§ 34-24-230 — Definitions

For purposes of this title, the following terms have the respective meanings ascribed by this section:
(1) ANKLE. Consists of the ankle joint that consists of the distal third of the tibia and fibula and their articulations with the talus and the soft tissue structures surrounding the foot and ankle.
(2) DIAGNOSIS. The process of ascertaining a disease or ailment by its general symptoms.
(3) ELECTRICAL TREATMENT. Any treatment by means and methods supplied by electric current.
(4) FOOT. 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 bony structures below the ankle joint.
(5) MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT. The use of the hand or machinery in the operation or working upon the foot or ankle.
(6) MECHANICAL TREATMENT. The application of any mechanical appliance made of steel, leather, felt, or any material to the foot or ankle or in the shoe for the purpose of treating any disease, deformity, or ailment.
(7) MEDICAL TREATMENT. The application to or prescription for the foot or ankle 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 foot or ankle. The term does not include the medical treatment of any systemic disease, but includes treatment for the local manifestations of those systemic diseases in the foot or ankle.
(8) PODIATRY. The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the human foot and ankle, as described herein.
(9) PRACTICE OF PODIATRY. The diagnosis and medical or surgical or mechanical or manipulative or electrical treatment of any ailment of the human foot or ankle and the surgical treatment of ailments of the human foot or ankle limited anatomically to the foot or ankle. The practice of podiatry shall include the amputation of the toes and other parts of the foot and ankle, but shall not include any amputation above the Chopart joint, total ankle arthroplasty, or the administration of any anesthetic other than local. A podiatrist may prescribe drugs that relate specifically to the scope of practice authorized herein.
(10) SURGICAL TREATMENT. The use of any cutting instrument to treat a disease, ailment, or condition of the foot or ankle.

Legislative History

(Acts 1967, No. 741, p. 1586, §1; Acts 1971, No. 2427, p. 3870, §1; Acts 1975, No. 1199, p. 2376, §1; Acts 1982, No. 82-437, p. 687, §1; Acts 1983, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 83-131, p. 137, §1; Act 2023-106, §1.)