Podiatry is the science devoted to the study of feet, ankles, lower limbs and their associated structures. It is the practice concerned with the mechanical, physical and adjunctive treatment of any diseases, injuries and defects of the feet and lower extremities. Podiatrists can specialise in musculoskeletal pain and injury(sports podiatry), skin and nail issues (general podiatry), or the diabetic foot (high risk foot care).
The podiatrist’s primary role is to identify if there is an underlying mechanical problem contributing to an injury or pain, and if so, implement a management plan to correct and reduce this. The treatment may include specialist footwear, padding, inserts, physical therapy or vascular specialist referrals, or wound or ulcer care.
Podiatrist can treat a comprehensive list of complaints
Archaeological finds have indicated that professional foot-care existed in ancient Egypt (since at least 2400BC). Bas-relief carvings were discovered at Ankmahor’s tomb depicting references to this profession.
However, the beginnings of modern podiatry are rooted in Greece. In his writings, Hippocrates wrote about removing corns and calluses from patients' feet with scalpels of his own invention and creation, and by the 19th century, foot care was formally established as a medical specialty.
These foot doctors were known as “chiropodists.” Both Napoleon and Abraham Lincoln were known to have seen them for their health care. The first professional chiropody society was established in 1895 in New York with a school opening not long after in 1911. In 1912, just one year later, the British started their own society at the London Foot Hospital. The term chiropody was replaced with podiatry in the 1960s.
