|
|
The Podiatric Advantage
The Podiatric Distinction/Advantage
The human foot and ankle is one of the most intricate and complex anatomical structures ever designed. Marrying the mechanical complexity and precision of a Swiss watch with the structural strength of a cantilever bridge, the human foot is a bioengineering masterpiece. It is a complex marvel of 26 bones (one-quarter of all the bones in the human body), 33 joints and more than 100 ligaments and tendons, all linked and served by a vast network of nerves, muscles, blood vessels, soft tissue and skin, working in unison to provide the support, strength, flexibility and resiliency needed for things most of us take for granted, such as balance, walking, running and jumping.
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is the foremost medical and surgical specialist of the foot and ankle and is the only medical specialist educated, trained, licensed, and certified for exclusive treatment of the foot and ankle.
Podiatric surgeons complete extensive hospital based training while working with other physicians including internists, orthopedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, infectious disease specialists, endocrinologists, pediatricians, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and rheumatologists among others. The curriculum parallels that of the MD or DO physician allowing podiatric physicians to become an integral member of the medical community and vital in the multidisciplinary management of many systemic diseases.
Podiatric surgeons provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions including common to complex disorders and injuries that affect children, adults and the elderly. They are uniquely qualified to detect the early stages of diseases that exhibit warning signs in the lower extremities, such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, and manage foot conditions which may pose an ongoing threat to a patient's overall health.
The diagnosis, intervention and treatment by podiatric physicians may save patients from amputation, restore mobility or prevent other serious, more costly problems, by early detection and appropriate treatment.
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 affecting people today.
Common foot and ankle conditions typically diagnosed and managed include but are not limited to ankle/foot sprains, fractures, heel pain/spurs, flatfoot, bunion and hammertoe deformities, neuromas, infections, ingrown toenails, warts and corns/calluses. Surgical procedures for more complex conditions, as well as diabetic wound care and limb salvage are often also performed.
Highlights:
Following a four-year undergraduate education, an additional four years are devoted to podiatric medical school. In addition to general medical courses, this graduate doctorate program includes a rigorous curriculum of didactic and clinical education, training and testing in such diverse areas as biomechanics, orthopedics, radiology, pathology, sports medicine, dermatology and surgery.
Residency training devoted exclusively to the foot and ankle with rotations in nearly all areas of medicine and surgery, working in conjunction with and training with physicians of a multitude of other specialties.
Depending on individual interests, some podiatric physicians obtain additional training in more focused specialization such as wound management/limb salvage, trauma and sports medicine. The latest trend with top podiatric surgeons is the aesthetic foot.
National licensing examinations and continuing education as mandated by the State of Pennsylvania ensure that the physician continues to educate themselves in the latest techniques and standards of care.
When to Call a Doctor
Please seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Persistent pain in your feet or ankles.
- Red, hot, swollen joints in the foot with severe pain and limping.
- Pain, redness or other noticeable change to your toenails.
- Pain, redness or other skin condition including severe cracking, scaling, or peeling.
- Blisters and/or sores on the feet or ankles.
- Signs of bacterial infection including: increased pain, redness, heat, red streaks extending from the affected area, discharge of pus.
- Fever of 100°F (37.78°C) or higher with no other cause.
- Symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment with a non-prescription product.
Any of the above AND you are diabetic, have poor circulation, are taking Coumadin (or other anticoagulants) or have any other systemic condition that places you at increased risk for lower extremity complications.
|
