What is a Podiatrist?

Learn About the Benefits of Podiatry Care 

Foot and ankle problems can make it difficult to work, exercise, or spend time with your loved ones. Podiatrists like Dr. Joel Foster help people with foot and ankle pain find treatment options that get them back to making the most of each day. 

Why a Podiatrist Is the Right Choice to Care for Your Foot and Ankle Health

A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Podiatrists are experts in all aspects of foot and ankle care, from routine checkups and preventative care to complex surgical procedures.

To become a podiatrist, a person must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years of podiatric medical school. Podiatric medical school is similar to traditional medical school, with a curriculum focused on the lower extremities. Students take courses in anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, pharmacology, and various clinical disciplines.

After graduating from podiatric medical school, podiatrists complete a two to four-year residency program where they gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. Some podiatrists may also choose to complete additional fellowships to specialize in areas like sports medicine, pediatrics, or surgery.

Dr. Joel Foster earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Kansas and received his doctoral degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. After completing his education, Dr. Foster underwent surgical training at the Medical Center of Independence. This training included instruction in forefoot and rearfoot reconstruction, minimally invasive surgery, nerve surgery, diabetic wound care, peripheral vascular disease, and sports medicine.

Since completing his residency, Dr. Foster has continued to seek additional training in areas of focus that few other podiatrists have. He is an active member of both the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons and the Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery, and attends regular meetings and training sessions with these organizations.   

Services and Treatments a Podiatrist Can Offer

Podiatrists provide care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.  For example, Dr. Foster often treats patients with: 

• Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the large tendon connecting the heel to the calf muscles.
• Bunions. Bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe, bunions often cause pain and difficulty wearing shoes.
• Ingrown toenails. When the corner or side of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, this can lead to pain, redness, and swelling.
• Flat feet. When the arches of the feet are flattened, this can cause discomfort and difficulty with activities.
• Fungal toenails. Discolored, thickened, and deformed toenails can be the result of a fungal infection. 
• Hammer toe. Hammer toe causes the toe to curl downward, often due to an imbalance in the muscles and tendons.
• Heel spurs. Bony growths on the heel bone can cause pain, and heel spurs are often a complication of untreated plantar fasciitis.
• Nerve pain. Often caused by diabetes, nerve pain can lead to discomfort, tingling, or numbness in the feet.
• Plantar fasciitis. The inflammation of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
• Plantar warts. Small, rough growths on the bottom of the feet, plantar warts are caused by a virus.

Advances in podiatric medicine have made it easier, safer, and more convenient to treat foot and ankle pain. For example, some of the advanced services Dr. Foster’s office can provide include:

• Minimally invasive foot surgery. Minimally invasive techniques require only small incisions, which helps minimize risks, speed healing, and reduce post-operative discomfort compared to traditional open surgeries. HyProCure is a type of minimally invasive survey we often recommend for misaligned feet.
• EPAT. Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) uses high-energy pressure waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.
• Aquaroll therapy. Aquaroll therapy uses 30,000 tiny glass beads within a basin filled with warm water to help people relieve their pain, improve their circulation, and recover from soft-tissue injuries.
• Laser therapy. Our Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Therapy Laser helps patients recover faster from chronic conditions, sports injuries, wounds, or even nerve pain by stimulating cellular activity and encouraging circulation.
• Custom orthotics. We provide a selection of high-quality, heat-moldable arch supports, as well as fully custom foot orthotics and ankle-foot orthoses crafted from molds of your feet. 

Why Cost Concerns Shouldn’t Keep You From Visiting a Podiatrist

Dr. Foster believes everyone deserves access to foot and ankle care—even if they don’t have health insurance or have a high deductible plan. To ensure there are no surprises, we use a direct-pay model with clearly posted prices for all our products and services. Whether you need bunion correction, custom orthotics, EPAT therapy, or any other type of podiatric treatment, you can view the cost details on our website before your appointment. This level of transparency allows you to accurately budget for your podiatrist visits and avoid the frustration of unexpected bills.