Fortunately, most of us living around here do have two feet each but, unfortunately, not all feet are the same and some people develop, or naturally acquire, a number of foot problems that can be painful or even result in disabilities. Some problems are simple to solve with anything from placing your feet in a bowl of hot water containing your grandma’s secret foot soothing recipe to a visit to a good pedicurist or chiropodist. However, the human foot is a marvel of anatomic engineering and parts of it can become seriously damaged and may require specialist treatment from a fully trained Podiatrist In Chicago Il.
What Training
A podiatric physician is a medical professional devoted to the study and medical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremities; in other words a “foot doctor”. Qualifying for this profession can take up to 12 years of approved study and surgical residency. The term “chiropody” was once thought to be interchangeable with podiatry but, these days, chiropody is something of a less qualified profession that does not include many surgical procedures. For example, you could visit a chiropodist to have a corn removed or dead skin calluses scraped away but you would need a Podiatrist In Chicago Il for the surgical removal of a bunion.
However, there is an area of overlap when comparing the work of a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) with procedures carried out by an orthopedic surgeon. The main difference between the two being that the former only goes from the toes up to around the knees.
Podiatry Examples
Bunions are a bony bump at the joint that connects the big toe to the main part of the foot and their removal and/or correction is a major area of day to day podiatric work. If acted upon early enough, corrective footwear can reduce the problem as can cortisone injections but often, surgery is the only solution.
Other regularly encountered foot problems include ingrowing toenails; toe and foot fungal problems and heel pain. Reconstructive surgery also plays a part especially in cases of accident and/or diabetes. Some people are very sensitive over the appearance of their feet and may engage a foot doctor for cosmetic “plastic” surgery purposes. Whatever your foot problem may be; should you need the services of a trained Podiatrist In Chicago Il the various clinics at Foot First Podiatry Centers, V.P.C. are worthy of your investigation.
