What is the difference between a Podiatrist and a Chiropodist?

The question I am often asked is “What is the difference between a Podiatrist and a Chiropodist?” I think most podiatrists across Ireland more than likely have encountered this. It is something that most people are not really sure what the difference is or if there is a difference and if so which one is a better choice?

 Generally people tend to have an idea of what a chiropodist is and what they do – “cut toenails and remove corns right?” Chiropodists and podiatrists are foot health care professionals who deal with common foot problems and lower limb issues. The job itself can vary from dealing with skin and nail care to ulcerations to biomechanical (muscle) issues.

 Chiropody is anything to do with the skin or nails. They can help people who have many types of skin and nail care problems, including ingrown toenails, fungal nails, corns, callus (hard skin), athletes’ foot and so on.

 Podiatrists deal with that too but include more issues such as pain or discomfort coming from the foot. The way I explain it is that anything that could go wrong with the foot, podiatrists are the people to go too.

 Here is a breakdown of the common conditions a Podiatrist treats:

 ● Skin and nail problems such as hard skin, corns, verrucae, athletes foot, blistering

and thickened, fungal or ingrown nails.

 ● General foot/ ankle/leg pain such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, bunions, metatarsalgia

(pain on the ball of the foot), Gait analysis and toe and foot deformities.

 In years gone by people were able to undertake a short course that enabled them to carry out routine care of the nails and skin of the foot. However, in more recent times, the profession now requires individuals to undertake an honours degree in podiatric medicine. Each Podiatrist must be regulated with CORU (this is the regulator for Health and Social Care Professional in Ireland). The only place to study podiatry is NUI Galway and it has been running there since 2008.

 If you are experiencing any of these issues and wanted to get it sorted, Call Stillorgan Podiatry Clinic today and book in with our experienced Podiatrists.