 Around the turn of the century,
M.J. Lewi, M.D., then the
Executive Director of the New
York State Medical Society, felt
there was a tremendous need
for a specialist trained in the care
and treatment of the human foot.
He then went about opening the
first school for the training of such
medical specialists.
For many
years thereafter, foot
care specialists were
trained in the proper way
to cut toenails, learned how to
construct a beneficial arch support
and received instructions on
how to relieve such common disorders
as painful Corns and
Calluses. Through the years, these
people were known as
Chiropodists, and some who were
trained throughout this period are
still in practice today.
After 1950, a great evolution took place which resulted in
the upgrading of these medical men. Podiatry grew out of the
profession of Chiropodist. In 1957, the American Chiropodity
Association was changed to the American Podiatry Association, and
its membership today is no longer limited to those with
pre-surgical type training but includes a multitude of those who
practice far more sophisticated surgical procedures, and who,
like any other type of physician or surgeon, earn their degree as
a D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine).
At the present time, there are approximately 14,000 practicing
podiatrists in the United States, all functioning in an
individualistic style in accordance
with their educational
background and the nature of
their specialization. There are
those who confine themselves
to such tasks as properly trimming
toenails, and others who excel in
the insertion of artificial ankle joints.
There are Podiatric:
- Dermatologists
- Pediatricians
- Radiologists
- Surgeons
Skillfully trained as both a
physician and surgeon of the foot,
the podiatrist is best equipped to
diagnose and treat both
simple and complex foot problems.
The range of a podiatrist's
diagnosis and care can be
said to be extremely more far-reaching
in the sense that it concerns
itself with your complete physical
history, past illnesses, current ailments
and medications,
occupation and hobbies, and any other factors that contribute to
the general lifestyle of your feet. (It all plays a part, you
know, and none of these areas can be ignored if the most
effective solution to a foot ailment is to be found.) Surgical
Podiatrists, are given to consideration of a patient's
professional and personal commitments in scheduling the best time
and place for surgery.
Generally speaking, the greater percentage of foot surgery can be
comfortably accomplished in the podiatrist's office. When and
wherever possible, hospitalization and the use of general
anesthetics are avoided, which in turn permits the patient to
immediately return to his family and to recuperate in an
environment that is not alien to him. Major Bunion corrections,
the relocation of dislocated metatarsal heads, the removal of
painful Heel Spurs and Ingrown Toenails are problems which are
all handled in the podiatrist's office on a daily basis.
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