Have you ever seen ‘Chiropodist’ or ‘Podiatrist’ signs in your local area and wondered what the difference is between the two? Well, we’re here to clear up any confusion and explain the differences between these two fields of practice. Keep reading to learn more about Chiropodists vs Podiatrists!
1. What Is a Chiropodist?
A chiropodist is a foot care specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and defects in the feet and the lower legs. They are healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose, treat, and manage the conditions of the feet and legs of infants, children, adults, and the elderly.
Chiropodists will begin by examining your feet to look for any problems and see how well your nerves and muscles are working. They will often use special tests and instruments to find out more. From there, a variety of treatments might be recommended. These can include:
- Giving advice on how to look after your feet
- Providing treatments for things like corn, warts, calluses, and bunions
- Prescribing orthotic devices, such as insoles and arch supports
- Advising on exercises to help your feet remain healthy
- Prescribing medication when needed
Chiropodists may also give advice on shoes and other related topics, such as diabetes awareness and circulation. No matter the issue, they are there to help keep your feet in the best condition possible.
2. What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is an expert in the medical field specializing in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including bunions, hammertoes, heel and arch pain, sports injuries, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, and more.
Podiatrists use a range of medical and surgical interventions to help their patients. Primary treatments may include medical orthotics, physical therapy, medications, injections, and immobilization devices such as casts and braces.
They may also perform surgery, prescribe medication, and may provide advice on lifestyle changes, such as appropriate footwear or exercise.
If you’ve encountered any pain, inflammation, or redness in your foot or ankle, it’s best to visit a podiatrist to receive a proper diagnosis. Podiatrists can help to restore your feet to their natural structural integrity and keep them healthy.
Here’s a list of what you could expect during a visit with a podiatrist:
- Evaluation of issue
- X-ray and physical examination
- Prescription of medications and/or orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Immobilization (e.g. casts or braces)
- Surgery or other interventions, when necessary
- Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of biomechanical problems
- Treatment of fungal nail infections
- Treatment for ingrown toenails
3. The Difference Between Chiropodists and Podiatrists
The terms chiropodist and podiatrist are often used interchangeably when referring to foot care, however, there is a distinct difference between the two.
Chiropodist is a title awarded to practitioners who provide treatments for minor foot problems. Such treatments include removal of corns and callous, ingrown toenails, verrucas, and general advice on foot care. They are unable to prescribe medication and must refer any patient requiring medication to their GP.
Podiatrist is the higher professional title given to practitioners who have completed a university degree in podiatry. They are fully experienced and qualified to diagnose and treat all disorders requiring medical, surgical, and also biomechanics treatments.
Pros and Cons of Seeing a Chiropodist
Anyone with a chronic foot condition should consider visiting a chiropodist for an evaluation. Chiropodists specialize in assessing and treating any foot and lower leg issues a patient may have.
But before you book an appointment, here’s what you need to know about:
Pros:
- Chiropodists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of any issues related to the feet and lower limbs.
- Visiting a chiropodist can help identify and diagnose any foot-related issues before they become a more serious problems.
- Chiropodists are skilled in providing treatments such as orthotics, removal of painful corns, calluses, and toenail trimming.
- Visiting a chiropodist can help prevent any further foot and lower leg pain and discomfort.
Cons:
- Seeing a chiropodist may require several visits and a commitment from the patient to ensure positive results.
- Depending on the treatments prescribed, the costs of seeing a chiropodist may be expensive.
- It can take several weeks to feel noticeable results and require patience in order to see any positive changes from the treatment.
Pros and Cons of Seeing a Podiatrist
When it comes to foot health, a podiatrist is by far the best professional to see. They specialize in identifying and treating any issues that may be arising with the feet or lower legs.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of having a podiatrist:
Pros:
- Specific to feet and lower legs: Podiatrists are specialists in feet and lower leg conditions, which means they are the best people to go to if you’re experiencing problems.
- Early diagnosis & treatment: They can quickly diagnose and treat any issues you have, which saves you time and effort.
- Nutrition, exercises, and lifestyle advice: They’re able to provide professional advice on nutrition, exercises, and lifestyle habits that can help improve and maintain your foot and leg health.
Cons:
- Cost: Podiatrists are not usually covered by insurance, meaning that you have to pay for the appointments out of pocket.
- Time-consuming: Appointments with a podiatrist can take a while, as you will need to give them your whole medical history in order to properly diagnose any issues you may be having.
- Not available in all areas: Podiatrists may not be available in all areas, meaning you may have to travel quite a distance to get to one.
Conclusion
If you’re considering seeing a specialist in feet care, it’s helpful to understand the distinction between a chiropodist and a podiatrist. Knowing the differences between the two will help you make the best choice for your individual health needs. We hope this article has given you the overview you were looking for when it comes to the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist.
Also read: Reflexology Massage: The Ultimate Cure!