Title: All We Need to Know About Podiatry
1All We Need to Know About Podiatry
2Podiatry (also known as podiatric medicine) is a
branch of medicine that is dedicated to the
study, diagnosis, and treatment of certain
disorders of the ankle, foot, and other lower
extremities.
3From complex foot surgeries, treatment for
plantar fasciitis, to minor conditions like
ingrown toenails, podiatry surely can be the
answer to various foot and ankle problems.
4In medically advanced countries like the US,
Singapore, UK, Japan, among others, podiatrists
are screened thoroughly and are asked to present
apt license, trainings, and other documents for
eligibility before they are admitted to work on a
podiatry clinic.
5While the podiatrist does undergo a four year
post-graduate training program similar to medical
school, podiatrists (DPM) differ from the M.D.
and D.O. trained physicians. Physicians who
complete medical school are then able to pursue
the specialty of their choice in residency while
graduates of podiatry school are able to pursue a
career in the care of feet and ankles.
Podiatrists, who are doctors but not physicians,
receive extensive training in the anatomy and
physiology of the human body, but they are
specifically trained to treat diseases and
problems with the feet and ankles, and
cannot pursue a residency in other areas of
medicine despite their extensive education in all
of systems of the human body, wrote Jennifer
Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C in her online article
titled Podiatry What is Podiatric Medicine,
Understanding the Similarities Between
Podiatrists and Physicians.
6It is also worthy to note that some countries
call podiatrist differently, The older title for
podiatrists is chiropodist and may be used by
some clinicians. In many non-English-speaking
countries of Europe, the title used may be
podologist or Podólogo. The level and scope
of the practice of podiatry varies among
countries, shared Dr. Aparna Duggirala in her
article Important facts about the history of
Podiatry.
7Here are a myriad of conditions that a regular
podiatry centre can cureSprains
SpursTendonitisPlantar wartsHigh
arched feetNeuromasSevers diseaseShin
splintsSports injuriesSciatica
8FungusHammertoesClaw toesCallusesBunions or
hallux adducto valgusCracked heelsCornsBursitis
BlistersAbnormal walking patternsArch
painAthletes foot
9Over the years, podiatry clinics have been adding
more conditions to treat on their services.
Sarabehel Chui, a specialist at a podiatry clinic
in Bukit Timah, shared how they get patients from
all over the country and other neighbouring
nations.
10Our clients are mostly injured athletes and
diabetes patients from Singapore and other Asian
countries like Thailand, Philippines, Korea, and
Malaysia. Some of our incidental clients are
expats or tourists from Australia and Europe who
are on a vacation in the country when they
suddenly needed an immediate treatment for their
feet or ankle. If I got my statistics right, most
of our local clients go to our clinic to treat
severe cases of corns, bunions, and calluses. It
is also common to hear comments from our foreign
patients that in comparison to Western podiatry
centres, ours are more reasonably priced if not
relatively cheaper.