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What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist, also called a doctor of
podiatric medicine, is a specialist who
provides medical diagnosis and treatment
of foot and ankle problems, including,
but not limited to sprains and
fractures, bunions, heel pain/spurs,
hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails,
warts, corns and calluses. A podiatrist
also renders care of sprains, fractures,
infections, and injuries of the foot,
ankle and heel.. In addition to
undergraduate medical school training,
podiatrists also attend graduate school
for a doctorate degree in podiatry.
Podiatrists are required to take state
and national exams, as well as be
licensed by the state in which they
practice.
According to the American Podiatric
Medical Association, there are more than
17,800 practicing podiatrists in the
United States. Podiatrists are in demand
more than ever today because of a
rapidly aging population. In addition,
according to the association, foot
disorders are among the most widespread
and neglected health problems affecting
people in this country.
Typically, podiatrists:
- Consult with the patient and
other physicians on how to prevent
foot problems.
- Diagnose and treat tumors,
ulcers, fractures, skin and nail
diseases, and deformities.
- Perform surgeries to correct or
remedy such problems as bunions,
clawtoes, fractures, hammertoes,
infections, and ruptured Achilles
and other ligaments and tendons.
- Prescribe therapies and perform
diagnostic procedures such as
ultrasound and lab tests.
- Prescribes or fits patients with
inserts called orthotics that
correct walking patterns.
- Treat conditions such as: bone
disorders, bunions, corns, calluses,
cysts, heel spurs, infections,
ingrown nails, and plantar
fasciitis.
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