The professional field of podiatry
The profession podiatrist belongs to the medical professions and is defined as non-medical medicine on the foot. It is a relevant part of preventive measures and in the accompanying therapy of various foot diseases, such as diabetic foot syndrome.
The responsibilities of a podiatrist include:
Measures for skin changes on the feet:
Podiatrists care for and treat diseases of the foot, e.g- The removal of excess cornea as part of a hyperkeratosis treatment
- the care of corns and warts as well as
- for tears in particularly dry skin
Nail Treatments:
They also carry out measures for nail changes, such as
- Ingrown, curled and thickened nails
- Nail fungus / mycosis therapies
- correct nail misalignments
Orthosis technology:
Podiatrists correct misalignments of the toes and carry out pressure relief and measures to protect against friction.
Further therapeutic measures:
Other therapeutic measures can be foot massages and mobilization exercises.Advice:
Podiatrists advise patients on how to prevent injuries and give instructions on how to properly care for their feet.
Podiatrists work closely with other medical professionals such as doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and orthopedic shoe technicians to ensure comprehensive treatment for patients.
How do podiatrists support people with diabetes?
Podiatrists play an important role in the therapy support of patients with diabetes. People who have diabetes are at increased risk of foot problems because the condition can affect blood flow and nerve function. Unnoticed, this can lead to injuries, infections and, as a result, even necessary amputations. A common foot disorder associated with diabetes is diabetic foot syndrome.
To prevent long-term damage, a podiatrist can provide patients with diabetes with comprehensive advice and specialized assistance with foot care and injury prevention. A podiatrist can also carry out regular examinations as part of an anamnesis and podiatric findings in order to be able to identify and treat emerging problems at an early stage.
Are the treatments paid for by health insurance?
Whether treatments by podiatrists are paid for by health insurance depends on the individual insurance conditions and the respective health insurance company.
Statutory health insurance companies
In Germany, the services of podiatrists are usually not covered by statutory health insurance (GKV). However, there are some exceptions, for example patients with diabetes or a diabetic foot syndrome, where the treatments can be paid for by the GKV once they have been prescribed by a doctor.
Private health insurance companies
It is also possible for the respective private health insurance company to take over the services. In this case, it depends on the individual insurance conditions of the health insurance company whether and to what extent the services are covered.
Where can podiatrists be found?
Podiatrists can either have their own practice or be employed in larger institutions. Examples of this include clinics, rehabilitation centers, care facilities or special outpatient foot clinics. They work closely with other medical professionals such as doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Where can I find a suitable podiatrist in my area?
You can find podiatrists in your area, for example, at the Association of German Podiatrists or the German Association for Podiatry (ZFD) e. V. seek and find.
What is the purpose of measuring the temperature of the feet?
Elevated temperature values can indicate possible incipient inflammation, which can lead to complications in patients with diabetic foot syndrome, for example. In addition to daily foot checks, several studies have shown the positive effects of regular plantar temperature measurements.
The studies mentioned below were not carried out with intelligent shoe inserts.
The first indications of this came as early as 1975 in a study by Bergtholdt and Brand .
The International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) led by Prof. Dr. Bus has already included regular foot temperature checks as a recommendation in its guidelines .
Further studies indicate that over 70% (sometimes even over 90%) of foot complications were detected early through temperature measurements.
How can the intelligent shoe inserts from osentec support?
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The intelligent shoe inserts from osentec use tiny sensors to measure the temperature of the soles of the feet and detect differences from as little as 0.1°C. The associated app compares the recorded values with each other and sends a message as soon as the temperature differences last longer than 48 hours. In this way, we support the initiation of measures at an early stage and thus a preventive reaction to possible ulcers and wounds.
We would be happy to advise you on the advantages of an accompanying measure using our intelligent shoe inserts. Visit our osentec website for more information on how the insoles work and how they can contribute to well-being. you can reach us at info@osentec.de and by telephone on 0395 3511 6213.