+ What is Podiatry?

Podiatrists are health care professionals who have been trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs.

Podiatrists are degree educated professionals regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Their area of interest is the foot, ankle and associated structures.

A podiatrist will assess, diagnose and treat conditions affecting your feet as well as advise you on ways to self care and prevent problems occurring.

Further information: Watch The College of Podiatry's video: 'What is Podiatry'

+ What's the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?

There is no difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist. In the UK, podiatry is simply the new name for chiropody. Podiatry is a constantly evolving profession and the extensive medical training that a podiatrist undergoes enables them to treat a vast array of foot and lower limb problems, specialising in specific medical conditions.

Along with the treatments traditionally associated with chiropody such as corn and callus removal and nail cutting, a podiatrist can also diagnose and treat infections, musculosketelal problems such as heel and ball of foot pain, and administer local anaesthesia to enable effective treatment of ingrown toenails and verrucas.

+ What conditions can a podiatrist treat?

Podiatrists can treat routine skin and nail problems such as corns, callus, ingrown toenails, thickened and infected toenails, cracked heels, verrucas, and fungal infections.

A podiatrist can also help with more complex problems that may be causing foot pain such as heel pain including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, ball of foot pain including Morton’s Neuroma, shin splints, sports injuries, flat feet and arch pain.

A podiatrist can also treat foot problems affected by systemic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

+ What can I expect on my first visit?

At the first consultation a full medical history will be taken and you will be asked to supply details of any medication that you are taking as well as details of any operations or injuries that you may have had.

Following a thorough examination of your feet, a treatment plan will be made and in most circumstances treatment will commence during that first visit.

If you are attending a musculosketelal assessment you will be asked to wear shorts or loose trousers that can rolled up above the knees.

+ Do I need a referral from my GP?

A referral from a GP is not necessary to visit a podiatrist. However, we do receive referrals from GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors and with patient consent, will liaise with them and provide feedback on treatment.

+ Do you offer home visits?

We are not able to offer home visits to patients. All appointments are carried out in our fully equipped clinic.

+ How do I know that my podiatrist is qualified?

The titles of podiatrist and chiropodist are protected in law and only those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are legally entitled to use them. This offers greater protection to the public with the assurance that practitioners have met the standards set by the HCPC.

Emma has a degree in Podiatric Medicine from University College London, is HCPC registered and is a member of the country’s leading podiatry professional body, the Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists.