Recently I have run across podiatry as a possibility for myself. As an athletic trainer, I like the specialty of ankle/foot pathologies particularly so I was intrigued. However, with my research I have surfaced a few questions maybe you guys can help me with. I hope these aren't redundant, if so, I'm sorry. Any help would be great!
1.) since pathologies can occur with the feet, are DPMs allowed to treat metabolic diseases if necessary? Such as diabetes etc. Or is it a joint effort with a patients PCP?
2.) where is the 'cut off' for what a DPM can treat? For example, if feet mechanical inabilities are due to low back pain, hip pain, or something further up the kinetic chain, are podiatrists allowed to treat those areas? I can see it being a state regulated thing but seriously....if anyone knows biomechanics, any one area can influence other joints. Or even knee pain etc.
1.) since pathologies can occur with the feet, are DPMs allowed to treat metabolic diseases if necessary? Such as diabetes etc. Or is it a joint effort with a patients PCP?
2.) where is the 'cut off' for what a DPM can treat? For example, if feet mechanical inabilities are due to low back pain, hip pain, or something further up the kinetic chain, are podiatrists allowed to treat those areas? I can see it being a state regulated thing but seriously....if anyone knows biomechanics, any one area can influence other joints. Or even knee pain etc.
