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oldbear
05-18-2012, 01:39
Hey guys
As the title would suggest I need to find a podiatrist who understands the realities of hiking and who could work w/ me on making my surgically repaired left foot as hikeable as possible
Down the road it might not be a bad a idea to create a database of healthcare professionals who hike
Right now I'm living on the West Coast of Florida But I get into NYC to visit friends and family a couple of times a year
Thanks for your help

kayak karl
05-18-2012, 07:39
my podiatrist at the Salem County Clinic in NJ hiked a 400 mile section. after graduation 4 of them hiked. he said he learned a more in that month then 6 yrs college :)

Jeff
05-18-2012, 08:15
Anyone hiking with foot problems and passing thru Manchester Ctr, Vermont needs to stop at The Mountain Goat Outfitters. The owner, Ron Houser is a certified pedorthist and has made hundreds of thruhikers and section hikers with foot issues much happier. Call ahead and make an appointment. Ron will diagnose your problem and recommend some excellent solutions.

BobTheBuilder
05-18-2012, 08:55
Podiatrists are not medical doctors. In my experience, if you want a foot rub or a shot of cortisone, they're great, but if you need medical advice, see a medical doctor.

Snowleopard
05-18-2012, 22:55
Check with running clubs in your area; runners have foot problems similar to hikers. My podiatrist is an ultramarathoner (in Worcester, MA). Use somebody close to home. There are a lot of adjustments that can be made with orthotics and other appliances interacting with the choice of shoe. In your case, you probably want someone who is a podiatric surgeon who is not knife happy.

miloandotis
05-18-2012, 23:03
Podiatrists are not medical doctors. In my experience, if you want a foot rub or a shot of cortisone, they're great, but if you need medical advice, see a medical doctor.

Sorry you have had poor experiences. But like any other specialty you will find good and bad. No, podiatrists are not GENERAL medical doctors, but they are a specialty. DPM-Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. They went through a four year program as required by all physicians followed by a 24-26 month residency program that includes surgical rotation. Sorry to go on a tangent but I don't like generalizations and DPMs are more than just massage therapists. (and there are good and bad ones of them, too)

leaftye
05-18-2012, 23:18
If I want worthless medical care, I'll see any doctor that's not a specialist. A medical degree isn't worth much when it comes to specific injuries. In my experience, a few minutes on the Internet is worth more, in some cases, MUCH more. Knowing the specific subject matter and having earned a good reputation in the field is worth orders of magnitude more.

rocketsocks
05-18-2012, 23:34
My first set of scripted molded insoles,didn't last that long before showing signs of wear.After I explainded that I walk.......I walk a lot,she beefed up the way in which they were constructed,and so far I've got about 300 miles on this pair with not much wear on them.When you find a good doctor,hold on tight,cause there are few and far between,who really truley care when it comes right down to it.