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A podiatrist is a health
professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical
conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
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The conditions podiatrists
treat include those resulting from bone and
joint disorders such as arthritis and
soft-tissue and muscular pathologies as well as
neurological and circulatory diseases.
Podiatrists are also able to diagnose and
treat any complications of the above which
affect the lower limb, including skin and nail
disorders, corns , calluses and ingrowing
toenails. Foot
injuries and infections gained through sport or
other activities are also diagnosed and treated
by podiatrists. |
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Some
areas in which podiatrists may develop a special
interest include:
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Sports medicine
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Biomechanics
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Paediatrics
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Surgery
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Diabetes
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Arthritis
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Gerontology
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To become a podiatrists a
practitioner must complete a Bachelor’s Degree and be
registered with state podiatry registration boards.
(Until 1977, Australian podiatrists were known as
chiropodists. The
official name change to podiatry reflected the upgrading
of education levels and an expansion in the scope of
practice by the profession.)
For more information on University
programmes in Victoria follow the following links:
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