58-5a-103.  Scope of practice.

(1)  Subject to the provisions of this section, an individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter may perform a surgical procedure on a bone of the foot or ankle.

Terms Used In Utah Code 58-5a-103

(2)  Except as provided in Subsections (3) and (4), an individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter may not perform:

(a)  an ankle fusion;

(b)  a massive ankle reconstruction; or

(c)  a reduction of a trimalleolar ankle fracture.

(3)  An individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter who meets the requirements described in Subsection (4) may only:

(a)  treat a fracture of the tibia if at least one portion of the fracture line enters the ankle joint;

(b)  treat a foot or ankle condition using hardware, including screws, plates, staples, pins, and wires, if at least one portion of the hardware system is attached to a bony structure at or below the ankle mortise; and

(c)  place hardware for the treatment of soft tissues in the foot or ankle no more proximal than the distal 10 centimeters of the tibia.

(4)  Subject to Subsection (3), an individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter may only perform a procedure described in Subsection (2) if the individual:

(a) 

(i)  graduated on or after June 1, 2006, from a three-year residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery that was accredited, at the time of graduation, by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education; and

(ii)  is board certified in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery;

(b) 

(i)  graduated on or after June 1, 2006, from a three-year residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery that was accredited, at the time of graduation, by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education;

(ii)  is board qualified in reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery; and

(iii)  provides the division documentation that the podiatric physician has completed training or experience, which the division determines is acceptable, in standard or advanced rearfoot and ankle procedures; or

(c) 

(i)  graduated before June 1, 2006, from a residency program in podiatric medicine and surgery that was at least two years in length and that was accredited, at the time of graduation, by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education;

(ii) 

(A)  is board certified in reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery;

(B)  if the residency described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) is a PSR-24 24-month podiatric surgical residency, provides proof that the individual completed the residency, to a hospital that is accredited by the Joint Commission, and meets the hospital’s credentialing criteria for foot and ankle surgery; or

(C)  in addition to the residency described in Subsection (4)(c)(i), has completed a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery that was accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education at the time of completion; and

(iii)  provides the division documentation that the podiatric physician has completed training and experience, which the division determines is acceptable, in standard or advanced rearfoot and ankle procedures.

(5)  An individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter may not perform an amputation proximal to Chopart’s joint.

(6)  An individual licensed as a podiatric physician under this chapter may not perform a surgical treatment on an ankle, on a governing structure of the foot or ankle above the ankle, or on a structure related to the foot or ankle above the ankle, unless the individual performs the surgical treatment:

(a)  in an ambulatory surgical facility, a general acute hospital, or a specialty hospital, as defined in Section 26B-2-201; and

(b)  subject to review by a quality care review body that includes qualified, licensed physicians and surgeons.

Amended by Chapter 328, 2023 General Session