RULE 290
3 CCR 712-13
Colorado Podiatry Board Rules and Regulations Further Defining the Scope of the
Practice of Podiatry in Colorado
BASIS: The general authority for promulgation of these rules by the Colorado Podiatry Board
is set forth in Sections 12-32-104(1)(a), C.R.S.
PURPOSE: The scope of the practice of podiatry is defined statutorily by Section 12-32-101(3),
C.R.S. Additionally, specific provisions governing the necessary qualifications for podiatrists
who perform surgical procedures on the ankle below the level of the dermis are set forth in
Section 12-32-101.5, C.R.S. The purpose of these Rules and Regulations is to clarify and carry
out those provisions of Colorado statute defining the scope of the practice of podiatry in
Colorado.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS: Section 12-32-101(3)(a) of the Colorado Revised Statutes sets
forth the legal definition of the practice of podiatry. That section of the statute includes the
following:
Suggesting, recommending, prescribing, or administering any podiatric form of
treatment, operation, or healing for the intended palliation, relief, or cure of any disease,
ailment, injury, condition or defect of the human toe, foot, ankle, tendons that insert into
the foot, and soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf, including complications thereof
consistent with such scope of practice, with the intention of receiving, either directly or
indirectly, any fee, gift or compensation whatsoever
Section 12-32-101(3)(b) of the Colorado Revised Statutes includes specific limitations on the
practice of podiatry as follows:
The practice of podiatry does not include the amputation of the foot or the administration
of an anesthetic other than a local anesthetic.
DEFINITIONS: As used in these Rules and Regulations, the following words and phrases have
the following meanings:
Condition of the human toe, foot, ankle and/or tendons that insert into the foot includes any
disease, disorder, symptoms, ailment, pain, injury, physical condition, deformity, or defect of the
human toe, foot, ankle and/or tendons that insert into the foot.
Mid-calf: means 50% of the total distance between the talus and the tibial plateau.
Soft tissue wound: means a lesion to the musculoskeletal junction that includes dermal and
sub-dermal tissue that does not involve bone removal or repair or muscle transfer.
Systemic Conditions: A condition that affects one or more parts or organs of the body other
than those parts found in the human toe, foot, ankle, and/or tendons that insert into the foot.
INTERPRETATION OF Section 12-32-101(3), C.R.S.
1.
A podiatrist may possess, order, prescribe, dispense or administer preparations,
medicines and/or drugs, including relevant braces, orthotics, prostheses and footwear, in
order to treat conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle, and/or tendons that insert into the
foot or in order to treat local manifestations of systemic conditions affecting the human
toe, foot, ankle, and/or tendons that insert into the foot, except that a podiatrist may not
administer an anesthetic other than a local anesthetic.
2.
Within the limitations set forth below, a podiatrist shall perform a patient history and
physical examinations that may include complete examinations that are necessary for
the effective identification and treatment of conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle,
tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissues would below the mid-calf. Complete
examinations are often necessary for the identification and assessment of systemic and
localized conditions contributing to or causing conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle,
tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf. Such
examinations may encompass the evaluation of all organ systems or body parts.
However, as set forth in section 12-32-101(3)(c) and where generally accepted
standards of podiatric practice so require, a podiatrist shall also assure that a licensed
health care provider who is authorized by law to treat systemic conditions, also performs
a history and physical examination for the patient.
3.
When treating soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf, a podiatrist shall conform to all
requirements set forth in section 12-32-101(3)(c) and 12-32-101(4), this rule, and the
generally accepted standards of podiatric practice.
4.
A podiatrist may amputate a portion of the foot but may not disarticulate between the
talus and the tibia.
5.
A podiatrist may take emergency measures that are reasonable and necessary to
protect and stabilize the patient’s health until an appropriate provider authorized by law
to treat the condition can intervene.
6.
A podiatrist performing a podiatric medical or surgical procedure on the human toe, foot,
ankle, tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf,
may perform more proximal measures that are incidental to the procedure and that are
reasonable and necessary to perform the procedure in accordance with generally
accepted standards of podiatric medicine.
Adopted: MARCH 4, 2005, EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2005; REVISED VIA EMERGENCY RULE
EFFECTIVE 7/1/10