Podiatrist
A podiatrist is a licensed medical professional who specialises in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists can help with pain, injuries, skin and nail problems, movement issues, and some complications of chronic conditions.
What does a podiatrist do?
A podiatrist assesses problems with your feet and lower limbs and develops a treatment plan based on your needs.
A podiatrist may
- Assess foot, ankle, and lower-limb problems.
- Treat foot and ankle injuries.
- Manage foot pain.
- Treat some skin and nail problems like plantar warts, foot corns and calluses.
- Look at how you walk and move.
- Recommend exercises.
- Guide acceptable footwear.
- Prescribe or offer custom-made orthotics.
- Help manage foot problems related to conditions such as diabetes.
What conditions does a podiatrist treat?
Podiatrists can treat or manage several foot, ankle, and lower-limb problems, such as:
- Bunions.
- Ingrown toenails.
- Corns and calluses.
- Heel pain.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Foot and ankle injuries.
- Flat feet.
- Sports-related foot issues.
- Fungal nail infections.
- Warts on the foot.
- Diabetic Foot Problems.
- Problems with walking and balance.
What parts of the body does a podiatrist treat?
- Podiatrists mainly treat the lower limbs, including:
- Toes, feet, and ankles.
- Lower legs.
- The structures involved in walking and movement
They may also assess how problems in the feet and ankles affect your walking, posture and movement.
Podiatrist vs physiotherapist vs orthopaedic doctor
| Podiatrist | Physiotherapist | Orthopaedic doctor |
| Focuses mainly on the feet, ankles and lower limbs. | Focuses on movement, function and rehabilitation of muscles, joints and other parts of the body. | A medical doctor who specialises in the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. |
| Treats conditions such as bunions, ingrown toenails, foot pain and some foot injuries. | Helps with rehabilitation after injuries, surgery and conditions affecting movement. | Diagnoses and manages more complex musculoskeletal conditions and may perform surgery. |
| May provide orthotics, exercises and footwear advice. | Uses exercises, manual therapy and rehabilitation techniques. | May use medications, injections, surgery or other medical treatments. |
| Best suited to problems involving the feet and lower limbs. | Best suited to movement problems and rehabilitation. | Best suited to complex injuries and conditions requiring specialist medical care. |
When should you see a podiatrist?
Consult a podiatrist if:
- You experience persistent foot or ankle discomfort.
- You have trouble walking due to foot pain.
- You have a painful or recurring ingrown toenail.
- You have persistent corns or calluses.
- You have sustained a foot or ankle injury.
- You get recurrent heel discomfort.
- You have issues with your balance and walking.
- You have diabetes and are worried about your feet.
- You require advice on footwear or orthotics.
What to expect during a podiatry appointment
- Discuss your symptoms: The podiatrist will ask about your pain, symptoms, medical history, and daily routine.
- Examine your feet: The podiatrist will look at your skin, nails, joints, muscles, and how they move.
- Assess your movement: Your podiatrist may observe you walking or use gait analysis to understand your movement and posture.
- Discuss the diagnosis: They will explain the cause of your symptoms and offer treatment options.
- Develop a treatment plan: Treatment may include exercises, footwear advice, orthotics or other appropriate care.
- Schedule a follow-up: You may need to schedule another session to track your progress.
Note: The content on this page is for information only. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000).
