513-351-6300

 5521 Montgomery Road
Norwood, Ohio 45212
DrO@runlabdro.com

Definition:

"Podiatry is that profession of the health sciences which deals with the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, conditions, and malfunctions affecting the human foot and its related or governing structures, by employment of medical, surgical, or other means." - Adopted by American Podiatry Association House of Delegates.

Education:

The prerequisites for admission and criteria used in the admissions process by schools of podiatric medicine are identical to those of the traditional medical schools. (Minimum three years of pre-medical study at an accredited college or university and satisfactory score on the New-Medical College Admissions Test.) Better than 90% of those students entering a school of podiatry have Baccalaureate Degrees or higher, prior to the admission to the four-year course in a college of podiatric medicine.

Colleges:

There are seven colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States. They are located in: New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco, Des Moines, and Miami.

Curriculum:

The curriculum at the colleges of podiatric medicine is, in effect, a "single tract" medical education with special emphasis on the lower extremity, but provides a general medical curriculum parallel to that of traditional medical schools.

Podiatric Residency:

Over 90% of the graduates from the college of podiatric medicine enter post-graduate residency training programs (1-3 years in duration) in teaching hospitals. Both the professional and post-graduate education programs stress an awareness of the vital need to promote cooperative relationships between podiatry and the other primary health professions in the appropriate delivery of quality health care services.

Licensing:

Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states to treat the foot medically, mechanically, and surgically. Foot and leg problems seen on an everyday basis by podiatrists include:

A. Infants and children

  • Foot deformities requiring correction through bracing, casting or surgery.
  • Flat feet
  • Pigeon toeing
  • Leg cramps
  • Skin conditions

B. Injury

  • Fractures and dislocations
  • Sprains and strains
  • Lacerations, cuts and bruises
  • Foreign bodies; splinters, glass, stings
  • Burns

C. Skin conditions

  • Fungus infection (athlete's foot)
  • Allergies
  • Nail disease
  • Corns and callouses
  • Plantar Warts
  • Skin tumors
  • Foot odor and excessive sweating
  • Blisters

D. Sports Medicine

  • Prevention of athletic injuries
  • Treatment of athletic injuries

E. Bone and joint problems

  • Bunions
  • Arthritis
  • Heel spurs
  • Hammertoes
  • Arch problems

F. Aged

  • Diabetic foot problems
  • Circulatory problems