A career in podiatry is one area that those thinking about their future may want to consider. Podiatry is that profession that is focused on the prevention and management of ailments of the feet and connected structures. Podiatry practitioners make use of a variety of different medical, physical, pharmacological, biomechanical and surgical treatments to manage just about anything that can and does go wrong with the foot. The education becoming a podiatrist differs from country to country with the degree being a 4 yr undergraduate degree in most countries with post-graduate courses in areas of interest. In the USA it is a 4 yr post-graduate degree followed with a 3 year post degree residency. The range of practice and the number of years of education does vary a lot around the world. A simple search on the internet should turn up the details necessary for education in each country.

The longer term for podiatry is more than likely excellent as a result of aging populace and also the diabetes epidemic being fuelled by the obesity crisis. Those in the older age groups have a higher incidence of foot conditions, so as the population ages, so too will the requirement for podiatrists. It is the same with the obesity problems which is resulting in the significantly increased incidence of diabetes. Those with diabetes are at a substantially increased risk for problems of the feet and even amputation, so in these people excellent foot care and podiatry management is necessary to prevent and treat these problems.

Podiatrists also work in lots of other various areas such as sports medicine and paediatrics. Here they will use various treatment techniques to avoid and treat conditions of the foot and leg in athletes and children. Their function is very helpful in these populations. In rheumatology settings they are going to be working together with other health care professionals to deal with all the problems which happen in the feet of those with the various joint disease type ailments.