About Podiatry

WE ARE SPECIALISTS :

• Podiatrists are medically trained healthcare professionals who specialise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the foot and lower limb.

• As specialists, we play an important role in treating foot pathologies, either independently or as part of a team with other healthcare professionals.

Evolving from a long established and respected profession, formerly know as chiropody, today's podiatrists carry not only a modern name but practice using the most modern techniques and technology when diagnosing and treating foot problems.

In Manitoba the profession of Podiatry is governed by an Act of provincial legislation : Chapter 36, The Podiatrists Act, which appoints a licensing body to regulate the profession, to ensure qualification standards in its membership, to actively further skills and training, and to promote understanding of the profession.

• The licensing body is the College of Podiatrists of Manitoba.

In Manitoba, only those practitioners who have graduated from a Baccalaureate degree in Podiatric Medicine, or equivalent from an accredited university are eligible to become licensed members with the College of Podiatrists of Manitoba.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Licensed podiatrists must have successfully completed at least three years of full-time study leading to a Baccalaureate degree in Podiatric Medicine, or equivalent from an accredited university.

Many podiatrists also pursue post-graduate education in this field.

In addition to podiatry training we receive theoretical and practical training in :

• Medical sciences
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Pharmacology
• Dermatology
• Anatomy, and
• Therapeutics

WE HELP YOU :

The College of Podiatrists of Manitoba offers you an expert resource when seeking diagnosis and treatment for any foot pathologies.

This means that you are assured of quality care from podiatrists who have undergone at least three years of full-time study at an accredited university.

This means that Manitoba podiatrists must adhere to :

•  provincial legislation :

• Chapter 36, The Podiatrists Act, and

• Regulations

• the College of Podiatrists of Manitoba's :

• By-laws

• Practice Standards

• Code of Ethics

• Continuing Competence

• Continuing Education

OUR SCOPE OF PRACTICE INCLUDES :

• diabetic foot management (preventative care & intervention to reduce the risk of lower limb amputation)

• treatment of chronic foot pain (due to structural stress, soft tissue changes, repetitive strain)

• management of the arthritic foot (associated with deformity and tissue viability in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and sero-negative arthridities)

• management of locomotor dysfunctions affecting the foot (cerebral palsy, polio, spina-bifida, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease)

• diagnosis and management of nail pathologies (nail dystrophies, onychocryptosis - conservative or surgical management)

• removal of benign cutaneous and sub-cutaneous lesions (with or without local anaesthesia)

• design of foot orthoses including prescription and fabrication

• sports injuries

• seniors foot health management

• paediatric foot pathologies

• footwear (assessment, prescription, modification)

• foot health education

• high risk patient management (vascular/neuropathic)

OUR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS INCLUDE :

• computerised pressure measurements

• CAD/CAM foot orthoses (design and fabrication)

• Electrosurgery

• Non-invasive vascular assessment

TYPICAL SYMPTOMS :

• Foot pain

• heel pain syndrome

• plantar fasciitis

• capsulitis

• bursitis

• tendonitis

• intermetatarsal neuroma

• metatarsalgia

• posterior tibial syndrome

• sesamoiditis

• abductor hallucis strain

• soft tissue injury, secondary to bone deformity

• Pressure lesions :

• ulcers

• keratomas (corns and calluses)

• Dermatological pathologies

• nail pathologies

• mycotic (fungal) infections

• plantar warts

• hyperhidrosis/bromidrosis (sweaty feet)

• hyperkeratosis (calluses)

• psoriasis

• Postural symptoms secondary to foot function affecting

• lower back

• hip

• knee

Your feet are key to your mobility and to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Ensure their long-term care by consulting members of the College of Podiatrists of Manitoba.

To find a podiatrist :

• see the link on this web site, or
• look up "Podiatry" in the yellow pages.

( Created June 8, 2003)

Copyright 2003 - College of Podiatrists of Manitoba