A podiatrist / chiropodist is an Allied Health Professional who has trained to a degree level for at least 3 years at an approved school or University of Podiatry. 

 

Only those who are registered by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are licensed to practice as a podiatrist/chiropodist.

 

There is no real difference between podiatry and chiropody, but podiatry is generally recognised as the modern name and reflects broader expertise in both standard chiropody treatments, gait analysis and biomechanics.

 

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat abnormalities of the lower limb.  We give professional advice on the prevention of foot problems and on proper care of the feet.  We can administer local anaesthesia in order to perform minor surgery such as nail surgery for ingrown or very thickened toenails.  We also carry out verruca needling treatment on verrucae that have not resolved with other verruca treatments.  Some podiatrists are able to prescribe some selective medicines.

 

Podiatry, medicine and dentistry are the only 3 professions that can actually operate on the human body.

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A podiatrist must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (www.hpc-uk.org).

 

A podiatrist can register with the Royal College of Podiatry (www.cop.org.uk)