WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.400 --> 00:00:02.733 Can you think of a body part 2 00:00:02.733 --> 00:00:03.933 that’s under more stress 3 00:00:03.933 --> 00:00:05.266 than your feet? 4 00:00:05.266 --> 00:00:06.299 Probably not— 5 00:00:06.300 --> 00:00:08.366 and that’s why podiatrists train specifically 6 00:00:08.366 --> 00:00:10.232 to care for patients with all types 7 00:00:10.233 --> 00:00:11.699 of foot problems. 8 00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:14.166 Podiatrists are doctors who focus exclusively 9 00:00:14.166 --> 00:00:16.966 on foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. 10 00:00:16.966 --> 00:00:19.099 They examine and diagnose conditions, 11 00:00:19.100 --> 00:00:21.800 perform surgery, prescribe medications, 12 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:23.866 and order imaging tests. 13 00:00:23.866 --> 00:00:26.199 Some of the common conditions they treat 14 00:00:26.200 --> 00:00:28.800 include corns, calluses, ingrown nails, 15 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:31.900 shortened tendons, bunions, and cysts. 16 00:00:31.900 --> 00:00:33.933 They may perform surgery to reconstruct the 17 00:00:33.933 --> 00:00:35.599 foot and ankle, 18 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:37.033 or specialize in areas such as 19 00:00:37.033 --> 00:00:39.199 sports medicine or pediatrics. 20 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:40.733 They also see many patients with 21 00:00:40.733 --> 00:00:43.233 foot problems caused by diabetes. 22 00:00:43.233 --> 00:00:46.633 Most podiatrists work in podiatrists’ offices. 23 00:00:46.633 --> 00:00:48.166 Some work in group practices 24 00:00:48.166 --> 00:00:49.866 with physicians or specialists, 25 00:00:49.866 --> 00:00:51.366 and others in hospitals 26 00:00:51.366 --> 00:00:53.599 and outpatient surgery centers. 27 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:55.100 They may work irregular hours 28 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:57.500 and be on call for urgent cases. 29 00:00:57.500 --> 00:00:59.966 Podiatrists must complete at least 3 years 30 00:00:59.966 --> 00:01:02.732 of undergraduate training in basic sciences, 31 00:01:02.733 --> 00:01:04.966 and most have a bachelor’s degree. 32 00:01:04.966 --> 00:01:06.532 Next, they must complete 4 years 33 00:01:06.533 --> 00:01:08.166 of podiatry school. 34 00:01:08.166 --> 00:01:09.499 They are then required to complete 35 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:11.566 a 3-year residency program, 36 00:01:11.566 --> 00:01:12.966 and must be licensed. 37 00:01:12.966 --> 00:01:14.799 It is often said that you can tell a lot 38 00:01:14.800 --> 00:01:16.633 about someone’s health by simply 39 00:01:16.633 --> 00:01:18.233 looking at their feet. 40 00:01:18.233 --> 00:01:19.866 This goes to show just how important 41 00:01:19.866 --> 00:01:22.599 podiatrists are for keeping patients healthy, 42 00:01:22.600 --> 00:01:24.766 active, and upright.