Podiatrists in Joliet IL are not medical doctors, but they have completed the substantial amount of training and education required that qualifies them to have the title of doctor. They are commonly called foot doctors, although they also treat ailments of the ankle and lower leg. A patient’s family practice physician may recommend seeing a podiatrist for certain kinds of disorders or injuries of the lower limbs and feet.
Types of Health Care Doctors
People who feel a little confused about health care professionals who are doctors but not medical doctors might consider other practitioners with this title. Optometrists are eye doctors, for example, while dentists are doctors of dental medicine. Chiropractors are outside the realm of conventional Western medicine, but they also are known as chiropractic doctors.
What Podiatrists Do
Just as all of these doctors do, Podiatrists in Joliet IL diagnose and treat problems caused by injuries and disease. They order diagnostic tests like X-rays and evaluate those images. They perform surgery as needed, although more complex cases may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon. These doctors also provide guidance on preventive care to keep feet healthy. That often involves making changes in the type of shoes the patient regularly wears.
Podiatrists are often considered sports medicine professionals, since so many foot and ankle injuries occur because of athletic activity. They also help patients who have developed work-related problems because of having to stand or walk for most of their shifts. People with a chronic disease that causes poor circulation can experience problems with their feet as well. A person with rheumatoid arthritis may want a podiatrist on the health care team to specifically address inflammation, pain and damage in the foot joints.
In addition, many people develop foot problems for other reasons. Conditions like plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, ingrown toenails and heel spurs are all common.
Where Podiatrists Work
These doctors work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, municipal health departments and clinics such as Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates. A person who wants to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist may Visit the site of this particular organization.