What is a Podiatrist?

According to the American Heritage dictionary podiatry is "the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the human foot. Also called chiropody." While this definition is limited to its Greek roots, podiatry encompasses treatment of the 'anatomical' leg. "Anatomical leg?" you ask.
In anatomy the anatomical leg begins just below the knee joint at the tibial tuberosity and includes the foot. The area between the knee joint and the pelvis is referred to as the thigh. However, we generally refer to the lower appendage of the human body as "the leg."
In each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico a podiatrist's scope of practice can be different. In some states podiatrist's can only diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of the foot not including the ankle while in some states this extends, as previously mentioned, up to but not including the knee. As a general rule of thumb, podiatrist's diagnose, prevent, and treat medically and surgically diseases of the foot and ankle.
Podiatric Medical School is 4 years just like MD or DO schools. Our course of study is the same with Podiatry incorporating a strong emphasis in biomechanics of the lower extremity. Therefore, podiatry uses strappings or custom molded orthotics (also called inserts) as treatment modalities. Graduates do either 2 or 3 year residences in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and have their own certifying boards in medicine, surgery or both.
Podiatry is also somewhat of an autonomous medical specialty. Most podiatrist's have their own x-ray equipment and can therefore take and read x-rays right in their office. We see a broad range of patients in terms of age and I personally see patients as young as 6 months old and I have one patient who is 103. We treat dermatological problems from simple warts and fungal infections to cancerous lesions of the skin. Of course, podiatry plays a great role in care of diabetic patient's and work in conjunction with other medical professionals.
So the next time you have a concern about your 'leg' check your yellow pages or the Internet for a podiatrist close to you.

"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS