What is Podiatry?
Podiatry is a field of medicine that strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons who practice on the lower extremities, primarily on feet and ankles. The preparatory education of most DPMs includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by four years in an accredited podiatric medical school, followed by a hospital-based residency.
The skills of podiatric physicians are in increasing demand because disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and neglected health problems.
What is a Podiatrist?
A specialist in foot and ankle care is known as a podiatrist or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Podiatrists receive intensive training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating foot and ankle health issues. Upon completion of an undergraduate degree, four years of college in a college of podiatric medicine and a postgraduate residency each podiatrist must successfully pass national and state examinations to receive licensure to practice as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
Certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery demonstrates extensive knowledge including general medical issues along with treatment and surgical management of trauma, disease, and deformities of the foot, ankle, and related structures.