What Does a Podiatrist Do? More Than Just Cutting Toenails
- brandonpodiatry
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a regulated healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats problems affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs.
Podiatry covers far more than routine nail cutting and hard-skin removal. Depending on their qualifications, training and scope of practice, podiatrists can help with foot pain, ingrown toenails, skin and nail conditions, musculoskeletal problems, diabetic foot problems, circulation and nerve assessment, wound care and minor surgery. [1,2]
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) defines chiropodists/podiatrists as professionals who diagnose and treat disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet. Both “podiatrist” and “chiropodist” are protected titles in the UK. [1]
So, while routine footcare is an important part of what some podiatrists provide, it is only one part of a much broader healthcare profession.
At Brandon Podiatry, we believe this distinction is important.
Podiatry isn't simply about treating what you can see on the surface of your feet. It's about understanding what's happening, identifying potential causes and providing appropriate treatment and advice.
Podiatrist vs Chiropodist: What's the Difference?
If you've always called someone who treats feet a chiropodist, you aren't wrong.
In the UK, podiatrist and chiropodist are two titles for the same regulated profession. The terminology has evolved over time, with podiatrist now being the term more commonly used. Both titles are protected and professionals using them must be registered with the HCPC. [1,2]
Why did the name change?
The profession has developed considerably over the years.
While traditional chiropody was strongly associated with routine footcare, modern podiatry encompasses a much broader range of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention across the feet and lower limbs.
The Royal College of Podiatry describes podiatrists as experts in foot and lower-limb health, with areas of practice extending across problems such as foot pain, musculoskeletal conditions, nail and skin problems, diabetes-related foot complications and mobility difficulties. [2]
What matters is making sure the professional you see is appropriately qualified and registered with the HCPC.
What Does a Podiatrist Treat?
Podiatry covers a surprisingly broad range of foot and lower-limb problems.
Depending on the podiatrist's qualifications, training and scope of practice, this can include:
Ingrown toenails
Corns, calluses and hard skin
Thick, damaged or problematic toenails
Verrucas and other skin conditions
Foot and heel pain
Musculoskeletal problems
Sports-related foot and lower-limb problems
Diabetic and high-risk foot problems
Nerve and sensation problems
Circulation and vascular assessment
Wound care
Biomechanical and gait assessment
Footwear advice
Minor surgery
The Royal College of Podiatry highlights the breadth of modern podiatry, including persistent foot pain, difficulty walking, recurring nail and skin problems, diabetes-related foot problems and other conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. [2] And this is only a snapshot of what podiatry can involve.
The appropriate treatment depends on the individual:
Sometimes the solution is straightforward treatment in the clinic.
Sometimes it's advice and preventative care.
Sometimes further investigation is needed.
Sometimes the right thing to do is refer you to another healthcare professional.
Good healthcare isn't about trying to treat everything ourselves. It's about recognising what's happening and making sure you receive the right care.
What Happens During a Podiatry Appointment?
A podiatry appointment isn't necessarily about treating the most obvious problem.
It starts with finding out what is actually going on. Depending on why you've attended, your appointment may involve several different aspects of assessment.
Your medical history and symptoms
We'll want to understand what has been happening, how long you've had the problem and whether it's affecting your walking, work, exercise or everyday life.
Examination of your feet and lower limbs
This may include assessing your:
Skin
Nails
Foot shape
Joints
Muscles
Pressure areas
Swelling
Redness
Other changes
Circulation
Where clinically appropriate, we can assess aspects of your circulation and look for signs that may require further investigation.
Sensation and nerve function
Assessment of sensation can be particularly important for people with diabetes or anyone experiencing symptoms such as numbness, tingling or altered sensation.
Foot function and movement
For certain problems, we may consider your walking pattern, footwear, activity levels, foot mechanics and pressure distribution.
Your treatment plan
Once we've assessed the problem, we'll explain what we've found and discuss the most appropriate options.
Depending on your needs, this could include:
Treatment in the clinic
Footwear advice
Self-care advice
Exercise or rehabilitation
Orthotic intervention where appropriate
Monitoring
Further investigation
Referral to another healthcare professional
The aim isn't simply to treat what's happening today. Where possible, it's to understand why it's happening and what we can do to help prevent it from becoming a recurring problem.
Diabetes and High-Risk Feet
Diabetic foot care is one of the clearest examples of why podiatry is about far more than cutting toenails.
Diabetes can affect nerve function and circulation, increasing the risk of foot problems and complications. Reduced sensation may mean injuries go unnoticed, while circulation problems can affect healing. [5]
NICE recommends that adults with diabetes have their feet checked when diabetes is diagnosed and at least annually afterwards. Further assessment may be needed if a foot problem is suspected. [6]
A diabetic foot assessment may consider:
Protective sensation
Circulation
Skin and toenails
Foot structure and pressure areas
Footwear
Previous foot problems
Overall risk of developing a diabetic foot complication
NICE uses risk categories to identify people with diabetes who are at increased risk of foot problems. Factors include neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, previous ulceration or amputation, and combinations of neuropathy, callus and deformity. [7]
This is preventative healthcare. The aim is not simply to treat pain, but to identify changes that could put your feet at risk before they become serious.
If you have diabetes, regular foot assessment is an important part of looking after your feet.
You can read more in our guide: How Does Type 2 Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
You don't necessarily need to wait until a foot problem becomes severe.
You may benefit from a podiatry assessment if you have:
Persistent or recurring foot pain
An ingrown toenail
Painful corns or hard skin
Thick or difficult-to-cut toenails
Changes in nail colour or shape
Recurring skin problems
A persistent verruca
Changes in sensation
Problems affecting your walking
A foot problem that keeps returning
Diabetes and concerns about your feet
A wound or skin problem that isn't healing normally
The Royal College of Podiatry highlights persistent foot pain, diabetes, difficulty walking, recurring nail or skin problems and concerns about changes to the feet as reasons someone may benefit from podiatry. [2]
If you have a potentially serious problem—particularly a rapidly worsening wound, significant infection or, if you have diabetes, a new unexplained hot, swollen or discoloured foot—you should seek appropriate urgent medical assessment. NICE recommends urgent referral pathways for active diabetic foot problems. [7]
Why Choose Brandon Podiatry?
At Brandon Podiatry, we look beyond the immediate problem to understand your overall foot health.
Depending on your needs, we may assess your:
Skin and nails
Circulation and sensation
Foot structure and pressure areas
Footwear, walking pattern and biomechanics
We'll explain our findings and recommend the most appropriate treatment, self-care advice or referral.
We don't just treat feet. We take the time to understand them.
“A podiatrist? Do you just cut toenails?”
So the next time someone says:
“A podiatrist? Do you just cut toenails?”
You can tell them:
'' There's a lot more to podiatry than that.''
Your feet do a lot for you.
They deserve proper assessment, professional advice and appropriate treatment—not just a quick trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a regulated healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs. Depending on their qualifications and scope of practice, this can include routine footcare, nail and skin problems, foot pain, musculoskeletal conditions, diabetic foot care, wound management, vascular and neurological assessment and minor surgery. [1,2]
Is a podiatrist the same as a chiropodist?
Yes. In the UK, podiatrist and chiropodist are protected titles for the same regulated profession. Both require registration with the HCPC. [1,2]
Can a podiatrist help with foot pain?
Yes. Podiatrists can assess a range of foot and lower-limb problems that may contribute to pain and consider factors such as foot function, pressure, footwear and movement.
Can a podiatrist perform nail surgery?
Some podiatrists undertake minor nail surgery within their qualifications, training and scope of practice. Nail surgery may be considered for persistent or recurrent ingrown toenails where clinically appropriate. [2,3]
Do podiatrists treat diabetic feet?
Yes. Podiatrists can play an important role in assessing and managing people at risk of diabetic foot complications. NICE recommends regular foot assessment for people with diabetes. [5,6,7]
Are podiatrists regulated in the UK?
Yes. Podiatrists and chiropodists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The titles are protected by law. [1]
Is podiatry only for older people?
No. People of all ages can experience foot and lower-limb problems that may benefit from podiatric assessment.
Do I need to have a serious foot problem before seeing a podiatrist?
No. Early assessment can be useful for persistent, recurring or unexplained problems and may help identify issues before they become more significant.
Do podiatrists only treat toenails and hard skin?
Absolutely not.
Nail and hard-skin care are just two areas of podiatry. Modern podiatry encompasses assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention across a wide range of foot and lower-limb conditions. [1,2]
Book an Appointment with Brandon Podiatry
If something doesn't feel right with your feet, you don't have to simply put up with it.
Whether you're experiencing an ingrown toenail, painful hard skin, a problematic nail, foot pain, a recurring skin problem or concerns about your diabetic feet, a professional podiatry assessment can help you understand what's happening and what your options are.
Your feet do a lot for you.
They deserve more than just a toenail trim.
References
1. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Standards of proficiency: Chiropodists / podiatrists. HCPC.
2. Royal College of Podiatry. Making sense of podiatry for the public. Royal College of Podiatry.
3. NHS. Ingrown toenail. NHS.
4. Royal College of Podiatry. Corns & callus. Royal College of Podiatry.
5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Diabetic foot problems: prevention and management (NG19). NICE.
6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Foot checks for people with diabetes. NICE.
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Recommendations: Diabetic foot problems. NICE.
Clinical disclaimer
This article is intended for general information and education and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Treatment and management will depend on the individual's symptoms, medical history, clinical findings and the podiatrist's qualifications, experience and scope of practice.
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