Podiatric medicine is a special branch of medicine that is devoted to the study of not only human movement, but also the diagnosis and care of the feet, ankles and lower leg.
A podiatrist is to the foot what a dentist is to your teeth, a specialist who has undergone a lengthy and thorough study of the anatomy of the foot.
They also know about the diseases and conditions that can cause problems with feet.
The foot, when you think about it, performs a very critical function in your body.
The feet are responsible for your ability to stand upright.
They are the primary reason that man can walk and run.
Their health and well-being are extremely important to retain your ability to freely move about.
The formal training of a foot doctor is similar to other physicians in that they are required to attend and master all the basics of their craft at a certified medical school.
But it generally doesn't stop there.
Most students will continue their training in related fields to broaden their knowledge base.
The other fields of study that are available can include geriatrics, sports medicine, physiology, human anatomy, and surgery.
A podiatrist, once graduated, has a career field that is literally wide open to them.
In addition to opening a private practice there are also opportunities to practice in public or private hospitals, long-term care facilities, in a medical school, or even in the armed forces.
The opportunities are so varied because of the rise of diseases that directly affect the feet and legs.
Many of these can be quite serious and in many cases a foot doctor is the first to see and diagnose them.
The diseases that are becoming more and more common and are first discovered seen in a foot exam include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and even kidney disease.
There are also minor conditions that affect the feet that are very common.
These aren't at all life threatening and can all be easily handled.
One of the most common is athlete's foot.
This is primarily a fungal infection that is extremely easy to contract.
Normally if you discover it there are over the counter remedies that can attack the fungus and get rid of it.
However, if the infection does not go away, it is important that you see a podiatrist to have the problem diagnosed and promptly treated.
Fungal infections can be extremely stubborn and become chronic if not taken care of properly.
Another common ailment that is fairly easy to treat is an ingrown toenail.
They can be caused by a congenital condition such as toenails that are just too large, but many times they occur because of improper nail trimming.
Once the toenail starts digging into the flesh, it's time to see a podiatrist.
These ingrown nails can not only be quite painful, but also make it impossible for you to get around.
They can also cause infections that if not treated promptly can spread and make you very ill.
The fastest and easiest way that a foot doctor will correct this problem is with a minor outpatient surgery to remove the ingrown nail.
A podiatrist is to the foot what a dentist is to your teeth, a specialist who has undergone a lengthy and thorough study of the anatomy of the foot.
They also know about the diseases and conditions that can cause problems with feet.
The foot, when you think about it, performs a very critical function in your body.
The feet are responsible for your ability to stand upright.
They are the primary reason that man can walk and run.
Their health and well-being are extremely important to retain your ability to freely move about.
The formal training of a foot doctor is similar to other physicians in that they are required to attend and master all the basics of their craft at a certified medical school.
But it generally doesn't stop there.
Most students will continue their training in related fields to broaden their knowledge base.
The other fields of study that are available can include geriatrics, sports medicine, physiology, human anatomy, and surgery.
A podiatrist, once graduated, has a career field that is literally wide open to them.
In addition to opening a private practice there are also opportunities to practice in public or private hospitals, long-term care facilities, in a medical school, or even in the armed forces.
The opportunities are so varied because of the rise of diseases that directly affect the feet and legs.
Many of these can be quite serious and in many cases a foot doctor is the first to see and diagnose them.
The diseases that are becoming more and more common and are first discovered seen in a foot exam include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and even kidney disease.
There are also minor conditions that affect the feet that are very common.
These aren't at all life threatening and can all be easily handled.
One of the most common is athlete's foot.
This is primarily a fungal infection that is extremely easy to contract.
Normally if you discover it there are over the counter remedies that can attack the fungus and get rid of it.
However, if the infection does not go away, it is important that you see a podiatrist to have the problem diagnosed and promptly treated.
Fungal infections can be extremely stubborn and become chronic if not taken care of properly.
Another common ailment that is fairly easy to treat is an ingrown toenail.
They can be caused by a congenital condition such as toenails that are just too large, but many times they occur because of improper nail trimming.
Once the toenail starts digging into the flesh, it's time to see a podiatrist.
These ingrown nails can not only be quite painful, but also make it impossible for you to get around.
They can also cause infections that if not treated promptly can spread and make you very ill.
The fastest and easiest way that a foot doctor will correct this problem is with a minor outpatient surgery to remove the ingrown nail.
SHARE
