A podiatrist is a health practitioner who specializes in the treatment of all foot and ankle-related disorders and diseases and holds a Doctorate in podiatric medicine. To practice, he or she must first receive a permit from the Ordre des podiatres du Québec’s Board of Directors.
But what exactly does a podiatrist do? In addition to inspecting and diagnosing the patient, he or she possesses a number of other remarkable skills that we welcome you to learn about in this article.
Surprising skill: the podiatrist can perform surgery
Plantar surgery is a podiatrist’s first surprising skill. Indeed, once he or she has completed the evaluation and confirmed a diagnosis, he or she can proceed to surgical therapy if necessary.
For example, if the person has a painful cyst that has to be removed or some resistant or recurring warts, this might be the situation. It is also the case if an ingrown toenail worsens and refuses to go away despite standard treatment, or if a biopsy is required to investigate a suspicious lesion. These are basic treatments, but if the podiatrist has completed a surgical residency, he or she can undertake more complex procedures such as bone surgery. They will perform surgery for conditions that are particularly disabling in everyday life. Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and hallux valgus are among these.
Surprising skill: the podiatrist can help you choose your work shoes
Wearing good work shoes is critical for plantar health, as discussed in a previous article. The podiatrist will not give you fashion advice; instead, he or she will inform you which style of shoe is best for your working environment and foot shape. We are discussing the size, form, flexibility, and uniqueness of some models. The objective is to not only treat you if you have plantar discomfort but also to avoid the onset of other problems.
If you work in the construction industry, for example, the podiatrist might recommend steel-toe shoes to protect your feet against shocks. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, a podiatrist can prescribe and manufacture orthotics to prevent deformation of the foot, which could lead to discomfort and a musculoskeletal alignment imbalance.
Surprising skill: the podiatrist can make orthotics
The podiatrist is not permitted to sell orthopedic shoes or prosthetics. He or she can, however, create unique foot orthotics. This is another unexpected ability.
Orthotics support the foot and correct or compensate for a postural issue when worn in shoes (flat foot, diabetic foot, bunion, etc.).
During the assessment, the podiatrist will evaluate your condition to decide which sort of orthotic is required. Then he or she will take measurements of numerous factors so that he or she has the information needed to make orthoses that are properly suited to your feet.
Surprising skill: The podiatrist is authorized to prescribe certain medications
Last but not least, podiatrists in Quebec have been able to prescribe or administer certain medications to their patients if their health situation warrants it starting May 2020. Topical antifungals (applied directly to the skin), oral antifungal pills, and oral antibiotics for localized infections such ingrown toenails are among these drugs.
Podiatrists can now conduct blood tests without a doctor’s permission in order to monitor a patient’s health and to offer treatment if necessary.
H2 (Conclusion) — The importance of a podiatrist’s skill in caring for your feet
The podiatrist possesses a wide range of talents that distinguish them as go-to expert in the event of foot or ankle problems. These abilities include anything from a thorough physical examination to counseling, orthotic creation, and surgical treatments.
Make an appointment with a podiatrist directly on the FootNetwork website if you have a special need relating to your foot health.
