What is Podiatry writes Dr. Burton S. Schuler, of Panama City

Around the turn of the century, (1911) M.J. Lewi, M.D., then the Executive Director of the New York State Medical Society, felt there was a tremendous need for a specialist trained in the care and treatment of the human foot. He then went about opening the first school for the training of such medical specialists.
For many years thereafter, foot care specialists were trained in the proper way to cut toenails, learned how to construct a beneficial arch support and received instructions on how to relieve such common disorders as painful Corns and Calluses. Through the years, these people were known as Chiropodists, and some who were trained throughout this period are still in practice today.
After 1950, a great evolution took place which resulted in the upgrading of these medical men. Podiatry grew out of the profession of Chiropodist. In 1957, the American Chiropodity Association was changed to the American Podiatry Association, and its membership today is no longer limited to those with pre-surgical type training but includes a multitude of those who practice far more sophisticated surgical procedures, and who, like any other type of physician or surgeon, earn their degree as a D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine).
At the present time, there are approximately 14,000 practicing podiatrists in the United States, all functioning in an individualistic style in accordance with their educational background and the nature of their specialization. There are those who confine themselves to such tasks as properly trimming toenails, and others who excel in the insertion of artificial ankle joints.

There are Podiatric:

• Pain Specialist
• Dermatologists
• Pediatricians
• Radiologists
• Surgeons

Skillfully trained as both a physician and surgeon of the foot, the podiatrist is best equipped to diagnose and treat both simple and complex foot problems. The range of a podiatrist’s diagnosis and care can be said to be extremely more far-reaching in the sense that it concerns itself with your complete physical history, past illnesses, current ailments and medications, occupation and hobbies, and any other factors that contribute to the general lifestyle of your feet. (It all plays a part, you know, and none of these areas can be ignored if the most effective solution to a foot ailment is to be found.) Surgical Podiatrists, are given to consideration of a patient’s professional and personal commitments in scheduling the best time and place for surgery.
Generally speaking, the greater percentage of foot surgery can be comfortably accomplished in the podiatrist’s office. When and wherever possible, hospitalization and the use of general anesthetics are avoided, which in turn permits the patient to immediately return to his family and to recuperate in an environment that is not alien to him. Major Bunion corrections, the relocation of dislocated metatarsal heads, the removal of painful Heel Spurs and Ingrown Toenails are problems which are all handled in the podiatrist’s office on a daily basis.