"Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle."
The care and treatment of foot and ankle problems commonly experienced by elderly patients, such as arthritis, circulation issues, and neuropathy.
Common Foot Problems in the Elderly: This topic will discuss some of the most common foot problems that affect older adults, including hammertoes, bunions, corns, calluses, fungal infections, and plantar fasciitis.
Foot Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the foot is essential for providing effective geriatric foot care. This topic will introduce the various components of the foot and their functions.
Foot Assessments for the Elderly: Conducting a thorough foot assessment is crucial when dealing with elderly patients. This topic will describe the key aspects of a geriatric foot assessment, including visual inspection, palpation, and history-taking.
Footwear for the Elderly: Choosing the right footwear can help prevent foot problems and ensure a comfortable, active lifestyle for older adults. This topic will discuss the important factors to consider when selecting appropriate footwear for the elderly.
Diabetic Foot Care: Diabetes is a common condition among older adults, and it can take a significant toll on foot health. This topic will cover the basics of diabetic foot care and offer tips for preventing foot complications.
Fall Prevention: Falls are a major concern for older adults, and foot problems can increase the risk of falls. This topic will explore ways to prevent falls by addressing foot-related issues.
Physical Therapy for the Foot: Physical therapy can be a valuable tool for addressing foot problems in the elderly. This topic will describe some of the most common physical therapy techniques that can be used to promote foot health.
Wound Care: Older adults are more susceptible to foot injuries and infections, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated. This topic will cover the basics of wound care for geriatric patients, including cleaning, dressing, and monitoring wounds.
Geriatric Foot Care Equipment: There are many specialized tools and equipment that can be used to provide effective geriatric foot care. This topic will introduce some of the most common tools used by podiatrists and other foot health professionals.
Geriatric Foot Care Procedures: Podiatrists may need to perform a variety of procedures to treat foot problems in elderly patients. This topic will provide an overview of some of the most common procedures, including toenail removal, corn and callus removal, and wart removal.
Infectious Diseases and the Foot: Elderly patients may be more susceptible to infectious diseases that affect the foot, such as athlete's foot and fungal infections. This topic will cover the basics of infectious diseases and how to treat them.
Chronic Diseases and the Foot: Older adults are more likely to have chronic diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, which can affect foot health. This topic will explore the relationship between chronic diseases and foot health, as well as strategies for managing foot problems associated with these conditions.
Routine Foot Care: Routine foot care involves basic hygiene, such as washing and drying the feet, trimming nails, and checking for minor skin or nail problems, corns or calluses.
Diabetic Foot Care: Foot care is especially important for people with diabetes to avoid complications related to poor circulation or nerve damage. Minor injuries such as blisters, cuts or ingrown toenails can develop into serious infections or ulcers.
Wound Care: Geriatric foot care includes treating wounds or injuries that do not heal quickly, such as pressure ulcers or diabetic wounds.
Orthotics: Orthotics are customized shoe inserts designed to improve foot function or reduce pain due to biomechanical issues.
Footwear modification: Shoes affect the feet and vice-versa. Proper fitting shoes are important to help prevent foot problems such as corns and calluses, blisters or nail problems.
Corn and Callus Debridement: Removal of thickened areas of skin usually caused by pressure or friction.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Nail Disorders: Correct diagnosis of nail disorders is important for effective treatment. Treatment for nail problems includes maintenance and regular monitoring of the problem.
Biomechanical Assessment: Identification of functional problems of the feet which relate to pain or foot deformities.
Treatment of heel pain: Heel pain treatment can include physical therapies, shockwave therapy, and surgical intervention if conservative treatments fail.
Arthritic Foot Care: Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat arthritic foot conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
Palliative Foot Care: In geriatric foot care, a podiatrist can provide pain relief for conditions such as a bony deformity, recurring infections or tumors.
Sports Medicine: Podiatrists help develop preventive strategies to minimize the risk of injuries in sports. They provide treatment for foot and leg injuries related to sports.
Geriatric Foot Care: A specialized approach to caring for the feet of aging patients. A Podiatrist will assess the patient’s risk of falling, develop prevention strategies, and address foot and nail problems specific to this age group.
"The healthcare professional is known as a podiatrist."
"The US podiatric medical school curriculum includes lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, physiology, general medicine, physical assessment, biochemistry, neurobiology, pathophysiology, genetics and embryology, microbiology, histology, pharmacology, women's health, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, research, ethics and jurisprudence, biomechanics, general principles of orthopedic surgery, and foot and ankle surgery."
"Some clinicians in English-speaking countries use the older title chiropodist."
"Graduates of recognized academic programs in Australia can register through the Podiatry Board of Australia as a 'podiatrist.'"
"Those with additional recognized training may also receive endorsement to prescribe or administer restricted medications and/or seek specialist registration as a 'podiatric surgeon.'"
"A general podiatrist with a single specialty earns a median salary of $230,357."
"One with a multi-specialty practice type earns $270,263."
"A podiatry surgeon makes more with a single specialty, with the median at $304,474."
"The median salary for a podiatry surgeon with a multi-specialty practice is $286,201."
"First-year salaries around $150,000 with performance and productivity incentives are common."
"Private practice revenues for solo podiatrists vary widely, with the majority of solo practices grossing between $200,000 and $600,000 before overhead."
"Podiatry is devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle."
"The curriculum includes lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, physiology, general medicine, physical assessment, biochemistry, neurobiology, pathophysiology, genetics and embryology, microbiology, histology, pharmacology, women's health, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, research, ethics and jurisprudence, biomechanics, general principles of orthopedic surgery, and foot and ankle surgery."
"The Podiatry Board of Australia allows graduates of recognized academic programs to register as podiatrists."
"Additional recognized training in Australia may lead to privileges such as prescribing or administering restricted medications or seeking specialist registration as a 'podiatric surgeon.'"
"A general podiatrist with a single specialty earns a median salary of $230,357, while one with a multi-specialty practice type earns $270,263."
"A podiatry surgeon with a single specialty earns a median salary of $304,474 compared to the multi-specialty practice's $286,201."
"Private practice revenues for solo podiatrists vary widely, with the majority of solo practices grossing between $200,000 and $600,000 before overhead."
"In some English-speaking countries, the older title of chiropodist is still used by some clinicians."