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 the foot and ankle, either independently or as part of a team with other healthcare professionals.

Formerly know as chiropodists, podiatrists may use a variety of modalities to diagnose and treat foot problems according to their education and experience.

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 who have graduated with a Baccalaureate degree in Podiatric Medicine, or equivalent from an accredited university are eligible to become licensed members of 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.

Some podiatrists also pursue post-graduate education at Masters level in foot surgery or clinical podiatric medicine and research at Phd level.

In addition to podiatry includes theoretical and practical training in :

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

WE HELP YOU :

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

Manitoba podiatrists must adhere to Provincial legislation :

• Chapter 36, The Podiatrists Act, and

• Regulations

• College of Podiatrists of Manitoba's :

• By-laws

• Practice Standards

• Code of Ethics

• Continuing Competence

• Continuing Education

OUR PRACTICE INCLUDES :

• The Diabetic Foot (wound care, preventative care & intervention to reduce the risk of lower limb amputation)

• Treatment of chronic and acute musculo-skeletal injuries of foot and ankle.

• Local management of the arthritic foot (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and sero-negative arthridities).

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

• Diagnosis and treatment of nail pathologies

• In office surgery for nail and superfical skin lesions

• design of foot orthoses including prescription and fabrication

• Sport related injuries

• Seniors palliative foot care

• Paediatric foot problems

• Footwear (assessment, prescription, modification)

• Foot health education

• Foot problems with those at high risk for limb loss because of poor circulation, loss of sensation or immunocomprimise.

COMMON PROBLEMS INCLUDE:

• Heel pain

• Ankle pain

• Forefoot pain

• Pressure lesions of skin (corns and callouses)

• Degenerative joint disease of foot

• Ligament and tendon injury.

• Diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis related foot wounds.

• Pressure lesions of skin (corns and callouses)

• Diseases and deformities of the nails

• Postural symptoms secondary to foot function causing pain in lower limb and spine

Your feet are key to your mobility and to a healthy, active lifestyle and therefore deserve not to be neglected.

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