Podiatry corresponds to medical foot care and therefore a medical professional category that deals with the curative and preventive treatment of the feet by using individual applications such as foot baths, anointments and measures for nail as well as callus care. Podiatrists work closely with doctors, shoemakers and physiotherapists, and a doctor usually refers his patients to certified podiatrists in the context of phenomena such as diabetic foot, so that the cost of treatment for curative foot care is often covered by health insurance. Since 2012, podiatry can be learned in a three-year course of study, although the professional title of podiatrist is protected by law and the abuse is sanctioned with a fine of up to 2500 euros.
What is podiatry?
Podiatry corresponds to medical foot care, and therefore a medical professional category that deals with curative and preventive treatment of the feet. The term podiatry includes curative and preventive measures of professional foot care, which are carried out by non-medical authority. Podiatry meets dermatological, surgical, orthopedic and diabetological requirements with regard to the foot. Within Germany, the term podiatrist corresponds to a protected medical professional title. Thus, only persons who have been officially authorized to do so may identify themselves as podologists. Podiatry works closely with doctors, shoemakers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, with most podiatrists holding a health insurance license. Podiatrists work in hospitals or their own podiatry practices. Since 2012, there is a separate course of study to podiatry, which lasts three years in the standard period of study.
Function, effect and goals
Podological measures are extremely versatile. For approximately each complaint picture in connection with the foot special applications are available in this area. However, the diabetic foot syndrome is so far the only disease for which patients can receive from the doctor a remedy prescription for podological treatment, which can be submitted to the health insurance. Currently, diabetic foot syndrome as a secondary disease of diabetes mellitus is responsible for about two thirds of all amputations performed in Germany. As a result of circulatory disorders, wounds occur on the lower leg and especially on the foot in the course of the diabetic disease, but nerve damage also occurs. In some cases, the syndrome can also lead to the development of a so-called Charcot foot, which means that the joints and bones of the foot are destroyed. Those who are sent to a podiatrist because of diabetic foot syndrome receive curative treatments there, which are fully covered by the health insurance. These treatments focus primarily on wound care and nursing. In addition to a lukewarm foot bath, this care includes conscientious skin care of the affected foot, with creams containing urea in particular being used to prevent cracks in the long term. After the professional foot bath, the podiatrist carefully rubs the spaces between the toes dry to give athlete’s foot no chance. The podiatrist then inspects the foot thoroughly for injuries and other pathological phenomena in order to get an overall picture. He discovers any inflammations and ulcers as well as open wounds, pressure points and blisters or nail problems. Subsequently, the podiatrist takes care of the thus discovered phenomena. For example, he takes care of the nails and calluses of the affected foot. As a rule, he does not use sharp objects for this purpose, as this would damage the sensitive foot even more. Instead, he uses nail files and pumice stones and also works with skin-care ointments that are applied to the soles and backs of the feet, but not to the spaces between the toes. In some circumstances, the podiatrist gives the patient helpful tips for daily foot care at home in addition to the treatment.
Risks, side effects and dangers
A podological foot treatment is not associated with risks, nor side effects for the patient, as long as it is performed by a competent body. Especially the opening foot bath is designed for relaxation, so most patients find their visit to the podiatrist largely pleasant.However, podological treatments are relatively time-consuming and take around 40 minutes, including individual consultation, inspection and care of the foot. If the doctor orders podological complex treatments related to a specific complaint, then the stay at the podiatrist can even last up to an hour. Medically prescribed complex treatments at a professional podiatrist are usually not one-time events, but take place at regular intervals. Usually, about three individual sessions per month are ordered. During these sessions, the treating podiatrist regularly consults with the referring physician to get an overview of the situation and, in turn, to report back to the physician on his findings and treatment measures. In the case of such medically prescribed podiatrist visits, the treatment costs are borne by the health insurance company. However, this only applies if it is a certified podiatry practice or the treatment takes place directly in the hospital. On the other hand, anyone who visits a podiatrist without a doctor’s referral slip and only for preventive purposes will not usually be reimbursed for this visit by the health insurance company, but will have to pay the total amount on their own. Although podological treatments can be carried out in the course of a hospital stay, such a treatment is outpatient in itself. This means that anyone who is in hospital anyway may receive podological treatment as an inpatient. However, no one is admitted as an inpatient solely for podiatric treatment.
