Podiatrists, or chiropodists, specialize in foot, ankle, and lower leg care. They diagnose and treat various ailments and may work in hospitals, clinics, or visit other institutions. Podiatrists must follow an academic path similar to other physicians, obtain board certification and state licenses. Specialties include pediatric care, non-surgical orthopedics, and surgical work.
Podiatrists, also known as chiropodists, are doctors who specialize in the foot, ankle, and lower leg — simply put, a foot doctor. While podiatrist is a more common term in North America, podiatrist is used more often in the UK. The terms refer to the same thing. Podiatrists see patients of all ages, from children to the elderly, and can diagnose and treat a variety of ailments. Usually working in a hospital or clinic, podiatrists may also visit nursing homes, schools, and other institutions to provide medical care.
There are many reasons to visit a podiatrist. Children with foot deformities or the inability to walk properly, dancers with stress injuries, diabetics with poor circulation, and athletes may all need a podiatrist at one point or another. Bunions, warts, persistent calluses, or swollen ankles could also lead someone to the podiatrist’s office.
In the United States, podiatrists must follow a similar academic path as other physicians. Typically, this consists of an undergraduate degree followed by four years in a doctoral program, capped by two or more years of residency. A podiatrist carries the title, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
Podiatrists can have one to three board certifications. The most basic Board certification indicates a non-surgical classification, the second Board certification is for surgical reconstruction of the foot, and the third specializes in surgical reconstruction related to the back of the foot and ankle. Certifications affect the length of residency, while surgical certifications require a longer period. In addition to the residency practice cases, board certification for the podiatrist involves rigorous written and oral exams.
In addition to board certification, a podiatrist must obtain a state license for each state in which he practices. Laws differ between states as to whether, for example, a podiatrist is licensed to perform surgery on the lower legs. In some states, this falls within the purview of the podiatrist, while other states have more restrictive laws.
Podiatry specialties include pediatric care, non-surgical orthopedics, and practices that revolve solely around surgical work. All of these can be fulfilling career paths. As of 2006, there are eight colleges of podiatry in the United States, regulated by the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM).
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