Podiatry.

Abstract

Career Description The human foot is a complex structure. It contains 26 bones—plus muscles, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels—and is designed for balance and mobility. The 52 bones in the feet make up about one fourth of all the bones in the human body. Podiatrists, also known as doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs), specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders, diseases, and injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Podiatrists treat ingrown toenails, bunions, heel spurs, corns, calluses, and arch problems, ankle and foot injuries, deformities, and infections, wound care, including ulcerations, and foot complaints associated with diseases such as diabetes. To treat these problems, podiatrists prescribe drugs, order physical therapy, set fractures, and perform surgery. They also fit and prescribe corrective inserts called custom foot orthoses, apply plaster casts and strappings to correct deformities, and prescribe diabetic and custom-made shoes. To diagnose a foot problem, podiatrists order x-rays, other radiology studies including MRIs, CTs and ultrasound exams, and laboratory tests. The foot may be the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. For example, patients with diabetes are prone to foot ulcers and infections due to poor circulation. Podiatrists consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners for management of the underlying disease when they detect symptoms of these disorders.