A podiatrist is an health professional who specializes in managing the feet. They can deal with disorders for example toe fungus, ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, bunions, skin infections and foot injuries.
Podiatrists can perform ingrown nail surgery using a local injection. This method is a very common treatment. They may also manage diabetic and also arthritis individuals, which may require the services of a podiatrist to cut their toenails the right way or to check any kind of a change in their feet. Podiatrists also check the blood pressure to a clients feet to ascertain whether the client has an adequate amount of blood flowing through to the feet. Podiatrists may also manage ulcers and manage the ulcerated wounds. In the sports medicine speciality, they may check the condition of an athlete’s feet, treat any injuries which may have happened, find out how the athlete moves, and can advise on the best footwear. Sports injuries that the podiatrist can treat include heel spurs, shin pain, an ankle sprain, stress fractures or Achilles tendonitis. A podiatrist may also order and produce orthotic supports for patients. At times a client requires extra support in their footwear to help them walk without having pain. A podiatrist will assess and diagnose whether an support insert is likely to make a positive change. If that's the case, the podiatrist can make a model of the foot and then produce the appropriate foot orthotic, whether it’s for functional or palliative reasons.
A biomechanical support is a shoe insert that can help the client to walk better and is usually produced from a thermoplastic substance. A palliative support is constucted from EVA or foam and is designed to assist those who have painful feet or who are suffering from wounds in order to wear footwear comfortably. Patients whose feet are misshaped can probably experience comfort when wearing palliative orthoses. They can be employed in private practice, in hospitals, assisted living facilities, sports medicine practices or in community health clinics.
How can you be a podiatrist?
You have to complete a 4 year Bachelor of Science/Master of Podiatric Practice degree or a four year Bachelor of Podiatry degree. This is a full time course and is offered by some universities in Australia, including La Trobe University in Melbourne and also Charles Sturt University in New South Wales. The training include theoretical and clinical lessons, along with clinical experience. After you have turn into a accredited podiatrist, you need to register with the podiatry board. If you’re interested in the biomechanics of the feet and the variety of medical ailments which will affect the feet, then a job as a podiatrist can be quite rewarding.