New York has officially enacted a modernized scope of practice law for podiatric physicians, following the Governor's signature of legislation championed by the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA). This marks a major milestone for podiatrists across the state and represents years of sustained advocacy by NYSPMA leadership and members.
This law aligns statutory authority with podiatric education and residency training and ensures that podiatrists can continue to practice at the top of their license. Key provisions include:
Expanded treatment of the ankle and leg: All podiatrists may diagnose and treat skin conditions, injuries, and diseases of the ankle and leg when the condition is contiguous with the ankle. This includes conservative treatment of ankle fractures.
Streamlined ankle permitting: Board qualification in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle (RRA) surgery is now sufficient to apply for an ankle permit, allowing podiatrists pursuing full board certification to perform ankle fracture fixation and ankle fusion.
Authorization to perform total ankle replacement: Podiatrists may perform total ankle replacements in New York upon demonstrating appropriate training and experience.
APMA congratulates NYSPMA on this tremendous achievement and is proud to have supported this effort. Advocacy victories like this underscore the value of APMA and state component membership in advancing the profession and protecting patient access to high-quality foot and ankle care provided by podiatrists.