Podiatrists

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
• Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
• Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
• Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
• Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.
• Educate the public about the benefits of foot care through techniques such as speaking engagements, advertising, and other forums.
• Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
• Make and fit prosthetic appliances.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Related Work Experience

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Podiatrists.

A Day in the Life

A podiatrist's typical day begins in their office or clinic, reviewing patient charts and diagnostic images before the first appointments arrive. Morning hours are often filled with patient consultations covering a wide range of conditions—diabetic foot ulcers, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and ankle sprains—each requiring careful examination and individualized treatment plans. Between patients, podiatrists review X-rays, MRI results, and lab work, making diagnoses and documenting findings in electronic health records with detailed clinical notes. Midday may shift to minor in-office procedures like removing ingrown nails, debriding calluses, administering cortisone injections, or applying casts and braces for fractures. Surgical podiatrists spend one or two days per week in operating rooms performing procedures ranging from bunionectomies and hammertoe corrections to ankle reconstructions and Achilles tendon repairs. Afternoons involve follow-up appointments, reviewing custom orthotic prescriptions with patients, and coordinating care with primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and physical therapists. Administrative tasks including practice management, insurance authorizations, and peer review fill remaining time. The workday typically runs eight to ten hours, with most podiatrists enjoying evenings and weekends off compared to many other medical specialties.

Work Environment

Most podiatrists work in clean, well-equipped private practice offices or multi-specialty clinics that provide a comfortable and professional medical environment. Treatment rooms are set up specifically for lower extremity examination, with podiatric chairs, X-ray capabilities, and minor surgical suites that allow many procedures to be performed in-office rather than in hospitals. Surgical podiatrists also work in hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers, typically scheduling surgical days one to two days per week. The physical demands of podiatry are moderate compared to many medical specialties, involving standing during examinations and surgeries, fine motor work during procedures, and occasional lifting to position patients. Work hours are generally predictable and favorable, with most private practice podiatrists maintaining regular office hours and limited evening or weekend commitments. On-call responsibilities are lighter than most surgical specialties, typically covering only hospital-based emergencies involving foot trauma or diabetic complications. The patient population is diverse, ranging from pediatric patients to elderly individuals, athletes to diabetics, creating variety in daily clinical experiences. Solo and small group practice owners enjoy autonomy in scheduling and practice management, while employed podiatrists in health systems benefit from administrative support and referral networks.

Career Path & Advancement

Becoming a podiatrist requires completing a four-year undergraduate degree followed by four years at one of the accredited colleges of podiatric medicine, earning a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Podiatric medical school covers the same foundational sciences as MD programs—anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology—with additional specialized training in lower extremity biomechanics, orthopedics, and surgery. After earning the DPM, graduates complete a three-year surgical residency in a hospital setting, gaining extensive experience in foot and ankle surgery, wound care, and inpatient management. Board certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) or the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) requires passing rigorous examinations and demonstrates advanced competency. Early career podiatrists often join established group practices or multi-specialty clinics to build patient volume and refine their clinical skills under mentorship. After gaining experience, many podiatrists open their own solo or group practices, combining clinical excellence with business ownership. Academic career paths in podiatric medical schools combine teaching, research, and clinical practice. Fellowship training in areas like sports medicine, wound care, or complex reconstructive surgery allows further specialization.

Specializations

Podiatric medicine encompasses numerous subspecialties that allow practitioners to focus their expertise on specific patient populations or conditions. Diabetic foot care is one of the most critical specializations, as podiatrists manage ulcer prevention, wound treatment, and amputation avoidance for the millions of Americans with diabetes. Sports medicine podiatry focuses on athletic injuries including stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprains, and biomechanical issues that affect performance, often working with professional and collegiate athletic teams. Podiatric surgery specialists perform complex reconstructive procedures including total ankle replacements, Charcot foot reconstruction, and trauma repair requiring advanced surgical training. Pediatric podiatry addresses developmental conditions in children including flatfoot, in-toeing, clubfoot, and growth plate injuries that affect gait and mobility during critical development years. Podiatric dermatology focuses on skin and nail conditions of the foot including fungal infections, warts, skin cancers, and chronic dermatological conditions. Biomechanics and orthotic therapy specialists use gait analysis technology and custom-fabricated orthotic devices to correct alignment issues and prevent injuries. Wound care podiatrists work in hospital-based wound centers, managing complex non-healing wounds through advanced techniques including skin grafts, negative pressure therapy, and regenerative medicine applications.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

Podiatry faces exceptional demand growth driven by demographic trends, chronic disease prevalence, and expanding scope of practice that position it as one of healthcare's most promising specialties. The aging population is increasing foot and ankle pathology volumes, as conditions like arthritis, diabetes-related complications, and balance disorders become more prevalent in older adults. Diabetes affects over 37 million Americans, and podiatrists are essential in preventing the lower extremity complications that lead to approximately 150,000 amputations annually. Many states have progressively expanded podiatric scope of practice to include ankle surgery and advanced reconstructive procedures, broadening the conditions podiatrists can independently treat. Telehealth adoption has created new service delivery models, with podiatrists conducting virtual follow-ups, triage consultations, and wound monitoring through smartphone-based imaging. The podiatric workforce is not growing fast enough to meet demand, with current residency graduate numbers insufficient to replace retiring practitioners, creating favorable market conditions for new podiatrists. Integration of advanced technology including 3D-printed custom orthotics, regenerative biologics for wound healing, and robotic-assisted surgery is elevating clinical capabilities. Value-based care models that reward amputation prevention and chronic disease management are increasing reimbursement for the preventive podiatric services that have the greatest patient impact.