Wednesday 25 June 2014

When In Search For A Podiatric Surgeon Austin Is The Way To Go

By Ina Hunt


Podiatrist surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in the study and medical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. The branch of medicine in which they work is called podiatry. The usage of the word podiatry started in the US during the twentieth century and has now been adopted worldwide. For US citizens in search of a podiatric surgeon Austin is a good place to start the search from.

Podiatric surgery refers to a subspecialty within podiatry which is concerned with application of surgical methods in treatment of ankles, lower extremity structures, and feet. The primary goal emphasized in this subspecialty is maintenance of proper functional of regions surrounding the ankles and feet. There are a broad collection of treatment options for joint and ligament problems. Professionals in podiatry may specialize in full reconstruction, minimally invasive surgery, or both.

The responsibilities of these specialists are numerous and they vary among states. Primary responsibilities are prescribing medicines, providing counsel, treating sports-related injuries, performing health histories and physical examinations, and performing surgeries. Additional duties are taking and assessing imaging studies such as X-rays and doing or ordering physical therapy. They may also prescribe and fit insoles, custom-made shoes, and orthotics.

To become a podiatric surgeon, one must start specializing in college or university before advancing to podiatric school and beyond. Relevant college or university courses one should take include pathophysiology, physiology, human anatomy, general medicine, pharmacology, surgery, and sociological and psychological perspectives among others. After university education, one should then advance into the school to further their education. This education normally lasts for another four years.

The first year of study in podiatric medical school is similar to that of M. D and D. O students because courses are the same. The difference is that their courses place a little more emphasis on foot, ankle, and lower extremity. Admission into these schools may require one to take a Medical College Admission Test. Only successful candidates are given admission but having excellent co-curricular abilities may be an added advantage.

Surgical based residency comes after the four years of study in schools that train podiatry. Surgical based residencies equip students with skills in surgery and medicine because it is mainly hands-on. Surgical residencies are of two types with one taking 2 years and the other one three years. Both residencies provide experience in internal medicine, emergency medicine, plastic surgery, infectious disease, vascular surgery, dermatology, physical medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, and orthopedic surgery.

After the successful completion of the residency program, one may decide to receive certification through one of the many boards involved with certification in the US. Once one is certified, they can seek employment or decide to venture into the private sector. To become a surgeon in this field, one may have to undertake further training and gain more experience.

This field has two main surgical certifications, that is, foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot surgery. One must gain certification in foot surgery before seeking certification in reconstructive rear-foot. In most cases, certification requires passing oral and computer exams on clinical simulation, written exams and providing surgical logs to show experience and variety.




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