Podiatry is a health profession that is concerned with the treatment of disorders of the foot and related problems by mechanical and surgical methods means. Podiatry varies from country to country and is reflected in the practice laws of each country and the extent of training in each country.
In the United States of America, podiatry is a postgraduate degree of 4 years followed by a three year residency. They have full surgical privileges in the USA. Podiatry in the United Kingdom and Australia is very different with a 3-4 year degree that does not contain any surgical training. Those who want the surgical qualification take part in a post-graduate surgical program while working a as podiatrist. In some European countries it is a 2 year certificate course and the scope of conditions and treatment that they can use is very limited. Some countries in Asia have no podiatry at all, or if they do there are a few that were trained in other countries.
Some of the common problems treated by podiatrists include corn and calluses, foot injuries, ingrown nails, bunions and hallux valgus, thick nails flat feet, sports injuries, heel pain and plantar fasciitis.
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