What is a podiatrist?
Let’s say your primary care physician referred you to a podiatrist. Would you have any idea what type of specialist you were headed for? If you’re not sure, you are not alone. Despite the fact that podiatry has existed as a medical specialty for over a century, podiatry remains something of an unknown for many people - until they have a problem with their feet. Simply put, podiatrists are physicians with the specialized expertise to diagnose and treat injuries, diseases, and defects of the foot. Such treatment may include prescribing medications, performing surgery, and addressing the physical or mechanical needs of the feet. The initials DPM after a physicians name indicate the podiatric specialty.
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine completes four years of graduate medical training at an accredited College of Podiatry. First and second year courses include anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Third and fourth year students have clinical rotations in private practice, hospitals, and clinics, and focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. After receiving their DPM degrees, some enroll in hospital based residency programs. An additional certification, FACFAS, can also be achieved post degree. The letters FACFAS mean that a podiatric surgeon is a Fellow in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) is a professional organization associated with an interest, training, board certification, and education in the specialty of foot and ankle surgery.
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