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Podiatry: Why Is It Important ?
Podiatry: Why Is It Important ?
Introduction
• At least 80% of the general population has foot
PODIATRY problems, but these problems can often be corrected by
proper assessment, treatment, and, above all, care of
the feet.
B.ARUN.MPT,CMPT,COHS
ORTHOPEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of mechanics of gait and, as a result, cause stress
the foot, ankle and lower leg on other lower limb joints, which in turn may
lead to pathology in these joints.
History
• The term "podiatry" came into use first in the
• Podiatry is practiced as a specialty in many
early 20th century United States.
countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada,
• Field of podiatry, practitioners can focus on
Cyprus Ireland, Malta, New
many different specialty areas, including surgery,
Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United
sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics,
Kingdom and the United States.
pediatrics, orthopedics or primary care.
Podiatric Biomechanics
• The Profession of Podiatry Since the 70s the • It is the study of forces acting on the human
development of the profession has grown rapidly. body its structure and function with particular
reference to the lower limb, the foot and related
pathology.
Planes of Foot
– Clubfoot deformity,
– Web toes,
YOUTH
• Skin and Nail Problems: Generally, plantar's • Traumatic Injuries: Ankle sprains and foot
Warts, Ingrown nails, athletes' foot infections, fractures
splinters, lacerations and sport's injuries. • Growing Pains: Growing Pains such as Sever's
• Exercise-related foot problems : Overuse injuries, Disease that involves pain in the growth plate of
and use of improper technique while exercising or the heel is a very common condition.
playing sports.
ADULT
• Overuse Injuries:
• Acquired Foot Deformities: Due to the amount of
Causing an anatomical structure undergo
the forces that are placed on the foot during
excessive tension or pulling that results in an injury.
walking and standing, the foot will undergo
Commonly treated are Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles'
structural changes that can lead to muscle
Tendonitis, Sesamoiditis, Metatarsal Stress Fracture
imbalances and joint mis-alignment.
and Morton's Neuroma.
• Common acquired foot deformities are bunions,
hammertoes and bone spurs.
Foot Orthotics
The functional orthotic is designed to hold
• Foot orthotics are used to treat foot pain and
the foot straight with the leg with foot is on the
certain foot problems caused by the incorrect
ground and the other foot is passing by during
positioning of the foot while standing, walking
walking and running.
and/or running.
This position is called the neutral position.
References:
1. David Magee