiatrists treat the full lower leg.

When to choose a podiatrist: Any problem involving the foot, ankle, or lower leg—especially diabetic foot care, nail and skin conditions, custom orthotics, gait analysis, and foot-specific surgery.

When to choose an orthopedist: Problems above the ankle (knee, hip, shoulder, spine) or systemic musculoskeletal conditions like severe trauma requiring multi-joint reconstruction.

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

Many people delay seeing a podiatrist because they are unsure whether their symptoms warrant a visit. The following signs indicate it is time to schedule an appointment:

• Persistent foot, ankle, or heel pain — Pain that lasts more than a few days, interferes with walking, or does not improve with rest may indicate plantar fasciitis, arthritis, a stress fracture, or tendonitis.
• Changes in skin or nails — Thickened, discolored, or painful toenails corns, calluses, or warts that are painful or growing cracks or fissures in the skin that could become infected.
• Bunions, hammertoes, or other deformities — Progressive deformities worsen over time and become harder to treat. Early podiatric intervention prevents chronic pain and mobility loss.
• Foot problems with diabetes — Any foot issue in a person with diabetes requires prompt podiatric evaluation. Nearly half of people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy have no symptoms (CDC), meaning damage can progress unnoticed.
• Non-healing sores or wounds — A sore on the foot that has not healed within two weeks requires professional evaluation. For people with diabetes, this is urgent—the CDC reports approximately 130,000 diabetes-related hospital discharges involved lower-extremity amputation in 2016.
• Injury or trauma — Fractures, sprains, dislocations, puncture wounds, or crush injuries to the foot or ankle.
• Post-surgery or post-injury rehabilitation — Podiatrists guide recovery, prescribe orthotics, and help restore normal gait.

Signs That Should Not Wait

Some symptoms require immediate medical attention. Patients experiencing any of the following should contact a podiatrist promptly:

• A sore or wound on the foot that will not heal or is getting larger
• Redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage around a foot wound (signs of infection)
• Discolored skin—black, blue, purple, or extremely pale—on the toes or foot (may indicate compromised circulation)
• Fever accompanying a foot wound, injury, or infection
• Any foot problem in a person with diabetes—even a minor blister or callus can progress to a serious infection

Ready to Make an Appointment?
If any of these warning signs sound familiar, a specialist can evaluate the problem before it worsens. Podiatry Of SA provides expert foot and ankle care for patients in Live Oak and the greater San Antonio area.
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What to Expect at Your First Podiatrist Visit

A first podiatry visit is straightforward. Knowing what to expect helps patients prepare:

• Medical history review — The podiatrist reviews the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, medications, and any relevant diagnoses (diabetes, arthritis, vascular disease).
• Physical exam — The podiatrist examines the feet, ankles, and lower legs, checking for skin and nail conditions, deformity, swelling, circulation, and sensation. The exam includes range-of-motion testing and strength assessment.
• Gait analysis — Many podiatrists observe the patient walking to identify biomechanical issues, abnormal pressure points, and gait abnormalities.
• Imaging — If needed, the podiatrist may order X-rays, ultrasound, or other imaging to evaluate bone structure, fractures, or soft-tissue problems.
• Treatment discussion — The podiatrist explains findings, discusses treatment options (from conservative care to surgery), and develops a care plan tailored to the patient’s needs and goals.
• Duration — A typical first visit lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
• What to bring — Insurance card, photo ID, list of current medications, and any relevant medical records (recent X-rays, referral notes, diabetes management plan).

Where to Find Podiatry Care in Live Oak and San Antonio

Podiatry of San Antonio provides comprehensive foot and ankle care to patients across Live Oak and the greater San Antonio area.

• Location and accessibility — The practice is located in Live Oak, Texas (TX), serving patients from San Antonio, Universal City, Converse, Selma, and surrounding communities. The office is accessible for patients with mobility limitations. Find the podiatrist in Live Oak, TX.
• Provider — Dr. Mevelyn Morse, DPM, brings board certification and specialized training in podiatric medicine and surgery. Learn more about Dr. Mevelyn Morse, DPM.
• Accepted insurance — The practice accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid. Patients are encouraged to verify their coverage through the insurance page.
• Conditions treated locally — The practice offers a full range of podiatry services in Live Oak, TX, including foot and ankle pain management, diabetic foot care, ingrown toenail treatment, fracture care, arthritis treatment, corn and wart removal, and foot diagnostic and surgical services.

For additional tips on keeping feet healthy between visits, see the practice’s guide on tips for healthy feet all year round.