Doctor of Chiropody Medicine (DCM)
If you’re suffering from pain in any of your feet, ankles, or areas of your lower legs, you’ll want to visit a chiropodist. A chiropodist is a Doctor of Chiropody Medicine (DCM). Chiropodists study, diagnose, and treat conditions and injuries affecting the above-mentioned areas. Your primary physician may refer you to a chiropodist if they suspect problems in your feet, ankles, and lower extremities.
Chiropodists finish 4 years of chiropody school and a 3-year hospital residency. Chiropodists can pursue specialized fellowship training and advanced certifications granted by various institutions. Chiropodic surgeons, for example, are chiropodists who specialize in foot surgery. Like all doctors, chiropodists must be licensed to practice in the state they work in.
Conditions Chiropodists Treat
Chiropodists treat people of all ages, and most chiropodists treat a variety of general foot and ankle conditions. These include heel pain, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, bunions, plantar warts, hammertoes, flat feet, neuromas, arthritis, and diabetic foot. Many chiropodists specialize in specific foot concerns or areas of foot medicine. These include bunion removal or correction, wound care, orthotics, sports medicine, fractures, and pediatrics.
Chiropodists are true foot and ankle specialists. If you have concerns about your feet, ankles, or lower extremities, consult with a local chiropodist.