The study of the mechanical nature of the foot and lower extremity is called biomechanics. Biomechanics is a specialized branch of science that uses the mechanical principles of physics to study the motions and forces on the human body. During their four years of medical training, Podiatrists receive specialized, in-depth training on how the movements and forces in the foot affect the movements and forces in the rest of the lower extremity, and how the movements and forces in the lower extremity affect the movements and forces in the foot.
No other medical specialty has this in-depth training, which is necessary to understand lower extremity pathology as it relates to the biomechanics of foot function, which makes the podiatrist is the most qualified medical specialist to diagnose and treat foot pathology.
Understanding the biomechanics of the foot and lower extremity is very important to design an appropriate treatment plan for a patient. Biomechanics also plays an important part in the planning for corrective surgery of injuries, such as tendon ruptures or bone fractures, or for the surgical correction of deformities of the foot, such as hammertoes, bunions, or heel spurs.
Due to the podiatrist's training and expertise in biomechanics, either functional or accommodative orthoses are often prescribed as part of the treatment plan. In some cases an orthosis will be all that is required for the successful treatment of foot or lower extremity pathology. However more often an orthosis will be prescribed in conjunction with other therapies, such as stretching or strengthening exercises, oral or injectable medications, and specific types of shoes, in order to provide maximum healing for the patient.
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