MEDICALPREP

A podiatrist, formally known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is a medical specialist in the U.S. healthcare system who focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions, diseases, and functional disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities.

足科医生，是美国医疗体系中专门负责诊断与治疗脚部、踝关节以及下肢相关疾病和功能障碍的医学专家。

Training and Scope of Practice

培训与执业范围

Podiatrists receive comprehensive medical training and have full practice rights.

足科医生接受完整的医学训练，拥有独立行医权。

They are able to:

他们能够：

• Diagnose and treat common and complex foot and ankle conditions, such as flatfoot, Achilles tendinitis, bunions, diabetic foot, and neuropathies.
   

• 诊断与治疗各种常见或复杂的足踝疾病，如扁平足、跟腱炎、拇外翻、糖尿病足、足部神经病变等。
   

• Perform podiatric surgeries, including corrective procedures, fracture repair, and joint replacement.
   

• 进行足部手术（Podiatric Surgery），包括矫形手术、骨折修复、关节置换等。
   

• Prescribe medications and utilize medical imaging (e.g., X-ray, MRI) for assessment.
   

• 开具处方药、使用医学影像（如 X 光、MRI）进行评估。
   

• Design and supervise rehabilitation plans, such as custom orthotics and gait training.
   

• 设计并指导康复计划，例如鞋垫矫正、步态训练等。
   

• Collaborate with other specialties (orthopedics, internal medicine, dermatology, etc.) in managing multi-system issues.
   

• 与骨科、内科、皮肤科等协作处理多系统问题。
   

Professional Standing

职业地位

In the United States, podiatrists hold a professional status and practice authority comparable to physicians with MD or DO degrees, including internists and surgeons.

在美国，足科医生的职业地位和执业权限与内科医生、外科医生等持有 MD 或 DO 学位的医生基本等同。