Common Myths About Podiatrists
No longer a trade that simply treats calluses, toenails, and corns, podiatry has become the branch of medicine with the most expertise in foot and ankle medicine and surgery. This article will discuss common myths about podiatry, and the nature of this specialty in 2010.
Myth # 1: Podiatrists only go to school for two years.
After graduating from a four year undergraduate university, podiatrists go to school just as long as a medical doctor (MD), or doctor of osteopathy (DO). The difference begins in the third year, where podiatry students begin to develop experience in foot and ankle medicine. Upon graduating, new podiatrists become hospital-based resident physicians for two to three years, learning advanced medical and surgical techniques, and usually are tasked with the same responsibilities as MD and DO interns and residents in those institutions.
Myth # 2: Podiatrist mainly treat nails and calluses
There was a time in the former half of the last century that podiatrists (then known as chiropodists) strictly treated nails, calluses, and simple foot pain. That time has long since passed. For the last forty years, podiatrists have treated every condition that could possibly affect the foot and ankle, from hammertoes and bunions, to serious infections and fractures, and even severe birth deformities. Podiatrists treat skin disorders, bone disorders, nerve disorders, injuries, and even have a role in circulation disorders. And yes, they even still treat toe nail disease and calluses and corns.
Myth # 3: Podiatrists do not perform surgery
They become board certified in foot surgery, and American podiatrists are recognized world-wide as the experts in foot and ankle surgery. Podiatrists employ traditional orthopedic surgical techniques, and also pioneer procedures unique to the specialty to advance modern foot and ankle surgical knowledge. Podiatrists perform routine corrective surgery, but also serve on trauma teams and save lives with aggressive surgical intervention in diabetic foot infections.
Myth # 4: Podiatrists use expensive shoe inserts to treat everything.
Part of the unique advantages of a podiatrist over another specialist who has cross-treatment of foot problems is the podiatrist's education and understanding of the field of biomechanics. Part of a podiatrist's education is understanding this relationship, how it factors into foot disease and injury, and how it can be manipulated to prevent injury and disease. Since many common foot injuries are related to excessive foot flattening, or less commonly a high arch, orthotics have a role in preventing and stabilizing that disease process.
Myth # 5: "Bone doctors" are better trained to treat foot injuries than podiatrists.
Orthopedic surgeons share with podiatrists treatment of many of the same conditions that involve the foot and ankle. However, most general orthopedic surgeons are not as specially trained in foot and ankle medicine and surgery as modern podiatrists, with most of their experience lying within the scope of trauma and fracture care. While orthopedic surgeons are highly trained specialists who excel in treating all other areas of the body, they have less training in elective foot reconstruction, non-surgical treatment of the foot, and foot biomechanics. There are orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the foot and ankle, with click here more fellowship training and experience. However, these fellowships are short compared with a typical podiatry residency, and emphasize surgical treatment over non-surgical treatment. By contrast, most podiatrists practice a mix of non-surgical medical therapy and surgical intervention, and have established themselves as the first line specialist for foot and ankle conditions due to their comprehensive training and breadth of treatment capabilities.
By understanding the role that podiatrists play in modern medicine, old myths about who provides foot care can be dispelled, and patients seeking expert care of the foot and ankle can find the appropriate physician to provide that treatment.
They become board certified in foot surgery, and American podiatrists are recognized world-wide as the experts in foot and ankle surgery. Part of the unique advantages of a podiatrist over another specialist who has cross-treatment of foot problems is the podiatrist's education and understanding of the field of biomechanics. Since many common foot injuries are related to excessive foot flattening, or less commonly a high arch, orthotics have a role in stabilizing and preventing that disease process. Most general orthopedic surgeons are not as specially trained in foot and ankle medicine and surgery as modern podiatrists, with most of their experience lying within the scope of trauma and fracture care. While orthopedic surgeons are highly trained specialists who excel in treating all other areas of the body, they have less training in elective foot reconstruction, non-surgical treatment of the foot, and foot biomechanics.