Podiatrists are also known as doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). They
diagnose and treat foot and lower leg disorders, diseases and injuries. They
keep this part of the body working properly.
Some podiatrists treat sports-related foot injuries. Many professional
sports teams have a podiatrist on staff. Karate and aerobics are the sports
most likely to cause foot injuries.
Podiatrists treat common foot problems, such as corns, calluses, ingrown
toenails and bunions. They also handle more serious problems.
"We see everything from kids with warts and flat feet to adults with ankle
injuries," says podiatrist Dr. Nancy O'Neil.
Often, people injure their feet because they exercise a little too vigorously,
or because their feet gradually go through wear and tear as they age.
Seniors are often the majority of a podiatrist's clients. Elderly people
want to remain as independent as possible, but foot problems often get in
their way. Poor blood circulation is a common cause of foot ailments, as are
diabetes or heart problems.
The American Podiatric Medical Association says 75 percent of all Americans
will have foot problems at some point in their lives. And women are four times
as likely as men to have those problems, usually because many women are used
to wearing high heels.
Some podiatrists work in nursing homes, hospitals or government institutions,
such as the U.S. Navy. However, most have their own private practice. That
means they must rent office space, hire employees and keep medical records.
Working hours for podiatrists depend on where they work. Podiatrists who
work in hospitals usually work regular office hours. But those in private
practice often keep their clinics open evenings and weekends to serve clients
who can't see them during the day. Besides, many podiatrists regularly visit
nursing homes and hold foot clinics in rural areas.
Running your own practice means a lot of extra responsibilities. "I often
work through lunch, and I'll see patients before or after clinic hours," says
podiatrist Dr. Darryl Gurevitch.
"Any details -- like telephoning pharmacies, writing notes for people to
be excused from work or filling out workmen's compensation forms -- all have
to be done at the end of the day. I regularly take work home evenings and
weekends."
Gurevitch and his partners share a beeper, so one is always available during
an emergency. "If a patient has just had surgery and there's unusual pain
from a tight bandage or if they feel a pinching, that has to be dealt with
right away."
While many podiatrists have hospital privileges, they also try to perform
surgeries in their office or in an outpatient clinic whenever possible. "We
perform 95 percent of surgeries in our surgical suite using a local anesthetic,"
says Gurevitch.