As a Podiatrist, you could work in the following specialist areas :

Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes can develop complex foot problems during the course of the disease that can lead to episodes of infection, foot ulceration and in some cases amputation of the lower limb. Podiatrists play a pivotal role in the prevention of such problems. They will undertake regular screening of patients to identify those at risk, offer health promotion and design, and implement, management plans to prevent problems occurring. In those with established foot complications podiatrists will provide wound care and dressings, prescribe orthotics to reduce pressure on the foot and offer advice on footwear.

Vascular

People with poor circulation to their feet are at an increased risk of developing foot ulceration and non-healing lesions that could lead to infection, gangrene and amputation. Podiatrists can provide regular screening to identify those with poor circulation at an early stage, undertake vascular assessments of the lower limb, manage skin and nail pathologies and provide wound care for those with foot ulceration.

Rheumatology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RhA) can significantly affect the feet leading to severe deformity and pain. Individuals with RhA benefit from regular podiatry intervention to promote comfort and improve mobility. Podiatrists will reduce painful calluses on the foot, assess foot function and prescribe orthotics to achieve this.

Surgery

As part of the BSc Podiatry training programme podiatrists are trained in minor surgery, for instance nail surgery, and the administration of local anaesthetics into the foot. Following qualification podiatrists can undertake further training to become a podiatric surgeon and undertake more complex bone and joint surgery of the foot.

Podiatric Biomechanics

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat all lower limb and foot ailments, with this in mind, the pinnacle and fundamental subject of consideration is the podiatric biomechanics of each individual. Podiatric biomechanics can be understood as the study of the way the lower limb and foot moves, inclusive of the muscles and soft tissues as well as the anatomical structure and movement of the bones and joints. Podiatrist perform gait analysis on patients,this is a highly skilled clinical tool to aid the understanding of mechanism of why injuries occur and why tissues get stressed within the musculoskeletal system. Podiatrist will prescribe to patients when needed: stretching exercises, lifestyle changes, functional foot orthoses, and specialist footwear advice to enable the rehabilitation of patients’ symptoms.

In clinical practice podiatrists are autonomous practitioners. Central to patient care is the ability to work closely with other health care professionals including: physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons, orthotists, General Practitioners etc. to deliver a multidisciplinary team approach. The undergraduate program brings a new exciting modern approach to the learning of theories and concepts in lower limb biomechanics and offers an evidence based approach to intervention for patient care.

Orthopaedics

Podiatrists often work within orthopaedic partments of hospitals or as part of a multidisciplinary team. As autonomous practitioners they will assess and manage functional foot problems and be able to advise on suitable care plans. They will see patients who will possibly have to undergo surgery as well as ones who have already had surgery. Podiatrists will a have a good working knowledge and understanding of functional soft tissue and bone mechanics which permits the treatment of lower limb and foot symptoms and aids the rehabilitation of gait problems.