Who do runners, joggers, and walkers turn to when they want to workout without injury and enjoy it? The sports podiatrist, of course. Those who fail to seek their advice (or foolishly ignore it) can often expect to suffer from various types of painful injuries. In fact, without proper treatment, an athlete's minor foot injury can turn into a potentially career ending condition.
As a medical professional, a sports podiatrist will diagnose an athlete's sports-related foot or ankle problem by carefully examining his or her injury. Based on its severity, the podiatrist may prescribe medication, design a rehabilitation program, or offer guidance on how to avoid future injuries. The specific treatment will take into account both the needs of the athlete and the demands of the sport. If needed, the sports podiatrist may perform surgery to repair a broken bone or damaged ligament.
To pursue a career in sports podiatry, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. You'll also need a four-year degree in podiatric medicine (DPM) from one of a handful of podiatric medicine colleges across the U.S. After that, you'll need to complete a two-year residency program and pass a licensing exam.
With today's heightened interest in exercise and fitness, increasing numbers of people will seek the services of a sports podiatrist.
What can you expect to earn as a licensed sports podiatrist? Median annual earnings were $94,870 in 2002, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,500 and $139,230 a year.
For more information, check out the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website at
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.
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