What is podiatry and what does the podiatrist treat?
Podiatry as a profession
Podiatry is one of the paramedical professions. “Podiatrist” is a regulated profession. The 4-year full-time higher education course in podiatry can only be taken in two places: at the Fontys College in Eindhoven and at the Saxion Hogeschool in Enschede. You are only allowed to use the title podiatrist if you have successfully completed this 4-year course at one of the above mentioned institutes. In addition, a podiatrist is one of the 10 paramedical professions. This is regulated by article 34 of the law-BIG.
A podiatrist treats people with foot, ankle, knee and hip complaints arising from abnormal functioning of the feet. A podiatrist treats many different complaints, with the aim of eliminating, reducing or compensating disorders in the functioning of the support and musculoskeletal system, resulting from abnormalities in the (position of the) foot.
A podiatrist often sees people with complaints that have existed for quite some time. The thought “what comes spontaneously will also disappear spontaneously” is often not true for the feet and the complete support and musculoskeletal system. Fatigue in the feet and legs, lower back pain, pain in the feet, cramping, tingling, etc., are all indications for a GP or specialist to refer you to a podiatrist.
After referral by a doctor, the podiatrist performs an extensive examination with the aim to identify the cause of the complaints. If the cause is known, the podiatrist designs a treatment plan based on this diagnosis
Goals of the podiatrist
Goals of podiatric treatment may include:
- Adjusting pressure distributions in the foot
- Correction of abnormal joint positions
- Optimize the gait
- Improve the postural characteristics
- Promote/improve mobility
- Prevention of health problems or worsening of existing problems
- Giving advice on the above topics, also in the form of shoe advice
- Reducing foot, ankle, knee and/or back complaints, in so far as they are related to problems of the foot/abnormal postural characteristics.
Treatment techniques of the podiatrist
Advising on foot health and foot care or checking for`0 pressure spots or other possible foot problems. In some cases the patient himself can perform recommended exercises, or is given advice such as alternating load and rest periods.
(Sports) shoe advice (adjustments)
The podiatrist, when giving advice with regard to footwear, takes into account the anatomical features of the user, the intended use and the intensity of use of the (sports) shoes or in combination with podiatric (sports) soles. In some cases, a mere adaptation (modification) of the (sports) footwear may suffice, after which any final therapy (which can be manufactured in the meantime) is ready to be used
Applying felt therapy, bandages or taping
By placing felt, painful (pressure) spots can be temporary relieved of pressure, bandages or taping can relieve affected areas after which any definitive therapy (which can be manufactured in the meantime) is ready to be used.
Protektieve of corrigerende siliconen orthesenProtective or corrective silicone orthotics Protective silicone orthotics are made to protect a sore spot, usually on, under or between the toes where correction is no longer possible. Corrective silicone orthotics are made to correct an abnormal toe position. Depending on the condition and mobility of the toes, orthotics will have to be worn until the patient is free of complaints, or for life to prevent symptoms.Podiatric insoles Podiatric soles measured individually on the foot can aim to correct positional and functional abnormalities of the lower extremity and the spine, to compensate for structural abnormalities in the foot, to relieve vulnerable structures, or have a combination of goals. The podiatric soles are flexible and, depending on the purpose, made of harder or softer material. Depending on the condition, the podiatric soles must be worn up to several months after the patient is free of complaints (e.g.in case of an injury) and in other cases for the rest of their life to prevent complaints (e.g. in case of a difference in leg length or a hallux valgus (crooked big toe)). In case of the continued wearing of the soles, an annual inspection is required with relation to age-dependent change of the foot and/or change on the basis of the corrective power of the soles. On the basis of the findings at the annual inspection the soles are modified or replaced. Usually, the average life span of the soles 2-3 years.