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About Podiatrists
The podiatry
profession has undergone considerable growth and change in recent
years to outline the role of the podiatry profession in the
treatment of problems of the feet and lower limbs.
A podiatrist is
a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of
the feet and lower limbs.
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conditions podiatrists treat include 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 in-growing toenails. Foot
injuries and infections gained through sport or
other activities are also diagnosed and treated by
podiatrists.
To
become a podiatrists a practitioner must complete a
Bachelor’s Degree and be registered with state
podiatry registration boards. In Singapore all
qualified podiatrists are registered with the Podiatry
Association (Singapore) and can be identified
with a M.Pod.A (S'pore) accolade under their
qualification title.
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Some
areas in which podiatrists may develop a special interest
includes:
- Sports
medicine
- Biomechanics
- Paediatrics
- Surgery
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Footwear
- Orthotics
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The skills of a
podiatrist
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Podiatrists
diagnose and treat both common and more rare skin
and nail pathologies of the feet.
Podiatrists play an important role in
maintaining the mobility of many elderly and
disabled people, and others.
This achieved through the ongoing monitoring
of foot health, in particular of those with
circulation problems and diabetes.
Podiatrists are recognised as important
members of the health care team in preventing and
managing lower limb complications for those living
with diabetes.
A basic area of foot care undertaken by podiatrists
is the treatment of various acute and chronic nail
conditions, the treatment of which depends on the
pathology. Podiatrists
have specific instrumentation for painless and
effective treatment of these conditions.
For example, the surgical correction of
chronically ingrown toe nails under local
anaesthesia is a common podiatric procedure.
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| Basic
Foot Care
In
their undergraduate education podiatrists
learn to use a variety of modalities
including physical therapy and diagnostic
modalities such as x-rays.
Some of the common conditions treated
by podiatrists, and the methods of treatment
and assessment, are outlined in the
following pages.
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Treatment
and prevention of corns, calluses and warts are also common
podiatric procedures.
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