Podiatrist, also known as a podiatric physician, or 'foot doctor' is a medical professional, a physician devoted to the study and medical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity.
Podiatrists treat a wide variety of foot and lower extremity conditions, through nonsurgical and surgical approaches.
Podiatric surgery is defined as ?the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related lower extremity structures by accredited and qualified specialist podiatrists?. Podiatric surgeons are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. Podiatric surgeons are qualified to care for bone, joint, ligament, muscle and tendon pathology of the foot and ankle, such as:
- Structural deformities, including bunions, hammertoes, painful flat foot and high arch deformity, bone spurs.
- Heel pain.
- Nerve entrapments.
- Degeneration and arthrosis of the joints of the foot and ankle.
- Skin and nail conditions.
- Congenital deformities.
- Trauma-related injuries, including fracture and dislocations and post traumatic arthrosis.
Podiatrists roles include the conditions those resulting from bone and joint disorders such as arthritis and soft-tissue and muscular pathologies as well as neurological and circulatory diseases. Podiatrists are also able to diagnose and treat any complications of the above which affect the lower limb, including skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. Foot injuries and infections gained through sport or other activities are also diagnosed and treated by podiatrists.
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