If your heel hurts every morning, a stubborn ingrown toenail keeps coming back, or diabetes has put your feet at higher risk, searching for a podiatrist near me connects you with the specialty trained specifically for foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists hold the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete a 3-year hospital-based residency, and may pursue further fellowship training in surgery, sports medicine, or wound care. They are licensed independently in every state to diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions, including surgical care.
When to seek emergency care: Most podiatry visits are scheduled. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for severe traumatic foot or ankle injury with deformity or open fracture, suspected compartment syndrome (severe pain disproportionate to injury, numbness, pale or cold foot), severe infection with red streaking up the leg, fever and chills, or rapid spread of redness — particularly in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Diabetic foot infections can become limb-threatening within hours.
What a Podiatrist Is and What They Treat
A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — a four-year podiatric medical school graduate who completed a 3-year residency in podiatric medicine and surgery (PMSR), often with reconstructive foot and ankle surgery training. Some pursue further fellowships. Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states and work in private practice, multispecialty groups, hospitals, and the VA system.
Common conditions include plantar fasciitis, heel pain, ingrown toenails, fungal nails, bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, flat feet, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprains and instability, stress fractures, diabetic foot care, peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers, and sports-related foot and ankle injuries. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), about 75% of Americans experience foot problems at some point.
When to See a Podiatrist vs Your Primary Care
Primary care doctors handle straightforward foot complaints — minor sprains, basic toenail problems, common warts, and education on diabetic foot care. Podiatry referral is appropriate for persistent pain (more than 4-6 weeks), recurrent ingrown toenails, suspected stress fractures, bunions and hammertoes, diabetic foot ulcers, peripheral neuropathy management, and any foot problem requiring procedures or surgery.
For sports-related foot and ankle injuries, podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons with foot-and-ankle subspecialty training overlap significantly. Either can provide excellent care; choice often comes down to availability, hospital affiliation, and personal fit. Physical therapy is frequently part of the treatment plan for both surgical and non-surgical foot and ankle problems.
How to Find a Podiatrist Near You
The APMA’s “Find a Podiatrist” tool at apma.org is the primary directory. APMA membership signals professional engagement with the field. Hospital-based foot and ankle centers, particularly those with diabetic foot programs and limb preservation services, employ specialty-focused podiatrists. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) lists fellowship-trained surgical podiatrists.
Insurance directories list podiatrists, with most plans covering podiatric care similarly to other specialists. Medicare covers podiatric care for medically necessary indications, with specific rules around routine foot care and diabetic foot care. For diabetic patients, look for podiatrists with experience in diabetic limb preservation. See our telehealth guide for context on virtual podiatry options.
How to Verify Podiatrist Credentials
Two main board certifications exist for podiatrists. The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) certifies surgical podiatrists. The American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) certifies podiatrists in podiatric medicine and orthopedics. Both are recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.
State licensure (DPM license) is required in every state — check your state’s licensing board for active status and any disciplinary actions. Hospital privileges, fellowship training (especially for complex reconstructive cases), and APMA membership are additional credibility signals. For surgical care, ABFAS certification with relevant case volume is most relevant.
Costs and Insurance Considerations
Office visit copays for podiatry typically run $20-60 with commercial insurance, similar to other specialists. Self-pay rates run $150-350 for new-patient visits. Common procedures: ingrown toenail removal (matrixectomy) $200-500 self-pay, plantar fascia injections $100-300, custom orthotics $300-800. Bunion or hammertoe surgery: $3,000-12,000 surgeon fee plus facility fees, typically covered by insurance for medically appropriate indications.
Medicare coverage of routine foot care is limited. Medicare covers podiatry for medically necessary services and specifically covers diabetic foot care including therapeutic shoes for eligible patients with peripheral neuropathy. Routine nail care and callus debridement are covered when diabetes or peripheral vascular disease creates risk. For broader cost context, see our healthcare costs guide.
Telehealth Options for Podiatry
Telehealth podiatry has expanded for select scenarios: routine follow-ups, post-operative checks (with mailed photos), wound surveillance for stable diabetic patients, and education for new diabetic patients on foot care. Some podiatrists use store-and-forward photo evaluation for ingrown nails, suspected fungal infections, and skin lesions.
What requires in-person care: physical examination, gait assessment, biomechanical evaluation, nail procedures, injections, debridement of calluses and ulcers, casting, and surgery. Telehealth is a useful complement to in-person care for chronic patients but not a substitute for the procedural and examination-heavy nature of most podiatry.
What to Bring to Your First Podiatry Visit
Bring shoes you wear most often — work shoes, athletic shoes, dress shoes, anything you suspect contributes to the problem. The podiatrist will examine wear patterns. Bring any orthotics or inserts you currently use.
Bring records of any prior foot or ankle imaging (X-rays, MRI), prior surgical reports, and current medications. List your medical history, particularly diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, and any blood thinners. For diabetic patients, bring most recent A1c results. Note when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect daily activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a podiatrist a real doctor?
Yes. Podiatrists hold the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete 4 years of podiatric medical school plus a 3-year residency, and are licensed in all 50 states to diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions including surgery. Their training is parallel to MD/DO training but specialized to the foot and ankle.
Does insurance cover podiatry?
Yes. Commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare all cover medically necessary podiatric care. Medicare specifically covers diabetic foot care and provides therapeutic shoe coverage for eligible diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. Routine foot care without underlying medical conditions is often not covered.
What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon?
Both treat foot and ankle conditions including surgery. Podiatrists hold the DPM degree with specialty training focused on the foot and ankle. Orthopedic foot-and-ankle surgeons hold MD or DO degrees with orthopedic surgery residency plus a foot-and-ankle fellowship. Both pathways produce excellent foot-and-ankle surgeons.
Can a podiatrist do surgery?
Yes. Podiatrists with surgical training perform a wide range of foot and ankle surgeries — bunion correction, hammertoe repair, neuroma removal, fracture fixation, ankle reconstruction, and more. Look for ABFAS board certification and fellowship training for complex reconstructive cases.
How do I treat plantar fasciitis at home before seeing a podiatrist?
Standard initial measures include calf and plantar fascia stretching, ice, supportive shoes, over-the-counter heel cushions or arch supports, weight management, and activity modification. If pain persists beyond 4-6 weeks despite these measures, podiatry evaluation is reasonable. Avoid prolonged barefoot walking on hard surfaces.
The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Podiatrist
The right podiatrist holds an active state DPM license, ABFAS certification (for surgical care) or ABPM certification (for podiatric medicine), hospital privileges if surgery may be needed, and experience with your specific concern. Use apma.org to identify podiatrists and the relevant board sites to verify certification. For diabetic patients especially, finding a podiatrist who can serve as part of a coordinated diabetes care team meaningfully reduces the risk of serious foot complications.