When you visit a podiatrist for foot or ankle pain, you might assume their focus is solely on your feet and ankles. Yes, we are specialists, but as our diabetic patients already know so well, many foot problems have a systemic cause. That’s why we at Podiatry Center of New Jersey are constantly working with a network of other healthcare professionals to ensure your needs are met. Today, we’ll be unpacking exactly which specialists we talk to the most.
1. Primary Care Physicians
Your primary care physician is often the first and most frequent touchpoint. That’s because your PCP manages your overall health! So, if you have chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, we need to know that and get a comprehensive understanding of your medical history.
But it’s not just for understanding; it’s for treatment as well. When foot symptoms like swelling, numbness, or non-healing wounds hint at systemic problems, your primary care provider is our go-to to constantly receive and give updates.
2. Endocrinologists
For patients with diabetes, a close partnership between a podiatrist and an endocrinologist is absolutely vital. Diabetes is a leading cause of foot complications like neuropathy and peripheral artery disease, which can lead to ulcers and amputations.
While the endocrinologist manages blood sugar levels, podiatrists focus on preventing, detecting, and treating foot issues. This team approach is essential to minimize diabetic foot risks.
3. Vascular Surgeons
When foot pain, numbness, or non-healing wounds are due to poor circulation, a podiatrist often works directly with a vascular surgeon. A vascular surgeon performs procedures to restore circulation and manages the foot wound care and monitors the overall health of the foot.
4. Orthopedic Surgeons
Many don’t know this, but while podiatrists themselves often perform foot and ankle surgeries, working with orthopedic surgeons is common for complex cases. This might include intricate fracture repairs of the ankle, large-joint arthritis requiring replacement, or severe deformities that impact the entire lower limb alignment. This partnership ensures that patients are getting various well-rounded perspectives.
5. Neurologists
Numbness, tingling, weakness, or unexplained gait changes can spell a neurological condition. So, podiatrists may refer patients to a neurologist to diagnose underlying disorders such as peripheral neuropathy (when not diabetes-related), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, or issues stemming from conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
6. Physical Therapists
The partnership with physical therapists is fundamental for rehabilitation. After injuries like ankle sprains or surgery, or for managing chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, physical therapists develop customized exercise programs.
Strength, flexibility, balance, gait correction- it all works hand-in-hand with the podiatrist’s treatment plan to ensure optimal recovery and long-term function.
If you have more questions about foot care or want to address specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert team at Podiatry Center of New Jersey! Give us a call at (973) 925-4111 or make an appointment online.
