General Overview:
Prevents, diagnoses and treats medical and surgical conditions of the feet, including those resulting from bone and joint disorders, muscular pathologies as well as neurological and circulatory diseases.
Tasks Include:
- examines patients feet to determine the nature and extent of conditions such as skin lesions, bunions, ingrown toenails, foot infections, and deformities such as flat feet, foot imbalance and injury
- examines and treats foot disabilities of paralysis, ulceration and malfunction caused by diseases such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and other neuropathies
- prescribes and arranges the fabrication of footwear to correct foot disabilities
- performs minor surgery to remove or ameliorate abnormal conditions
- prescribes and fits replaceable pads, palliative and functional supports and other devices for the protection and correction of foot abnormalities
- advises patients about continued treatment and foot care to prevent recurrences
- may provide rehabilitation services to the physically handicapped
- may refer to, or have patients referred from, medical practitioners
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