All About Chiropody
What is the difference between a Podiatrist & Chiropodist?
Nothing! There is no difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist.
The term chiropodist has been traditionally used in the UK, but the term podiatrist is recognised and used more internationally.
Chiropodists in the UK are being referred to as podiatrists more and more and many people in the profession refer to themselves as both.
What is a Chiropodist?
A HPC registered podiatrist/ chiropodist is a specialist in the assessment,
diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the foot and lower limb.
Foot disorders affect the majority of the people at some time in their lives.
Podiatrists currently have to undertake a Bachelors degree which includes
1000 clinical training hours to meet standards for the use of the protected titles
‘Podiatrist’ or ‘Chiropodist’.
A Podiatrist may well be trained in the use of local anaesthetics
and have a licence for issuing prescription only medicines.
What Does a Chiropodist do exactly?
This list is not exhaustive, but gives some idea of what a Podiatrist does:
- Relief of foot pain.
- Prescription and provision of orthoses (specialist insoles).
- Use of techniques including minor surgery using local anaesthetics.
- Preventative care for people with specific conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation and various forms of arthritis.
- Recognition of systemic medical conditions which may first manifest themselves within the foot and alleviation of the effects of these disorders such as inflammation or ulceration.
- Routine care of problem nails, corns and callus.