Podiatry vs Chiropody - What Is The Difference?
The first port of call for foot and ankle care is often a doctor. However, typically doctor’s will refer you to a podiatrist. Podiatrists cover the branch of medicine that specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of foot problems and conditions related to the lower legs. When it comes to foot pain, there are plenty of conditions that can cause discomfort and pain in your feet. This is why it's best to consult with a podiatrist if you suspect you might have a foot injury or condition. Podiatrists are specially trained healthcare professionals who are experts in the study of the foot and ankle.
Podiatrists are the best answer for foot problems. They treat everything foot-related from verrucas to infected toenails. However, another old fashioned name for a foot doctor is a chiropodist. Many people question the differences between a chiropodist and a podiatrist, but there are actually no technical differences between them when it comes down to how they work.
Chiropody is just an outdated term for doctors that specialise in foot problems. Podiatry and chiropody is exactly the same thing.
The history
Medical healthcare based on science is widely a modern miracle, and speciality doctors studying specific parts of the body are more so. When it comes to medical healthcare, science is the way forward. From personalised medicine and the use of artificial intelligence-backed algorithms, to the integration of machine learning, data science, and genomics into daily doctor's work, the field is growing to meet patient demand and becoming more effective at tackling global health crises like cancer and much more. This is also the case for a podiatrist and a chiropodist, especially with new technology like swift, for treating verrucas or biomechanical assessment technology.
The first licensed physicians to specialise in the study of care of the lower legs and feet came about in the 19th century, with the first officially recognised medical organisation for feet entrenched in New York, 1985. This organisation is still running today and is known as the New York State Podiatric Medical Association. It was the first society of chiropodists.
The foot is complex, with more than 20 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments all working in unison to keep your body happy and healthy. That is why it is important that in the UK, chiropody became widely recognised when the London foot hospital was established in 1912, closely followed by a chiropody school in 1919.
In Australia, professional chiropody organisations started making an appearance in the 1920s onwards. In world war two, doctors specialising in foot pain were still classed as chiropodists. The US degree for foot doctors was known as the Doctor of surgical chiropody.
Why did it change to podiatry?
Whilst both terms have the same meaning, the US and UK led the way in the 1960s in the conversion to ‘podiatry’ for these reasons:
Confusion with chiropractors - In the 1950s and 60s, chiropractic medicine began to grow in popularity, and chiropodists were being confused with chiropractors. To ensure the confusion was evaded, it was decided they would embrace the term podiatry.
Clearer root - Chiropody is made up of two roots, ‘chiro’ and ‘pod’, meaning hands and foot in greek. The origins of podiatry come from ‘pod’ and ‘iatros’, meaning physician in greek. Changing the word chiropody to podiatry allowed better embracement of the modern reality when it became a recognised branch of modern medical care.
Can chiropodists provide proper foot care?
Many countries have stopped using the word chiropodist, but whether or not they can provide adequate foot care can vary case by case. Patients who are looking for a professional's help with both the prevention and treatment of foot conditions should be able to find a reputable and affordable podiatrist. You can ensure that your podiatrist is full trained and qualified by checking the HCPC registry.
Licensed podiatrists are educated in the following:
Performing podiatric surgery related to the foot and ankles
Performing microsurgeries and reconstructive surgeries
Performing physical examinations and study medical histories
Diagnose and treat conditions, such as ingrown toenails, flat feet, cracked heels and athletes’ foot
Administer anaesthetics and sedation for foot-related conditions
Construe x-rays
Perform physical therapy
Prescribe, order and fit prosthetics, casts, insoles and orthotics
Diagnose and treat sports-related injuries
If you are unsure about a doctor referring to one self as a chiropodist, it is vital to ensure they have the proper knowledge, understanding and certification to perform the tasks of a podiatrist. Yet, for the most part, both chiropodists and podiatrists should both be able to perform the same and proper foot pain treatment.
Last Updated: January 2022