I have an uncle who studied podiatric medicine for about a year. He told me that a DPM can work on conditions from the hip...down. Is this true? Or, can a DPM only work on problems of the foot and ankle? Please help me to understand. Thank you!
This all depends upon state law. Many states have laws that allow pods to treat soft tissue up to the thigh. However, most states limit osseous work to the foot and ankle. A few states limit osseous work to the foot only. Check the laws of the states that interest you.
Thank you so much for that information! However, do you know where I can locate the information that you described? I live in Ohio. Thanks again!!!!!
Bone cuts are made in various surgical procedures ranging from bunions and hammertoes to flat foot reconstruction. Fractures of many of the bones of the foot and ankle often require open reduction internal fixation with plates and screws. We plated a broken fibula yesterday. These are all examples of "osseous work".
I have just started looking into podiatry and am specifically interested in Sports Medicine. Lets say an athelete breaks his ankle. Would that be something a podiatrist cast/operates/puts screws in etc.? Or would that be something that a orthopedic would be more involved in. Also any other interesting sports medicine work that youi guys know of or have web links too, that DPM's do would handle would be great. Thanks!
It usually just depends on where they are taken and who happens to be on call. But yes, pods fix broken ankles all of the time. We've taken 3 ankle fractures to the OR in the past two days. Concerning sports medicine, there are sports medicine fellowships that can be done after residency.
Try this link. http://www.aapsm.org/ Regarding Sports Medicine, Podiatrists are often refered to as the "Runner's doctor". Biomechanics of locomotion (and the foot and ankle specifically) is a major part of podiatry.
broken bones is usually considered trauma and it depends what state and hospital for who gets the foot and ankle cases between the pods and orthos. sports med pods typically help the athletes compete better by evaluating gait and biomechanical abnormalities and prescribing orthotics and other devices to splint/help fix the deformity/abnormality. Sports med pods also deal with sports injuries and helping the athletes return to activity. If your goal is to be the pod for a professional team, you should make sure that you will like being a pod that is not affiliated with a team as well because it is very rare to be the team pod for a professional team. it happens but it is not the norm. Also, non-professional athletes (runners...) like to go to pods that are also runners/marathoners... so that is something to consider also.
Thanks for all the good information guys! Just starting my research on podiatry. I have another two years before I am done with my undergrad, so I am just doing all the research on it that I can. I am shadowing a pod this summer so hopefully that will help me more than anything.
