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Podiatry or podiatric medicine is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. The term podiatry came into use in the early 20th century in the United States and is now used worldwide, including countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.

History

Podiatry is a relatively new discipline of medicine, having been established in the early 20th century. However, the treatment of foot disorders has been practiced since ancient times, with evidence of foot and ankle treatments found in ancient Egyptian carvings.

Education and Training

In the United States, medical education and training for podiatrists is similar to that of other doctors. They must complete four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and three years of residency training. After this, they may choose to pursue further specialization through fellowship programs.

Scope of Practice

Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. This can include a wide range of disorders, from common conditions such as bunions and heel pain, to more complex issues such as congenital deformities and trauma-related injuries.

See Also

• Orthopedics
• Foot
• Ankle
• Lower extremity

References

Pod Resources
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