What exactly is a podiatrist? A podiatrist medical professional who specializes in treatment and diagnosis of foot, ankle as well as lower leg injury as well as ailments. They can diagnose and treat various ankle and foot problems that include heel pain, bunions plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails fractures, sprains and fractures. Podiatrists can also perform surgeries, prescribe medication, and offer advice regarding foot and ankle health.
Introduction to Podiatry
Podiatry is a medical field that focuses on the treatment and diagnosis of conditions of the foot or ankle as well as the lower leg. It is an incredibly growing field that is attracting more professionals who are qualified. Podiatrists are among few medical professionals who are capable of diagnosing and treating problems that affect the lower extremities in all their parts.
Podiatrists have to complete the four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medical science, in addition to completing the residency in podiatric surgery and surgery. Podiatrists also need to pass a certification exam for board members to be certified as board certified.
What Does a Podiatrist Do?
Podiatrists treat and diagnose many conditions that affect the ankle, foot and the leg below. Common issues that a podiatrist treats include heel pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, toenails that are ingrown fractures, sprains and tendonitis. Podiatrists can also offer guidance on the proper care for your feet and ankles and foot hygiene, which includes proper foot care as well as orthotics and footwear.
In addition to treating certain conditions they can also perform surgeries or prescribe medications and send patients to specialists for treatment. Podiatrists are also certified in both physical therapy and biomechanical techniques, which allows them to offer non-surgical treatment for a wide range of ailments.
Education and Training Requirements
To become a podiatrist one must first finish an entire four-year doctoral course that focuses on podiatric medical treatment. In this course students will develop an extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology that affects the ankle, foot and lower leg in addition to the treatment and diagnosis of a range of medical diseases. After completing the doctoral program podiatrists are required to complete a 2-year residency in podiatric medicine as well as surgery. After completing their residency program, doctors need to take the exam for board certification to be certified as board certified.
Podiatry Specialties
In addition to the standard practice of podiatry there are many subspecialties in the field. This includes Geriatric and sports podiatry orthopedic podiatry for children and wound treatment. Podiatrists with a specialization in sports medicine concentrate on prevention of, diagnosis, and management of injury due to sports. Podiatrists with a specialization in treating conditions that are a result of ageing, including diabetes and arthritis foot care. Pediatric podiatrists focus on the treatment and diagnosis of diseases that affect children. Orthopedic podiatrists are experts in the treatment of conditions of the musculoskeletal body, like sprains and fractures. Additionally the wound care podiatrists are experts in treating wounds, ulcers and infections.
Conditions Treated by a Podiatrist
Podiatrists identify and manage a range of ailments that affect the foot the ankle, foot, and lower leg. The most common conditions treated are bunions and the heel, painful nails, fractures, plantar fasciitis tendonitis and sprains. Podiatrists also offer advice on the proper care for your feet and ankles as well as proper foot hygiene orthotics, footwear, and foot hygiene.
Apart from treating ailments that require surgery, podiatrists are able to perform surgeries or prescribe medication, as well as send patients to specialists for treatment. Podiatrists also have training in physical and biomechanical methods, enabling them to offer non-surgical treatment for a wide range of ailments.
Benefits of Being a Podiatrist
Being a podiatrist has many advantages, both professionally and financially. Podiatrists are in great demand and are expected to grow at a to 21 per cent until 2026. Podiatrists also earn a decent salary with an average annual income of $143,000 per annum.
Another advantage of becoming a podiatrist is that you are able to improve life of the patients. Podiatrists can provide relief from painful foot ankle, foot, and lower leg problems, and can provide patients with a better living conditions.
Job Outlook and Salary
Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for employment for podiatrists is projected to rise at the rate of 21 percent until 2026. This is significantly higher than the general average for all professions. The median wage for podiatrists is $143,000 per year.
Common Podiatrist Treatments
The most common treatments provided by a podiatrist are strengthening and stretching exercises, orthotics, as well as lifestyle changes. Podiatrists might also prescribe medication, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, which can help reduce swelling and pain. In more serious cases, podiatrists might recommend surgery or other therapies.
Conclusion
Podiatrists are doctors of medicine with a specialization in treatment and diagnosis of ankle, foot, as well as lower leg injury as well as ailments. Podiatrists are required to finish a doctorate program lasting four years.
A gram of podiatric medicine, and two years of podiatric surgery and medicine. Podiatrists can diagnose and treat various ailments, such as bunions, heels pain and ingrown toenails fractures, plantar fasciitis and injuries. Podiatrists are also able to provide assistance on the correct treatment of ankle and foot problems or perform surgeries, and prescribe medication.
A career as a podiatrist can provide range of advantages both financially and professionally. The employment outlook for podiatrists is predicted to increase at a increase of around 21 per cent from 2026. In addition, the median wage for podiatrists is $143,000 per year.
If you’re interested in becoming a podiatrist, then you must be ready to commit to a rigorous education program. But the benefits of becoming a podiatrist can be important, since you’ll be able to make a an impact on people’s lives.
If you have any concerns regarding what a podiatrist is or would like to become a podiatrist in the future, we recommend to speak with an area podiatrist.
