Learning Center
What Is Podiatry?
Understanding the medical and surgical specialty dedicated to the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
Podiatry is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, preventing, and surgically managing conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, also known as a DPM, trained specifically in lower-extremity medicine and surgery.
Foot. Ankle. Leg. Skin. Nails. Nerves. Wounds. Surgery. Diabetic care.
Scope of Care
A Podiatrist Is a Physician and Surgeon
A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM. Podiatrists are physicians and surgeons trained to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and surgically manage conditions involving the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Patients may see a podiatrist for pain, injuries, wounds, diabetic foot care, nerve symptoms, skin and nail problems, deformities, infections, pediatric concerns, sports injuries, and surgical conditions.
Conditions & Care
What Can a Podiatrist Treat?
Foot & Heel Pain
Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, ball-of-foot pain, arthritis, tendon pain, and walking discomfort.
Ankle & Leg Conditions
Ankle sprains, instability, Achilles tendon pain, lower-leg concerns, swelling, and gait-related issues.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetic foot exams, neuropathy symptoms, calluses, wounds, ulcers, shoe needs, and limb-preservation concerns.
Wound Care
Foot ulcers, slow-healing wounds, pressure areas, infections, and diabetic wound risk.
Skin & Nail Problems
Ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, warts, calluses, corns, skin lesions, infections, and nail changes.
Foot & Ankle Surgery
Bunions, hammertoes, soft tissue masses, biopsies, bone spurs, deformity correction, nerve procedures, and selected lower-extremity procedures.
Nerve Pain & Neuromodulation
Burning, tingling, numbness, neuroma pain, neuropathy symptoms, and chronic peripheral nerve-related pain.
Pediatric Foot Care
Flat feet, heel pain, sports injuries, ingrown toenails, warts, walking concerns, and foot pain in children and teens.
Orthotics, Bracing & Shoes
Custom orthotics, braces, diabetic shoes, offloading, compression, and foot care product guidance.
Vascular & Circulation Concerns
Swelling, discoloration, non-healing wounds, diabetic circulation concerns, venous issues, and vascular coordination.
Education
The Training Behind a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Podiatrists complete undergraduate education, four years of podiatric medical school, and hospital-based residency training focused on foot, ankle, lower-extremity medicine, surgery, trauma, wounds, biomechanics, diabetic limb care, and related medical conditions.
Undergraduate Education
A podiatric physician begins with undergraduate study, including the science foundation needed for medical training.
Podiatric Medical School
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine complete four years of podiatric medical education focused on medicine, surgery, anatomy, biomechanics, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, wound care, diabetic foot care, and lower-extremity disease.
Residency Training
After earning the DPM degree, podiatric physicians complete hospital-based residency training in podiatric medicine and surgery. Modern podiatric residency commonly includes a 36-month surgical and medical training pathway.
Clinical Practice & Advanced Focus
A podiatrist may develop expertise in surgery, diabetic limb preservation, wound care, sports medicine, pediatrics, nerve pain, reconstructive surgery, or other lower-extremity areas.
Dr. Stephen Wigley IV
Dr. Wigley's Path to Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Stephen Wigley IV's training reflects a long pathway of undergraduate education, podiatric medical school, and reconstructive surgical residency training.
Dillard University, New Orleans
Dr. Wigley completed four years of undergraduate education at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Wigley completed four years at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, earning his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.
Palmetto General Hospital Residency
Dr. Wigley completed a three-year foot, ankle, and leg reconstructive residency at Palmetto General Hospital.
Wigley Feet
Today, Dr. Wigley brings that training into a comprehensive lower-extremity care model focused on podiatry, surgery, diabetic foot care, wound care, nerve pain, pediatric care, diabetic shoes, and coordinated procedural care.
A Broader Specialty
More Than Toenails and Calluses
Many patients first think of podiatry as nail care, callus care, or routine foot care. While podiatrists do treat skin and nail conditions, the specialty is much broader. Podiatrists also evaluate injuries, deformities, wounds, diabetic complications, nerve pain, vascular concerns, pediatric foot problems, and surgical conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
Know the Signs
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
You should consider seeing a podiatrist if foot, ankle, toe, nail, skin, wound, nerve, diabetic, gait, or lower-leg symptoms are affecting your comfort, walking, shoes, work, sports, or daily life.
- Heel pain or arch pain
- Bunions or hammertoes
- Ingrown or infected toenails
- Thick or discolored toenails
- Diabetic foot concerns
- Numbness, burning, tingling, or nerve pain
- Foot ulcers or slow-healing wounds
- Swelling, discoloration, or circulation concerns
- Ankle sprains or instability
- Sports injuries
- Pediatric walking or foot pain concerns
- Foot deformity or shoe-fit problems
- Painful calluses, corns, warts, or skin lesions
- Need for diabetic shoes, orthotics, braces, or compression
- Considering foot or ankle surgery
Your Visit
What Happens at a Podiatry Visit?
History & Concerns
We review symptoms, medical history, activity level, shoes, medications, diabetes status, prior treatments, and goals.
Foot, Ankle & Lower-Extremity Exam
A focused exam may include skin, nail, vascular, neurological, orthopedic, gait, and biomechanical assessment.
Testing When Needed
Depending on the concern, testing may include X-rays, vascular evaluation, lab work, biopsy, wound assessment, or other diagnostic steps.
Treatment Plan
Treatment may include education, medications, injections, wound care, diabetic shoes, orthotics, bracing, procedures, surgery, or referral when needed.
All Under One Roof
The Wigley Feet Approach
Wigley Feet uses a connected care model. Patients may begin with a podiatry evaluation and, when appropriate, be routed to diabetic foot care, wound care, diabetic shoes, peripheral nerve stimulation, pediatric foot care, surgical consultation, vascular evaluation, Julia's Touch Med Spa, or the Wigley Feet Store.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are unsure whether your concern is podiatry-related, start with the Wigley Feet Learning Center or request an appointment. Our team can help route you to the right care path.
(305) 895-9528This page is for educational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis, medical advice, or a guarantee of treatment. Podiatry services and surgical recommendations depend on examination, diagnosis, medical history, imaging, insurance requirements, clinical appropriateness, licensure, credentialing, and physician judgment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.