| Podiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis
and treatment of foot disorders. Podiatrists are physicians
of the foot trained in the medical and surgical alleviation
and correction of foot problems.
Podiatry originated along with dermatology and dentistry
as part of cosmetology, the external care of the body.
Chiriatry (care of the hands) and podiatry (care of the
feet) eventually became combined to form chiropody. This
designation held until the 20th century. The term chiropody
has not been used in America for more than 30 years,
although it is still used in the United Kingdom.
Proper foot care is essential to healthy, painless feet, and
should be as much a part of your daily routine as brushing
your teeth. It's never too early or too late to start caring
for your feet, and there's a lot you can do for yourself.
Our feet help us balance, and carry us the equivalent of
five times around the earth in an average lifetime. In
return, we rarely give them the attention they deserve,
hiding them away in shoes and forgetting about them… until
they rebel.
Along with our eyes and hands, your feet do more work than
most parts of our body, so it's little wonder that things
sometimes go wrong. Our feet are also mirrors of our general
health. Signs of diabetes, arthritis, circulatory and
neurological diseases, often appear first in the feet.
A visit to your podiatrist should be a pleasurable
experience. In most cases, a podiatrist can provide you with
immediate relief of pain. You should walk out of his or her
office feeling better than when you came in.
Entering the office you will probably be met by a
receptionist who will ask you to fill out an introductory
form and may ask you some questions about your previous
health history. Try to be as thorough as possible in
answering these questions. The more information you provide
the doctor, the easier it will be for him or her to make a
proper diagnosis. You'll probably be asked about any
medicines you may take, allergies you may have, and about
previous surgery. Some patients ask, "What do these
questions have to do with my feet? I only have a case of
athlete's foot!" Your answers are important. The foot is not
autonomous from the rest of the body. Your "athlete's foot"
may in fact be a allergic reaction.
The more information you provide the doctor about your feet
and the rest of your body, the better he or she will be able
to diagnose and treat your condition. The pain in your big
toe may be a manifestation of the metabolic disease known as
gout. Often a podiatrist is the first to diagnose systemic
diseases such as diabetes and congestive heart failure.
A Podiatrist is by definition a "Physician of the foot", the
profession has grown from the "Corn Cutters" who predate the
17th century to the "Chiropodist" who prior to 1912 learned
their trade by serving under a proceptor.
The American Medical Association formally recognized
Podiatry in 1939, and since this time the profession has
grown rapidly. The modern specialty of Podiatric Medicine
and Surgery requires a minimum of three years of college
education and completion of the M.C.A.T. (Medical College
Admission Test) before an applicant will be considered for
acceptance to one of the seven colleges of Podiatric
Medicine.
The training for the student of Podiatric Medicine includes
studies in the basic medical sciences (i.e., Anatomy,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Physiology, etc.) There is, of
course, more emphasis on those areas reflective of the human
lower extremity in normal and abnormal form and function.
Diagnosis and treatment skills are developed in the third
and fourth years in the clinical and hospital setting. The
basics of surgery are also learned during this period.
In addition to the many examinations taken over the four
years, the required National Board Examinations test the
collective knowledge of each student prior to their
graduation. The graduate receives the degree of D.P.M. or
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Many states now require post
doctoral training (Residencies) before sitting for the state
examination. The Residency is usually one full year of
hospital based training. In addition, continuing medical
education credits are required annually to maintain state
licensure as well as hospital staff privileges.
Board Certification is an option provided the Podiatrist so
he may show proficiency in specialty areas. Two such Boards
recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association are
the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary
Podiatric Care, and the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. |