What's a Podiatrist? An iPod Doctor?

Seriously...that was a real question that one of my patient's was asked on her Facebook page. No, it wasn't a joke. She mentioned that she was going to see the Podiatrist and her friend responded "What's that? An iPod doctor?" I'm stunned too!

He's not alone though. I remember traveling by bus from New York to Philadelphia for my interview. The guy who sat next to me asked what I was going for and I told him and interview for Podiatry. He then spent the next hour telling me how much he loved kids. Podiatrist, pediatrician, close enough, right?

So...just in case you want to bring me your iPod or that I'll help your kids with their ear infection (I do treat kids' foot problems, though). Here's my explanation:

A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in treating all disorders of the foot and ankle. After college a podiatrist attends four years of school and then a hospital-based residency program. Podiatrists treat children, my youngest patient is under one year old, and also treat adults into their geriatric years. In my practice, I'll see the marathon runner who has developed pain due to overtraining and poor mechanics. I'll see the person with diabetes who has an open wound due to pressure. I take care of warts, ingrown toenails, athlete's foot, and infections. If someone steps on a tack, I'll be here to take it out. If you suffer with bunions, hammertoes, or a neuroma, I can do the surgery to get you feeling better. If you have flat feet, I can fit you for a custom orthotic so you won't even think about it. Break a bone? No problem, come on in and I'll x-ray it and get you fixed up.

Get it now? Simply put, a podiatrist is the premier physician to handle any foot or ankle problem. To learn more, order my FREE book "One Step Ahead: The Foot Owner's Manual" by clicking here.

By the way...I am pretty good with an iPod too!