A Podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in foot. They are capable of treating foot ulcers, nerve breakage, and sport-related injuries.
Podiatrists also attend podiatric medical institutions to serve as specialists. They also undergo several years of clinical training in hospitals and private clinics.
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Podiatrist: Who are they?
A Podiatrist is a medical professional who treats and diagnoses issues that are related to feet. Some experts can even treat lower body issues and ankle injuries.
However, their study involves treating the lower extreme points like the feet.
They Too Need to gain experience via offering residential service in healthcare centers and hospitals. Plus, they have to pass numerous board exams to continue their clinical practice.
Podiatrists are experts in various fields; some conditions that they treat are:
- Foot injuries like fractured ankles or broken bones, also strain, and sprain is treated by them.
- Foot disorders inflicted due to diabetes such as chronic ulcers, neuropathy, and ulcers.
- They also treat common skin conditions like athlete’s foot, corns, dermatosis, etc.
Required education to qualify as a Podiatrist
For Foot & sole podiatry, individuals must complete the below-mentioned education requirement.
- 4-year undergraduate degree
- 4 year DPM ( Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) degree
- 3-year resident training
- Certification from the national board
- State medical license to start clinical practice
After completing their residency training, podiatrists need to undergo a fellowship program to specialize in a specific podiatric field. During the fellowship, they get the on-hand experience of the sub-specialty, but they need to pass certification papers to authorize the specialty.
Podiatrist field of treatment
Podiatrists treat numerous foot issues like general physicians. Some of them specialize in specific podiatric fields like sports injuries.
Some other specialties are:
- Pediatric care
- Diabetes inflicted foot issues
- Reconstructive or general surgery
- Neurological Foot disorders\
- Geriatric care
- Orthotics
- Inflammatory issues
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How do they diagnose?
The diagnosis process begins with reflecting on patients’ medical history. Then a general physical examination is conducted. They will check for visible abnormalities like discoloration or swelling during this time. They might even ask the patient to move slightly to see its range of motion.
Focusing on their initial findings, they will further ask for additional tests before concluding on a diagnosis. Podiatrists can ask these below-mentioned tests:
- Blood test- A blood test is generally performed to check if there is an infection or autoimmune disease currently present in the system.
- Electromyography- EMG measures responses inflicted by muscle impulse. Abnormal EMG finding indicates nerve issues and can help a podiatrist to treat you.
- Quantitative sensory test- This test is used to diagnose hypersensitivity and diabetic neuropathy. This sensory test employs a computer system that records how the nerves react to temperature fluctuation and vibrations.
Final Words
Podiatrists need to complete extensive research and training programs before starting out. They acquire an in-depth understanding of physiology and human anatomy from accredited podiatric institutions. So, if you are facing issues with your lower limb, now you know where to go!
