Podiatry or podiatric medicine is a field of healthcare devoted to the study and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and the knee, leg and hip (collectively known as the lower extremity). The range of disorders podiatry will typically deal with include ingrown nails, sprained ankles, nail fungus and treatment of issues related to diabetic foot care.

Podiatrists are also experts in the fitting of special diabetic comfort shoes and will prescribe and fit a person for special custom orthotics to be placed inside their normal shoes to help correct some problems they may have in that area. Many people do not have a complete understanding that a Podiatrist is the acknowledged expert in treating problems in this foot and ankle area of the body and will seek advice from their normal General Practioner when they have a problem that perhaps could be better dealt with by an experienced Podiatrist.

Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries that a Podiatrist will be confronted with along with the treatments to correct nail fungus problems and ingrown toenails. Ingrown nails can be pretty common and can occur at any age. It affects the large toes and occurs when the sides of the nail grow into the fleshy areas of the toe and then causing great pain and inflammation, redness and infection at that site. It is very important that this condition be treated promptly and correctly as it can not only be very painful but very serious infection can result from not taking care of this problem correctly.

Diabetics typically have special needs when it comes to the fitting of proper footwear and a trained Podiatrist is experienced in the diagnosis and fitting of special diabetic comfort shoes to deal with this problem. No one likes to be in pain or discomfort and there is no reason to be in that condition if properly fitted comfort shoes can eliminate the problem.

Toenail fungus is another problem that Podiatrists often see. Both men and women can develop this fungus problem and usually develops in people over the age of 40. Many people have already discovered how difficult it can be to eliminate this kind of fungus. Most Podiatrists have treated many cases of nail fungus and are well versed in the best and quickest methods to eliminate this problem.

So, a Podiatrist will never replace your General Doctor for treating day to day health issues but is the expert in specific conditions relating to the foot and ankle area and probably should be one of your first considerations if you are faced with a problem in that area of your body.