Foot Doctor Overland Park – KC Foot Care

 

 

Podiatry ( or podiatric medicine  is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. The term podiatry came into use in the early 20th century in the United States and is now used worldwide, including in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Podiatry is practiced as a specialty in many countries, while in many English-speaking countries, the older title of chiropodist may be used by some clinicians (not to be confused with chiropractics, which is unrelated). In Australia, graduates of recognised academic programs can register through the Podiatry Board of Australia as a “podiatrist”, and those with additional recognised training may also receive endorsement to prescribe or administer restricted medications and/or seek specialist registration as a “podiatric surgeon”. In many non-English-speaking countries of Europe, the title used may be podologue (French) or podólogo (Spanish and Italian). The level and scope of the practice of podiatry vary among countries.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and structures of the leg. The US podiatric medical school curriculum includes lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, physiology, general medicine, physical assessment, biochemistry, neurobiology, pathophysiology, genetics and embryology, microbiology, histology, pharmacology, women’s health, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, research, ethics and jurisprudence, biomechanics, general principles of orthopedic surgery, and foot and ankle surgery.

US trained podiatrists rotate through major areas of medicine during residency, including emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, anesthesia, radiology, pathology, infectious disease, endocrinology, sports medicine, physical therapy, biomechanics, geriatrics, internal medicine, critical care, cardiology, vascular surgery, psychiatric and behavioral health, neurology, pediatrics, dermatology, pain management, wound care, and primary care.

In the United States, medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle is mainly provided by two groups of physicians: podiatrists (who hold the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine or DPM) and orthopedic surgeons (MD or DO).

The first two years of podiatric medical school is similar to training that M.D. and D.O. students receive, but with an emphasized scope on foot, ankle, and lower extremity. Being classified as a second entry degree, in order to be considered for admission an applicant must first complete a minimum of 90 semester hours at the university level or more commonly, complete a bachelor’s degree with emphasis on general/organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, etc. In addition, potential students are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The DPM degree itself takes a minimum of four years to complete.

The four-year podiatric medical school is followed by a surgical based residency, which is hands-on post-doctoral training. As of July 2013, all residency programs in podiatry were required to transition to a minimum three-years of post-doctoral training. Podiatric residents rotate through core areas of medicine and surgery. They work alongside their MD and DO counterparts in such rotations as emergency medicine, internal medicine, infectious disease, behavioral medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, vascular surgery, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology and of course podiatric surgery and medicine. Fellowship training is available after residency in such fields such as geriatrics, foot and ankle traumatology, infectious disease etc. In reality though, the residency training of most podiatry residencies today are already highly inclusive of these medical areas.

Upon completion of their residency, podiatrists can decide to become board certified by a number of specialty boards including the more common American Board of Podiatric Medicine and/or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. The ABPMS or The American Board of Podiatric Medical Specialties has been certifying podiatrists since 1998. Within the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, PM&S 24 graduates can sit for Board Certification in Foot Surgery and those that complete PM&S 36 can sit for Board Certification in Foot Surgery and Board Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle Surgery. Both boards in ABPS are examined as separate tracks. Though the ABPS and ABPM are more common, other boards are equally challenging and confer board qualified/certified status. Many hospitals and insurance plans do not require board eligibility or certification to participate.

Podiatrists certified by the ABPS have successfully completed an intense board certification process comparable to that undertaken by individual MD and DO specialties. There are two surgical certifications under ABPS. They are Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle (RRA) Surgery. In order to be Board Certified in RRA, the sitting candidate has to have already achieved board certification in Foot Surgery. Certification by ABPS requires initial successful passing of the written examination. Then the candidate is required to submit surgical logs indicating experience and variety. Once accepted, the candidate has to successfully pass oral examination and computer questions of clinical simulation.

Dr. Thomas Bembineasta, serving Overland Park and Kansas City, Missouri (both north off Barry Rd. and south of the river, midtown area). Dr. Bembineasta offers expert podiatric services and focuses on patient care and responding to individual patient needs.

Dr. Bembineasta is originally from Chicago but has been practicing in Kansas City for 34 years. My philosophy is always to put the patient first, time will always be taken to listen to your problem and review treatments. Each care plan is tailored to your individual needs. We use advanced technology with digital x-rays, lasers, and instructional videos.

Podiatrists hold Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degrees (D.P.M.). Dr. Bembineasta is also board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

The podiatry practice of Dr. Thomas Bembineasta, serves Independence, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri (both north and south of the River), and Overland Park, Kansas, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Bembineasta offers expert and professional podiatric services and focuses on patient care and responding to his patients’ needs.

Originally from Chicago, Dr. Bembineasta has now been practicing in the Kansas City area for 28 years. We accept most insurances and will assist you with questions concerning coverage.

Podiatrists hold doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degrees. Dr. Bembineasta is also board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Podiatrists are the foremost authorities and medical specialists of the foot and ankle. The following list includes some common conditions that podiatrists often diagnose and treat:

• Heel pain
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Planter warts – Hammertoes
• Morton’s neuroma and
• Planter fasciitis.

We have offices in Overland Park and Kansas City off Barry Road. Call us when looking for Foot Doctor Overland Park