Role of podiatrist and bio-mechanics practitioner Flashcards
Explain the role of a podiatrist
- Diagnose & treat problems w/ feet & lower limbs
- Give advice on looking after feet & shoes.
- Assess gait & function- they understand the anatomy & disease processes occurring in the foot that may alter gait.
- Podiatrists use biomechanics practitioners & physiotherapists to correct abnormalities of gait
What type of problems do (and don’t) podiatrists deal with?
Deal with:
- deformities- prevent & correct
- verrucas
- athletes food
- dry & cracked heels
- flat feet
- gout
- blisters
- sports injuried
Dont:
- manage gait disturbances brought by certain conditions e.g. OA of hip/knee, spinal cord injuries or upper motor neurone lesions
How can podiatrists treat these problems?
Assess gait - treadmills, high shutter speed cameras & videos.
Pain management - through pharmacological treatments & other procedures to correct these deformities.
Orthotics - uses external braces & orthoses to correct abnormal gaits.
- Reduce weight-bearing forces
- Correct shape & function
- Restrict or control movements of joints
Advice on exercises & suitable footwear.
Treat skin infections, calluses, verrucas & hard skin during the consultation.
Explain the role of biomechanics practitioners.
- collaborate w/ physiotherapists, podiatrists & other specialities.
- Correct gait & movements of any regions of the body.
- Reverse the effects an abnormal gait had on the body.
- Use knowledge of anatomy & forces around a joint on gait to come to a diagnosis & management plan.
Biomechanics practitioners treat patients with deformity of structure. Podiatrist who treat diseases of the foot.
What type of problems do biomechanics practitioners deal with?
Physical deformities hat affect movement
Injuries sustained from accidents or sports
asymmetrical body
Pain in lower limbs, heel arch for Achillies tendonitis
Flat feet or high arches
Falls prevention
How do biomechanics practitioners treat these problems?
- History
- Static assessment - involves examination of the hip, knee, ankle & foot. T
- also examine the strength of the bones. - Dynamic assessment - involves recording footage of the patient running/walking/jogging on a treadmill.
- Tractograph - measures angles of the lower limbs.
- Goniometer - measures the available range of motion of a joint