Podiatrist or Chiropodist?

[DrFeelgoodDO]

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Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here can explain the terms above to me and what the difference is btwn the two, if any. In the US, it appears that all foot physicians and surgeons are DPMs and are referred to as podiatrists. I was in Canada recently and there were both pods and chiropods, using the degree names DPM and DSC respectively.

I tried to look up the difference in the web, and all I could find was that Chiropody is an older term for podiatry. So whats with the different degree types and such?

Anyone who can explain it to me would be of great help. Thanks in advance.

 

[PM2]

Hello,

Chiro is greek for hand and foot, and Pod is latin for foot. In the US, a push was made to change the name from chiropodist to podiatrist to recognize a podiatrist as a specialist of the foot and all related components. Although podiatrist do care for the hand in a few states, most states limit the scope of practice to the foot and ankle with soft tissue work up to the hip.

Podiatrist combines "foot" and "healer, or physician".

The change was made in 1958

A good link:

http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/Podiatry.htm

A link with info regarding podiatry/chiropody in other areas of the globe:

http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/profess.html#menu

 

[DrFeelgoodDO]

Hello,

Chiro is greek for hand and foot, and Pod is latin for foot. In the US, a push was made to change the name from chiropodist to podiatrist to recognize a podiatrist as a specialist of the foot and all related components. Although podiatrist do care for the hand in a few states, most states limit the scope of practice to the foot and ankle with soft tissue work up to the hip.

Podiatrist combines "foot" and "healer, or physician".

The change was made in 1958

A good link:

http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/Podiatry.htm


A link with info regarding podiatry/chiropody in other areas of the globe:

http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/profess.html#menu

Thanks again! Great response to my question!