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Podiatrists

Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.

What you’d do

  • Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
  • Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
  • Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
  • Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
  • Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
  • Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
  • Make and fit prosthetic appliances.
  • Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.

Skills that matter

  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
  • Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
  • Podiatric Surgeon
  • Podiatrist
  • Attending Physician
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (DPM and Surgery)

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