Podiatry, more appropriately "podiatric medicine" is a field of healthcare devoted to the study and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and the knee, leg and hip (collectively known as the lower extremity). The range of disorders podiatry can address largely depends on the scope of practice laid down in national, state, and/or provincial jurisdiction.
A podiatrist, (pronounced "poh-dye-eh-trist") or foot doctor is a podiatric professional, a person devoted to the study and medical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English speaking world for podiatric medical school graduates: Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.).
Scope of practiceThe differences in podiatric medical and surgical practice are determined by state law. Podiatrists are often defined as physicians in most States. Each state allows or limits the practice of podiatric medicine to the foot, ankle, and in many States, portions of the leg or related leg structures.
This may include surgery above the ankle and leg in 44 states. Most states require completion of a residency or a post-graduate training to practice. Most podiatric surgeons work in surgery centers or hospitals performing both medical and surgical treatments for patients. As in many other specialties, some podiatrists work in nursing homes and some perform house calls for patients. Podiatric patients range from newborns and infants to the geriatric.
Medical and orthopedic practiceSome podiatrists limit their practices to the non-(hospital) surgical treatment of patients. Because much work in podiatric medicine and surgery involves cutting of some kind, many procedures are considered surgical by insurance companies including tasks such as the cutting of nails, removing of corns or callus, which the general public would not ordinarily consider to be surgery. These podiatrists use their skills in handling arthritic, diabetic, and other medical problems associated with the feet and lower extremities. Some use devices fitted in shoes (orthotics) or modify the shoe itself to make walking better or easier. Some practices focus on sports medicine and treat many runners, dancers, soccer players, and other athletes.
Surgical practiceWithin the scope of practice, podiatrists are the experts at foot, ankle & related leg structures surgery. Some podiatrists have primarily surgical practices. Some specialists complete additional fellowship training in reconstruction of the foot, ankle and leg. Many podiatric surgeons specialize in minimally invasive percutaneous surgery. Most podiatrists utilize medical, orthopedic, biomechanical and surgical practices. Indeed, surgical podiatric principles rest on a base of orthopedic and kinesthetic knowledge.
Job opportunities and salaryThe US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the need for podiatrists to rise, but slowly because podiatrists tend to have long careers before retirement. The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) reported in 2006, the average salary for a practicing podiatrist in the United States in 2005 was approximately $130,000-$250,000.
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