Someone suffering from a foot problem will likely want a chiropodist to lend a hand or two. A chiropodist is more commonly known as a foot doctor. Chiropodist is the British English version of podiatrist, which is the American English version of “foot doctor.” Depending on which country you are in, you will want to ask for the appropriate person if you are having foot difficulties. The word chiropodist literally means “medicine of the hand and foot,” although today’s chiropodist does not treat difficulties of the hand.

A person who wants to become a chiropodist or podiatrist must go to medical school and obtain a medical degree specializing in chiropody or podiatry. Medical school is usually followed by residency, which is a hands-on form of schooling that is a sort of on-the-job training. After residency, the person can practice medicine, helping people work through their foot and ankle problems.

A chiropodist or podiatrist commonly agrees to sees patients in an office in order to diagnose their problems. Treatments commonly include medicine, physical therapy, devices such as orthotics to aid in recovery, and even surgery. A chiropodist or podiatrist has received training in surgery in most cases and is able to perform surgery as needed.

Patients who visit a chiropodist can have treatment ranging from such routine procedures as the cutting of toenails, ingrown or not, and the removal of corns and calluses to the surgical removal of foreign objects or the surgical replacement of parts of a foot. Private, solo practice is usually the form of office preferred by a chiropodist, although more and more chiropodists are banding together in office groups in order to save money on building, electricity, and other expenses. In many of these cases, record-keeping is shared as well. Sometimes, a chiropodist practices within the U.K. National Health Service as well.

A chiropodist commonly specializes in one branch of chiropody as well. Athletes with foot problems can see a chiropodist who specializes in sports medicine. Another kind of chiropodist specializes in diabetes-related foot problems, including nerve damage and nutrition-related deficiencies.

Many chiropodists belong to various medical associations and groups. Two of the primary medical associations in the United Kingdom are the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Consumers can usually rest assured that the more official associations a chiropodist belongs to, the more well-connected and knowledgeable that chiropodist is.