Despite not being medical doctors by the strictest definition of the term, podiatrists are allowed in most states with medical cannabis programs to recommend cannabis to patients. Given that podiatrists are essentially foot doctors, what would motivate them to make such a recommendation?
A Quick Word About Podiatry
Before getting into podiatrists making medical cannabis recommendations, a quick word about podiatry is necessary. Podiatry is a form of medicine that focuses exclusively on the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists do not deal with any other types of medical issues.
Their unique specialty is such that podiatrists don’t have to go to traditional medical school. Instead, they are required to complete a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program at an accredited institution. Then, they need to pass a licensing exam in the state in which they want to practice. Incidentally, podiatrists are given the DPM credential rather than MD.
This requires states like Utah to recognize podiatrists as separate from medical doctors when designating who can recommend medical cannabis. Salt Lake City’s BeehiveMed explains that the state’s rules for recommending medical cannabis cards recognize medical doctors, podiatrists, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses (usually nurse practitioners), and osteopathic doctors.
Medical Cannabis and Chronic Pain
Podiatrists must follow state regulations just like any other medical provider recommending medical cannabis. So what might prompt a podiatrist to recommend cannabis therapy? I am guessing that foot and ankle problems resulting in chronic pain are probably at the top of the list.
Chronic pain continues to be the top reason people cite when applying for medical cannabis cards. In the field of podiatry, there are plenty of conditions that can cause chronic pain. Here are just a few examples:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Gout and heel spurs
Chronic pain in the feet and ankles can make standing and walking very difficult. So if a podiatrist believes medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment, it can be recommended in states that allow it.
Other Reasons for a Recommendation
Pediatric recommendations for medical cannabis go beyond just chronic pain. The specific conditions under which medical cannabis can be recommended vary from one state to the next, so that makes a difference. But here are just a few more examples of problems that might prompt a podiatrist to recommend cannabis:
1. Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is pain caused by nerve damage or degeneration. It is most often felt in the extremities. Diabetics have plenty of experience with this sort of pain, particularly in their feet and ankles.
Diabetes is a chronic condition. Given that neuropathic pain comes with the territory, it wouldn’t be unusual for a podiatrist to recommend medical cannabis to a diabetic whose neuropathic pain is disruptive to daily life.
2. Acute Pain
BeehiveMed.com says that Utah is one of a number of states that includes acute pain on its qualifying conditions list. How does this apply to podiatry? A podiatrist might recommend surgery because of an injury sustained by one of his patients. He might simultaneously recommend using medical cannabis for post-surgical pain relief as an alternative to opioids.
Speaking of opioid alternatives, some states give medical providers considerable leeway that would allow them to recommend medical cannabis as a replacement for opioids across a wide spectrum of medical conditions.
At any rate, states allow podiatrists the opportunity to recommend cannabis because their patients live with conditions that are appropriately treated with cannabis therapies. That is what it boils down to. There is no shortage of opportunities for a podiatrist to make such recommendations. That is certainly good for patients.