HB 310

Under existing law, the practice of podiatry is defined to include the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the human foot

This bill would expand the scope of the practice of podiatry to include treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg

Relating to podiatry; to amend Section 34-24-230, Code of Alabama 1975; to expand the scope of the practice of podiatry to include treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

Section 1

Section 34-24-230, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§34-24-230.

For purposes of this title, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed by this section:

(3) (1) DIAGNOSIS. The process of ascertaining a disease or ailment by its general symptoms.

(8) (2) ELECTRICAL TREATMENT. Any treatment by means and methods supplied by electric current.

(3) FOOT, ANKLE, and LOWER LEG. Includes the following:

a. The foot means the terminal appendage of the lower extremity and contains 28 bones and is divided into three parts - the forefoot, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. The forefoot consists of 14 phalanges, five metatarsals, and the tibial and fibular sesamoid bones. The midfoot consists of five tarsal bones and their articulations. The hindfoot consists of two tarsal bones, the calcaneus, and the talus. The foot is defined as including all 28 complete boney structures below the ankle joint.

b. The ankle consists of the ankle joint which consists of the distal third of the tibia and fibula and their articulations with the talus.

c. The lower leg consists of the tibia and fibula, the Achilles tendon, and all structures above the dome of the talus and all soft tissue along the tibia and fibula, all of which would be considered to be part of the scope of practice.

(7) (4) MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT. The use of the hand or machinery in the operation or working upon the foot, ankle, and lower leg and its articulations.

(6) (5) MECHANICAL TREATMENT. The application of any mechanical appliance made of steel, leather, felt, or any material to the foot, ankle, or lower leg or in the shoe for the purpose of treating any disease, deformity, or ailment.

(4) (6) MEDICAL TREATMENT. The application to or prescription for the foot of pads, fiberglass, adhesives, felt, plaster, or any medicinal agency for both external and internal use in connection with treatment of local ailments of the human foot, ankle, or lower leg to the level necessary to treat the local condition except such the definition does not include the medical treatment of any systemic disease, but does allow treating includes treatment for the local manifestations of those systemic diseases in the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

(1) (7) PODIATRY. The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the human foot, ankle, and lower leg as described herein.

(2) (8) PRACTICE OF PODIATRY. The diagnosis and medical or surgical or mechanical or manipulative or electrical treatment of any ailment of the human foot, ankle, and lower leg except such definition does not include the amputation of the foot or the administering of an anesthetic other than local. The surgical treatment of ailments of the human foot, ankle, and lower leg shall be limited anatomically to that part below the anterior tibial tubercle. The practice of podiatric medicine shall include the amputation of the toes or other parts of the foot, but shall not include the amputation of the leg in its entirety or any portion of the leg. A podiatric physician may prescribe drugs that relate specifically to the scope of practice authorized herein.

(9) HUMAN FOOT. The terminal appendage of the lower extremity. It contains 26 bones and is divided into three parts - the forefoot, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. The forefoot consists of 14 phalanges and five metatarsals. The midfoot consists of five tarsal bones and their articulations. The hindfoot consists of two tarsal bones, the calcaneus and the talus. The foot is defined as including all 26 complete boney structures below the ankle joint, which ankle joint consists of the distal tibia and fibula and their articulations with the talus. The distal aspect of the tibia and fibula, the achilles tendon, and all structures above the dome of the talus reside within the leg.

(5) (9) SURGICAL TREATMENT. The use of any cutting instrument to treat a disease, ailment, or condition of the human foot, ankle, and lower leg up to the tibial tuberosity as defined herein, except that a podiatrist shall not be authorized to amputate the human foot, or perform any surgery on the human body at or above the ankle joint, or administer anesthetics other than local anesthetics."

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.