Welcome to Foot for Thought! Before reading about common concerns regarding your foot and ankle, you might be wondering what exactly podiatry is? What do podiatrists do? And how does one become a podiatrist? Let's answer some of those questions.
Podiatry is the study of the lower extremity, more specifically the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the foot, ankle, and the lower extremity below the knee. Think of a podiatrist as both general practitioners and specialists of the lower extremity. From skin all the way down to bones, muscles, and soft tissue, podiatrists treat all aspects of the lower extremity both surgically and non-surgically.
How Does One Become a Podiatrist?
The journey to becoming a podiatrist entails rigorous and dedicated training. During undergraduate education, students complete a list of pre-requisite courses to become eligible to apply for podiatry schools. At some point during their undergraduate studies, candidates take the MCAT. A series of applications and interviews follow prior to admission into one of 9 podiatry schools in the United States.
After completing 4 years of didactic and clinical training, students earn the 3 very precious letters D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) added to their name. The world now calls them Doctor and they now become eligible for residency. One must pass the 3 national standardized board exams known as the NBPME and obtain a medical license to practice podiatry in their respective state.
Residency entails 3 years of rigorous surgical training during which young doctors learn, practice, do research on, and teach all aspects of podiatric medicine under the supervision of highly qualified attending doctors and mentors at large teaching institutions throughout the nation. Doctors become meticulous surgeons of the forefoot and rearfoot/ankle during this time. Some go on to further specializations with a fellowship training.
Most doctors, like myself, further enhance their training by becoming board certified (with a series of standardized tests) either with the ABPM or ABFAS.
Whether you're considering to consult a podiatrist for your foot/ankle issue or referring a loved one, rest assured that you're in the hands of a highly qualified specialist and surgeon who has passed through many scrutinies before entering your exam room!
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