Health Watch by Sherry Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



Podiatry, podiatric medicine or chiropody, is the field of healthcare devoted to the study and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle or lower extremities.

The term podiatrist, or foot doctor, originated in the United States, but has become an accepted term in the English speaking world for all graduates of podiatric medical schools.

All who graduate from a podiatric medical school will earn one of the following degrees: D.P.M., D.P, and B.Pod. Pod B, or Pod.D.

Different countries of the world limit the practice of the podiatrist. In some countries, they usually only treat the foot through non-invasive procedures, and only perform minor surgical procedures such as nail surgery using local anesthetics.

The United States is one of the few countries that grant more invasive surgical privileges to podiatrists. This is due to the training they receive, which is mirrored after the allopathic medical program.

The program stresses nearly the same basic medical sciences for the first two years, but with more emphasis on lower leg anatomy and pathology than a general medical program. This classroom training is followed by 3 years of surgical residency, which enables podiatric surgeons to sit for surgical board certification, thus making them the preeminent authority on foot and ankle surgery.

Concerns of foot health have been in existence as early as ancient Egypt. This is shown by evidence of carvings at the entrance of Ankmahonr’s tomb which is dated around 2400 BC.

Corns and calluses were described by Hippocrates, who recognized the need to reduce the hard skin causing these conditions. He invented skin scrapers for this purpose. His invention has since been reformed to what is commonly today recognized as a surgeon’s scalpel.

A Roman scientist and philosopher named Aulus Cornelius Celsus is responsible for giving corns their name.

There are records that the King of France, as well as Napoleon, employed a personal podiatrist. President Abraham Lincoln suffered greatly with his feet, and chose a podiatrist by the name of Isachar Zacharie to care for his feet. Lincoln also entrusted Zacharie with confidential missions during the war to generals in the field.

Today in the United States, podiatric medicine and surgery is practiced by a licensed Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.). Podiatrists may independently diagnose, treat and prescribe medicines and perform surgery for disorders of the food and in most states also the ankle and leg.

Podiatrists can perform medical and surgical procedures in all 50 states, though the specific scope of practice does vary slightly from state to state.

We all have been influenced or treated by a podiatrist, maybe without even realizing it. Have you ever purchased a Dr. Scholl’s product? William Mathias Scholl began his career in Chicago in 1899, in a small store specializing in comfort and specialist footwear.

His concern with painful foot conditions motivated him to enroll in medical school to study the anatomy and physiology of the foot. By 1904, he graduated from the Illinois Medical College as a doctor of medicine (M.D.) and launched his first foot care product, an arch support.

In 1907, the Scholl Manufacturing Company, Inc. was created. In 1912, Dr. Scholl founded the Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics, one of the first podiatric training facilities.

Within the scope of their practice, podiatrists are the experts in foot, ankle and related leg structure surgery. Some podiatrists limit their practices to the non-hospital surgical treatment of patients.

Podiatrists use their skills also in handling arthritic, diabetic, and other medical problems associated with the feet and lower extremities. Some practices focus on sports medicine and the treatment of runners, dancers, soccer players and other athletes.

Podiatrists also are very efficient in the treatment of other foot related disorders such as ingrown toenails, planter’s warts or basically any abnormality or condition of the feet, ankles or toes.

Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with her husband, Steve Mullenix (R.Ph). They can be reached at 631-1201.