In Ontario, practitioners who were educated in the United States and had obtained a degree “Doctor of Surgical Chiropody” provided most of the specialized foot care services in Ontario from the beginning of the second world war of the late 1970’s.
A Chiropodist is specially trained foot care provider. A chiropodist can provide patients with comprehensive leg and foot care, including gait analysis.
Additional foot care services may include the care of both the skin and nails. A Chiropodist has knowledge of advanced foot and nail pathology. A Chiropodist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. This includes surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity.
Today’s Chiropodist:
- Perform surgery.
- Perform reconstructive surgery and microsurgeries.
- Administer sedation and anesthetics.
- Perform complete medical histories and physical examinations.
- Prescribe medications.
- Set fractures and treat sports-related injuries.
- Prescribe and fit orthotics, insoles, casts and prosthetics.
- Order and perform physical therapy.
- Take and interpret X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and other imaging studies.
- Work as valued members of a community’s health care team.
Chiropodists can also prescribe and produce custom-made orthotics, which are special insoles that can help to reduce many lower leg and biomechanical foot concerns. They are meant to support your arches, redistribute your pressure, and prevent pain.
