Podiatry

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
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Introduction

Podiatry

Podiatry is a specialized field within healthcare dedicated to the comprehensive study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders associated with the foot, ankle, and in some cases, extending up to the knee, leg, and hip. Collectively, these areas are referred to as the lower extremity. The capacity of podiatry to manage various disorders of the lower extremity largely hinges on the established scope of practice, which may vary based on national, state, or provincial jurisdiction.

Podiatric surgery

In recent times, the importance and recognition of podiatry as a medical specialty have grown across the globe. Yet, its roots and significant presence are primarily in the United States, where it evolved from traditional chiropody and expanded to incorporate a more holistic and, when required, surgical methodology in treating lower extremity ailments.

For a more detailed understanding of podiatry as a profession, please see podiatrist.

An Australian perspective on the history of podiatry is available at A History of Podiatry.

Dealing with a feminine feet

Anatomy and Physiology

Podiatry delves deep into the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of several key areas:

Foot Care Dry & Inspect Feet

Foot Problems Bunion & Ulcer

Podiatric surgery

Foot Care Fitting Shoes

US Navy 100811-N-8361C-002 Dr. Dawn Bell explains the importance of proper foot care to a group of diabetic children

Foot Care Foot Massage

• Foot
• Ankle
• Toe

Skin Disorders

The skin of the foot can develop various conditions, including:

• Athlete's foot: A fungal infection.
• Callus and Corns of the Skin: Thickened skin from friction.
• Onychocryptosis (Ingrown Toenail)
• Keratosis palmaris et plantaris: Thickening of the skin on the palms and soles.

Joint Disorders

Joint abnormalities in the foot include:

• Hallux valgus (bunion): A bump at the base of the big toe.
• Hallux varus: Opposite of a bunion, with the big toe deviating away from the midline.

Bone Disorders

Problems can arise in the bones of the foot and ankle:

• Fracture
• Osteomyelitis: Bone infection.

Nerve Disorders

Nerve-related conditions of the foot:

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Neuroma
• Nerve entrapment
• Metatarsalgia: Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.

Combined Disorders

• Pes cavus (Cavus foot): A high-arched foot.
• Club foot: A congenital foot deformity.

Genetic Disorders

Some foot and ankle disorders are inherited:

• Polydactyly: Presence of extra fingers or toes.

Systemic Disease Manifestations

Conditions that are manifestations of systemic diseases:

• Diabetic foot
• Rheumatoid foot

Common Complicating Factors

• High heels: Footwear that can contribute to various foot disorders.

Tests and Procedures

Podiatrists are equipped to diagnose and treat a multitude of foot and ankle conditions. This includes:

• Common ailments like calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, and arthritis.
• Dealing with congenital foot deformities and problems with the arch of the foot.
• Providing specialized care for foot and leg issues that arise from diabetes, which includes diabetes foot care.
• Performing surgeries like foot and ankle reconstruction.
• Some practitioners further specialize in fields like sports medicine, pediatrics, or diabetic foot care.
• Through tools like physical exams, x rays, and laboratory tests, podiatrists are able to diagnose problems related to the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
• They also prescribe therapeutic interventions like custom shoe inserts (orthotics) to enhance mobility.

List of Podiatrists (USA)

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

US territories

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• District of Columbia

Glossary of Podiatry Terms

This glossary provides a comprehensive list of common terms and concepts related to the field of podiatry.

A

• Achilles bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa sac located near the Achilles tendon.
• Ainhum: A rare condition characterized by the constriction and autoamputation of a toe.
• Athlete's foot: A fungal infection of the skin on the feet, causing itching and discomfort.

B

• Bilateral lower extremity inflammatory lymphedema: Swelling and inflammation in both lower limbs.
• Blue toe syndrome: A condition characterized by sudden discoloration and pain in a toe.
• Brachymetatarsia: A condition characterized by abnormally short metatarsal bones.
• Bunion: A painful bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe.
• Burning feet syndrome: A condition characterized by a burning sensation in the soles of the feet.

C

• Callus: Thickened and hardened skin, typically found on the soles of the feet.
• Chilblains: Painful skin lesions caused by exposure to cold and humidity.
• Corn (pathology): A small, painful area of thickened skin, often found on or between the toes.
• Custom-made medical device: Devices specifically tailored to an individual's medical needs.

D

• Diabetic foot: Foot complications arising from diabetes, often requiring specialized care.
• Diabetic foot ulcer: A chronic wound on the foot of a person with diabetes.
• Diseases of the foot: Various medical conditions and disorders affecting the feet.
• Dorn method: A form of manual therapy used to treat musculoskeletal issues.

E

• Equinovalgus: A foot deformity characterized by both inward turning and twisting of the foot.

F

• Forensic podiatry: The application of podiatric knowledge to legal investigations.

H

• Hallux rigidus: A condition involving stiffness and limited motion in the big toe joint.
• Hallux varus: A deformity where the big toe deviates away from the other toes.
• Heel pad syndrome: A painful condition affecting the fatty tissue on the underside of the heel.

M

• Metatarsophalangeal joint sprain: An injury to the joint between the metatarsal and phalangeal bones.
• Morton's neuroma: A benign growth of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot.
• Morton's toe: A condition where the second toe is longer than the big toe.
• Mueller–Weiss syndrome: A rare condition involving spontaneous collapse of the navicular bone.

N

• Nail brace: A device used to treat ingrown toenails and correct nail deformities.

o

• Orthotics: Shoe inserts or insoles used to correct foot and ankle problems.

p

• Palmoplantar keratoderma: Thickening of the skin on the palms and soles.
• Pedobarography: The study of pressure distribution on the soles of the feet.
• Pediatric podiatry: Specialized podiatric care for children's foot and ankle conditions.
• Plantar calcaneal bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa sac near the heel bone.
• Plantar fascial rupture: A tear or rupture of the plantar fascia in the foot.
• Plantar fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia, causing heel pain.
• Podiatric medical school: Educational institutions that train future podiatrists.
• Podiatrist: A medical professional specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle conditions.

s

• Sinus tarsi syndrome: Pain and instability in the subtalar joint of the foot.
• Subungual hematoma: Blood accumulation beneath a toenail, often due to injury.
• Surgical treatment of ingrown toenails: Procedures to correct ingrown toenails.

t

• Tailor's bunion: A painful bump that forms on the outside of the little toe.
• Toe: One of the five digits on the human foot, often referred to as toes.
• Toe walking: A gait pattern where a person walks on their toes rather than their heels.
• Total contact casting: A method of treating foot ulcers by immobilizing the foot and ankle.

Also see

• Podiatrists in the United States

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