A branch of medicine, Podiatric medicine or podiatry is dedicated to the study, identification and treatment of disorders of the ankle, foot and lower edges. Podiatric is practiced as professionalism all around the world. It is basically the surgical treatment of the ankle, foot and lower extremities which is undertaken by qualified and specialist podiatrists. This type of surgery is planned to correct the defects on ankle and foot areas.
What Does a Podiatrist Treat?
The podiatrists are specially trained to treat various foot problems. A list of some common conditions of podiatry that has been treated is prepared. This type of treatment differs from man to man depending on the nature of the foot condition. Such as:
- Painful feet
- Blisters
- Abnormal pattern of walking
- Arthritis which include both Rheumatic Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
- Painful legs
- Arch pain
- Athlete’s foot
- Ankle pain
- Bursitis
- Claw toes
- Hallux abducto Valgus or Bunions
- Calluses
- Cracked heels
- Growing pains
- Corns
- Heel spurs and pain
- Fungus
- Diabetes
- Hammer toes
- Flat feet
- Fungal nails
- Infections
- Sports injuries
- Lower back pain
- Hip pain
- Out toe gait
- High arched feet
- Numbness
- Metatarsalgia
- Ingrown toe nails
- Neuromas
- Intoe gait
- Osgood Schlatter’s disease skin pain
- Postural instability
- Running injuries
- Stress fractures
- Trauma
- Sprains
- Tendonitis
- Plantar wrats
- Tripping
How to Cure These Various Foot and Leg Problems?
There are different types of treatment undertaken by a podiatrist for treating such types of leg and foot problems. There are numerous methods with the latest techniques available for podiatrist to use them to treat this disease. The problem is first diagnosed properly before any treatment is given to the patient.
Responsibilities of Podiatrists
The podiatrists work with a wide variety of patients and may sometimes provide nonprescription medicine for minor conditions followed by some extra treatment such as:
- Prescription medications
- Exercise therapies
- Orthotics
- Specialised dressings
- Cryotherapy
- Ultrasonics
- Electro surgery
Duties and Responsibilities of a Podiatrist Are as Follows:
- Make a diagnosis, evaluate and treat the diseases related to the leg and lower limb in different age groups of people
- Offer treatment to elder patients with high risk and those who are in the risk zone of amputation
- To give advice and make appropriate recommendation
- Use of surgical and therapeutic methods for treating lower legs and foot problems
- Recommend, fit orthotics to the patients and other appliances and aids
- Convey education on foot health
- In order to protect, restore and build up movement they will have to understand how body works properly
- Work with sports people in order to tackle all kinds of sports related injuries to the legs
- Use equipment such as surgical instruments, x-ray and video gait examination equipment, dressings, orthotic materials, grinders, lasers etc.
What Skills Should a Podiatrist Have?
In order to be successful in this field, a podiatrist should be:
- Good listener and must have a good communication skill so that he can explain things well and in a simple manner
- He should be calm and understanding so that he can deal with patients easily
- Sympathetic and caring in nature
The work of a podiatrist is to diagnose and take preventive measures to cure the leg problem that is affecting the ankle, feet and the lower legs. This can include injuries and defects, infections as well as nail and foot conditions related to other health disorders.
