Ankle Surgery
A Connecticut licensed podiatrist may independently engage in the surgical treatment of the ankle, including the surgical treatment of the anatomical structures of the ankle, as well as the administration and prescription of drugs incidental thereto, and the surgical treatment of manifestations of systemic diseases as they appear on the ankle, after the podiatrist provides documentation as outlined below.
"Surgical treatment of the ankle" includes all soft tissue and osseous procedures, including ankle fracture fixation, ankle fusion, ankle arthroscopy, insertion or removal of external fixation pins into or from the tibial diaphysis at or below the level of the myotendinous junction of the triceps surae and insertion and removal of retrograde tibiotalocalcaneal intramedullary rods and locking screws up to the level of the myotendinous junction of the triceps surea, but does not include the surgical treatment of complications within the tibial diaphysis related to the use of external fixation pins, the performance of total ankle replacements or the treatment of tibial pilon fractures.
A
licensed podiatrist who is board certified in foot and ankle surgery by the
American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, or its successor organization, may
engage in the surgical treatment of the ankle, provided such licensed
podiatrist is performing such procedures under the direct supervision of a
Connecticut licensed physician or surgeon who maintains hospital
privileges to perform such procedures or under the direct supervision of a
Connecticut licensed podiatrist who may independently engage in ankle surgery procedures.
The Department of Public Health's indication that a licensed podiatrist
independently engages in ankle surgery shall not be construed to obligate a hospital
or outpatient surgical facility to grant the licensed podiatrist privileges to
perform the procedures at the hospital or outpatient surgical facility. A
podiatrist's privileges and scope of practice for foot surgery are not impacted
by the podiatrist's privileges or scope of practice for ankle surgery.
Documentation Requirements:
A podiatrist must hold a current Connecticut podiatry license and arrange for the following to be submitted directly to this office from the source:
Verification
form documenting graduation on or after June 1, 2006, from a three-year residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery that was accredited by the
Council on Podiatric Medical Education at the time of completion, and
OR
Hold a current Connecticut podiatry license;
Verification
form documenting graduation prior to June 1, 2006, from a residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery that was at least two years in length and accredited at the time of graduation by the
Council on Podiatric Medical Education; and
Once all required documentation has been received, the licensee will be notified by email and an indication will appear on the Department's license
lookup display where it can be confirmed by credentialing boards, hospitals and the public. Additionally, the downloadable
roster of licensed podiatrists will have an indication that documentation has been received and accepted with regard to ankle surgery.
All supporting documentation should be sent to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Podiatrist Licensure
410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone: (860) 509-7603
Fax: (860) 707-1931
Email: dph.healingarts@ct.gov
