This might seem like a silly question, but we think it is an important one to answer. By understanding what a podiatrist is, we hope that you with continue to receive the best care possible. And maybe even know better when to visit our office.
A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM). In other words, a podiatrist is a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. It is important to call your podiatrist whenever you have a complication with your feet, ankles or legs, or even before further complications come up.
What does it take to become a podiatrist?
Because our feet are complex anatomical structures and shock absorbers, they are instrumental to our overall health and wellbeing. And for this reason, they require expert care. This is why it is important to visit your qualified podiatrist to treat your feet. Be sure to look for the “DPM” after his or her name—this means a physician has completed years of rigorous foot and ankle training in podiatric medical school and hospital-based residency training. It makes him or her uniquely qualified to care for this part of the body.
Podiatrists complete four years of training in a podiatric medical school and three years of hospital residency training, which is similar to that of other physicians. Many podiatrists may even go on to complete fellowship training after completion of their residency.
To learn more about podiatrists, please feel free to contact our Greenbelt, MD podiatry office—we are more than happy to help!
