hand

FREAK NO! When you get into 1st year anatomy, you'll see that there are similarities but a ton of differences. Historically speaking, in the day of the chiropodist, they did do some hand work. And as I recall, some state laws still have not yet been changed but you won't find any pods messing with a hand! In this day and age, we are the foot and ankle specialists. And believe me, the lower limb will keep you VERY busy.

 

I'm not even sure why you would go there. You should realize that the hand in itself is a unique speciality. There are "hand surgeons" out there. Why would you want to venture on their specialty? Let them do their thing...and we do ours...be proud of your specialty! Do the best you can....

If you still feel you want to do hands, then perhaps you might want to try and get into med school and the the whole "9 yards" once more

 

In some states, podiatric surgeons can assist other surgeons outside of the lower extremity.

 

I think it all comes down to training. If we were trained in hand surgery as much as we are trained in foot and ankle then why not? Even if it is someone elses turf. The truth is though that we are not trained in the hand at all so even in the states that allow pods to do the work, they shouldnt be. But going along with what Jonwill said, if the opportunity came up to adapt our training to include the hand as well, I would be against it. My interest lies with the foot and ankle.

 

A long time ago, and in a galaxy far, far away . . . podiatrists used to be called chiropodists. (Chiro = hand, pod = foot, ist = technician). Chiropodists treated simple skin conditions of the hands and feet, including warts and fungal nails. They never had a surgical practice or mastery in the hand. A few states have outdated legislation where the hand is still part of the scope of practice (but not really in our "scope of knowledge"). Ohio and Minnesota are examples.

Up until the 1950's our degree was D.S.C. (Doctor of Science in Chiropody)

I think the profession decided to change it's name to avoid confusion with Chiropractors and to embrace our focus on foot/ankle pathology.

Many the U.K. still refer to podiatrists as chiropodists. The British podiatrist is not a doctor, however. The have a bachelors degree (B.Pod.)

LCR