A Podiatrist is a specialist in the medical, biomechanical, and surgical treatment of diseases in the foot and ankle.  In the United States, the podiatrist is licensed as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine or D.P.M.  Training of a podiatrist requires attendance in a four year Podiatry Medical School program.  In addition, further training of up to 2 to 3 years of residency training in an accredited hospital or university institution.  Many podiatry medical schools are affiliated with medical school programs.  There are approximately eight podiatric medical schools in the United States.  They are located in California, Arizona, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Entrance into a college of podiatric medicine requires at least 90 semester hours of college credit at an accredited institution.  The actual minimum semester credit hour requirements for all colleges of podiatric medicine include the following prerequisites according the American association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine.  These courses include biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English.  Most of these courses require between 8 to 12 semester hours depending on the podiatric medical school with laboratory courses included.

The podiatrist medical education is focused on the medical, biomechanical, and surgical aspects of treatment of the foot and ankle.  Rotations in various specialties are integrated with their training including vascular surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, radiology, pathology, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, psychology, endocrinology, plastic surgery, and neurology.  By learning all aspects of human body the podiatrist is well suited to recognize medical symptoms vital to obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment regime.

Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Podiatrists practice in individual or group practices.  Hospital and surgical center affiliation and credentialing may be obtained in order for the podiatrist to perform medical and surgical procedures.  In addition, podiatrists may also work with HMOs, PPOs, Extended care facilities, health professional schools, Veterans affairs departments, Municipal health departments, and the Public health service department.

Podiatrists strive to become board certified in their specialty that are classified under board certified in primary podiatric medicine and biomechanics, podiatric foot surgery, podiatric reconstructive rear foot surgery, and diabetes prevention and treatment of the diabetic foot wounds and foot wear.  Podiatric board certification requires the graduation from an accredited podiatric medical school, completion of an approved podiatry residency, practice experience by years, case submissions, and passing a written, computer based, and oral examination.  In addition, CME (continuing medical education) is essential and mandatory in many states in which podiatrists are required to obtain up to 50 hours of education a year to expand their knowledge and learn new techniques.

Podiatrists treat a vast array of medical problems in their daily practice.  Many podiatrists work in the office or clinic, hospital, and surgical setting.  They treat patients with pathology as heel pain (plantar fasciitis), ingrown toenail infection, onychomycosis (fungal nails), dry skin, athletes foot, fractures of the foot or ankle, plantars warts, flatfeet, tendon ruptures and tendonitis, arthritis, gout, neuroma (Mortons neuroma), soft tissue masses, running injuries, varicose veins, nerve disorders (as tarsal tunnel syndrome), hammertoes (corns and calluses), bunions, tailors bunions (bunionettes), diabetic foot care and ulcerations, pediatric heel pain, cellulites.

The podiatric patient may not only have foot and ankle pathology but also related medical diseases as diabetes, parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis that may contribute to the foot and ankle disease and requires a team of other medical specialties for complete health care.   The team approach in the care of the medical patient may require consultations or treatment by internal medicine, vascular, endocrinology, eye doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, dieticians, and many other specialties depending on the diagnosis.

Podiatrists not only treat patients medically but also surgically when indicated.

They use a vast array of surgical equipment as surgical screws and plates called internal fixation, external fixation devices as mini and large ring fixators, bone grafts, skin grafts, joint implants for the toes, ankles, or subtalar joint, arthroscopy equipment,

And Endoscopy equipment.  There are continuing innovations medical and surgical field for the care of the podiatric patient.

Diagnostic tests are also ordered by the podiatrist in order to obtain the most accurate diagnosis.  Some equipment may be in the office as the X-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, tuning fork, vascular testing equipment, and neurological testing equipment.  Other tests ordered may be performed at other facilities as the CT scan, MRI, flouroscan, bone scan, blood work, and some vascular and neurological exams.  These diagnostic measurements are important in the diagnosis of the podiatric patient.

The podiatrist treatment regime may consist of performing conservative care or surgical care.  The podiatrist is able to prescribe medications, perform manipulations of the foot and ankle, casting for broken bones, casting for custom orthotics, injections, physical therapy, debridement of tissue and toenails.  The podiatrist surgical care is also well rounded that may include ingrown toenail surgery, wart removal, bunion, hammertoes, diabetic debridement, amputations, external fixation devices, fracture and dislocation repair, reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, ankle arthroscopy.  The podiatrist is a well rounded medical professional and is important in the health care effort in providing patients with long term health and activity.

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