FOOT PAIN & PODIATRY ONLINE DOCTOR OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE EXPLAINED D.P.M.:  D.P.M. is the initials for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.   PODIATRY:  Podiatrics is the medical and surgical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system as related to the foot and ankle. PODIATRIC SURGEON: A podiatric surgeon, also called a podiatric physician or podiatrist, is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) who has extensive training in the diagnosis, and non-surgical and surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system (including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves) as related to the foot and ankle. D.P.M. EDUCATION:  The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that "DPMs receive conventional medical training, plus special training on the foot, ankle and lower leg.  In all of the U.S., District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, Podiatrists must pass state board examinations before they are licensed.  Most require continuing medical education for license renewals."  From an educational standpoint, Podiatric Surgeons must complete up to 9 to 11 years of formal education before they can enter into practice.  This educational process includes four years of study in a college or university, four years of study in podiatric medical school, one to three years of study in podiatric residency at a major medical center. BOARD CERTIFICATION:  Once a Podiatrist is in practice, after five years, the doctor is eligible to take the examination to become board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.  To pass the board certification for the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, the podiatric surgeon must demonstrate mastery of podiatric knowledge by passing both a 300 question written examinations and a 12 question oral examination. Out of the 14,000 practicing podiatric surgeons in the USA, only 3600 have passed the board certification examination by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.  Both Dr. Mark Reed and Dr. Melanie Reed are board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.  Podiatric Surgeons can apply and pass other examination boards for Podiatrist but the ABPS is the highest amd most difficult board certification that a Podiatrist can achieve. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION:  In addition to becoming board certified, Podiatrists must spend 50 hours in studying and attending continuing medical education in Podiatric surgery every two years to maintain current podiatric knowledge and skills if licensed in California.                        Copyright © 1999 PLACENTIA-LINDA FOOT AND ANKLE GROUP Podiatry Associates. All rights reserved.