Injuries of the foot can be very difficult problems to diagnose. Most general practitioners are only equipped to deal with relatively easy types of foot injury. If it is any more serious than a mild sprain to the ankle, then it is a better idea to seek the assistance of a podiatrist. These doctors specialize in the treatment of the foot, and therefore are better able to give you an accurate diagnosis when dealing with such issues.

In order to go and see a podiatrist, you will usually have to get a referral through your general practitioner or family doctor. Since they are specialists, sometimes this is the only way that they will take on a new patient. It may also be a requirement of one's insurance agency to do things this way.

Before choosing a podiatrist, it’s a good idea to look into what type of podiatrist you need. There are a few areas of specialization within the field of podiatry. Sports podiatry focuses on sports-related injuries and implementing a plan of action that can get the injured players back into the activities they are into. Bio-mechanical podiatry specializes in knowing precisely which way the foot should move in everyday life. These are the more general doctors that can instruct you in day to day pain. Surgical podiatrists focus on fixing foot issues through surgical means. They are usually a last resort, and you will normally get referred to one from a more general type of foot doctor if necessary. When selecting a podiatrist, it is crucial that you make sure you choose one that best fits the problems that you are having. A sports based doctor is not going to be the best choice if you are suffering from diabetes related foot issues, for instance.

The best way to research a foot doctor in your area is generally with a simple internet search. There are a variety of sites that will give reviews based on customer experiences with different doctors. This can be a great source of information, but it does not always give a full picture of the doctor's performance. Many people only take the time to review something when they have had a negative experience. This can skew the results so keep this in mind during your research. It's also a good idea to request a suggestion from your family doctor. Try to ask them on a personal level, like who they would refer a family member to. If you do it this way, you may get a better recommendation.