What is a Podiatrist

Podiatrists are not medical doctors but are specialists in the care of the foot and the structures that impact upon it. Podiatrists are Primary Care Practitioners and do not require a referral from a third party to consult.

The difference between Podiatrists and Chiropodists

Initially ‘Chiropodist’ was the term given to a person who treated nail problems, corns and calluses. The training for this was as little as 6 weeks (an un-registered Chiropodist) to 3 years (a State Registered Chiropodist). For many years the programme of learning has advanced to that of Degree level, a course spanning 3 years, encompassing the entirety of the foot and lower limb and medical conditions affecting the entire body, orthopaedics, pharmacy and mechanics. The titles of Podiatrist and Chiropodist are protected by law and regulated by the Health Professions Council.

Chiropody and Podiatry are the same and there is no differentiation between the two and indeed the term chiropody is being phased out.

What do Podiatrists treat?

Podiatry focuses on the diagnosis, advice and treatment of foot problems. These concerns can involve the skin (corns, hard skin, verruca and rashes) nails (in-growing toenails, fungal nails, thickening of the nails) and general foot pain/ health.

At the LNLC we carry out routine podiatry treatment which includes nail cutting and shaping, the removal of corns and callouses (hard skin), and the conservative management and treatment of ingrown nails.

All new patients will attend for a New Patient Appointment which includes assessment and treatment plan.