A podiatrist is an health professional who specializes in managing theproblems that happen to the feet. Podiatrists can deal with conditions such as toe infections, ingrown toenails, corns, heel pain, hammer toes, skin infections and foot wounds among other things.
Podiatrists are capable of doing ingrown nail surgery with a local anaesthetic. This surgery is a very frequent method. They are also able to manage diabetic along with arthritic patients, that may need assistance from a podiatrist to cut their toe nails appropriately or to watch any changes in their feet. They furthermore check the blood pressure level to a clients feet to figure out if the patient is having an ample amount of blood flowing through to the foot. They are also able to take care of ulcers and treat the broken down wounds. Within the sports medicine field, they can check the condition of an athlete’s foot, treat any injuries that could have happened, find out how the athlete runs, and will advise on the most effective footwear. Sports injuries that the podiatrist might treat include plantar fasciitis, shin pain, a sprained ankle, stress fractures or Achilles tendonitis. A podiatrist can also recommend and make orthotic supports for patients. From time to time a client needs extra support in their shoes to help them walk without pain. A podiatrist will examine and diagnose whether an orthotic device would make a positive change. If that's the case, the podiatrist can make a cast of the feet and then produce the suitable device, whether it’s for biomechanical or palliative reasons.
A biomechanical orthotic is a shoe insert that helps the client to walk normally and is typically made out of a thermoplastic material. A palliative orthotic is made from EVA or foam and is meant to assist people who have painful feet or who are suffering from ulcers so that you can wear shoes comfortably. Patients whose feet are deformed are able to experience relief when wearing accomodative foot orthotics. Podiatrists can work in private practice, in private hospitals, nursing facilities, sports medicine clinics or in community health clinics.
How do you become a podiatrist?
You have to finish a four year Bachelor of Science/Master of Podiatric Practice degree or a four year Bachelor of Podiatry degree. This is a full time study course and is offered by a few educational facilities in Australia, such as La Trobe University in Melbourne and Charles Sturt University in Nsw. The classes include theoretical and clinical classes, as well as clinical experience. After you have become a accredited podiatrist, you need to register with the podiatry board. If you’re fascinated by the biomechanics of the foot and the variety of health conditions which could affect the feet, then a job as a podiatrist may be very worthwhile.