Frequently Asked Questions

  What is Podiatry?

  Problems with your Little Toes.

  Problem with your Toe.

What is Podiatry?

Podiatric medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing foot and ankle problems, such as plantar fasciitis. Your podiatric physician (podiatrist) is highly trained through years of study and clinical practice, including a bachelor's degree program and four years of podiatric medical school. In addition, podiatrists often have one or more years of residency training to study foot care and surgery in greater depth. Once in practice, podiatrists continue to stay informed about the latest research and developments in the field.
In treating your feet, your podiatrist may also work with your other healthcare providers to give you appropriate and comprehensive care.
 

Problems with your little toes

Your little toes help to balance and propel your body when you move. As your foot flattens, the little toes bend to grip the ground. Then they straighten, acting like levers to help push your foot so you can walk, run, or dance. But if the front of your foot is wide, you may develop a problem known as a hammer toe. Hammer toes are little toes that buckle or curl under. Over time, these toes may hurt and make movement more difficult. But you don't have to live with pain. With your doctor's help, even severe hammer toes can usually be treated so you can move more easily.
 

Problem with your  toe                                                                                 Top

 
Your big toe is the hardest-working toe. Every time your foot pushes off the ground, this toe supports most of your body's weight. Because the big toe is so critical to movement, any problem with it can make walking or even standing painful. A bunion (excess or misaligned bone in the joint) is one of the most common big toe problems. In addition to causing pain, a bunion changes the shape of your foot, making it harder to find shoes that fit. But you don't have to hobble for the rest of your life. Bunions can be treated. With your doctor's help, your feet can feel and look better.