Podiatry

Podiatry Expert Witness

A Podiatry expert witness is a Podiatrist (DPM) testifying on the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity.  Podiatry, or Podiatric Medicine, is a field of study dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. Podiatrists may perform surgery, prescribe medications, interpret radiographs, treat fractures, fit orthotics (e.g. insoles and custom-made shoes), and perform physical therapy. To become a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a candidate must first complete an undergraduate curriculum followed by four years of graduate education at one of nine accredited podiatric schools in the United States. Upon completion, graduates undertake a 3-year residency in order to become competent in Podiatric Surgery and to be eligible for certification by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) or the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). Podiatrists treat a broad spectrum of non-surgical issues, though they also perform reconstructive and microsurgical procedures on the foot and ankle. Podiatrists also treat fractures and sports-related injuries in addition to prescribing orthotics, prosthetics, and physical therapy. Podiatrists can also specialize in a range of areas including wound care, pediatrics, diabetic foot care, sports medicine, and surgery. As a result, Podiatrists treat disorders ranging from common bunions to complex infections of the diabetic foot.

The field of Podiatry shares some commonality with General Orthopedic Surgery and Foot & Ankle Surgery. These latter fields are practiced by medical doctors (M.D.s) who complete four years of medical school followed by an extended residency in Orthopedics, often with additional fellowship training. Despite the protracted duration of M.D. education, Podiatrists and Orthopedic Surgeons share a great deal in common in terms of isolated foot and ankle care.  A carefully selected Podiatry expert witness can address any of these areas.

Podiatry expert witnesses are required in a range of scenarios in medical malpractice litigation. Issues may involve standard of care (e.g. failure to diagnose) as well as analyzing issues of harm and causation related to delayed diagnosis or improper treatment. Elite thrives on these tough situations and has an extensive record of success in complex Podiatry litigation and consulting.

Podiatry Case Matter

With hand-selected Podiatry experts from leading universities, and with each specialist vetted for the specifics of the case, Elite can handle any aspect of Podiatry consulting and litigation, including:

  • Hammer toes
  • Bunions and bunionectomy
  • Chopart’s joint
  • Diabetic foot infection
  • Ingrown toenail
  • Foot and ankle trauma
  • Foot and ankle fractures
  • Ankle joint replacement (total ankle arthroplasty)
  • Diabetic foot infections, osteomyelitis, ischemia, and amputation
  • Tendinitis
  • Tendon rupture
  • Toe fractures
  • Plantar warts
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendon repair
  • Clubfoot
  • Heel spurs
  • Neuroma
  • Puncture wounds
  • Toenail fungus (Onychomycosis or “tinea unguium”)
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease

Due to the unique challenges in the field of Podiatrics, a Board-Certified Podiatry expert witness from a top university medical center will be an invaluable resource. To secure a hand-selected Podiatric expert witness who is ready to work with you, please contact Elite Medical Experts and speak with a physician or nurse on Elite’s experienced Case Strategy Team today.

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Author Profile

Dr. Burton Bentley II, the CEO of Elite Medical Experts, is a nationally renowned authority on medical liability, informed consent, and complex issues at the intersections of medicine, law, and business. As a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and entrepreneur, Dr. Bentley founded Elite Medical Experts in 2010 while overseeing nearly a decade of year-over-year growth. Dr. Bentley also developed and patented a commercial medical device and co-founded Consent Spectrum, a state-of-the-art digital platform for informed consent in aesthetic medical procedures.  Outside of Elite, Dr. Bentley can be found spending time with his family and riding horses in Tucson’s riverbeds and deserts.

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