Podiatrists are health care professionals that diagnose, treat and prevent foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists use their knowledge of foot function, structure and movement, allowing people to retain normal foot health. Podiatrists provide a variety of foot-related medical treatments, including orthotics, foot therapy, pain relief and surgery. Podiatrists can treat all foot disorders due to athletics, genetics, obesity, overuse and disease. Some of these disorders include:

• Bunions
• Stress fractures
• Flat feet
• Foot Pronation
• Corns and Calluses
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Foot cancer
• Athlete’s foot
• Ingrown toenails
• Inflammation
• Heel pain
• Hammer toes
• Ankle sprains
• Shin splints
• Foot ulcers
• Swelling (edema)
• Foot-related lower back, knee and foot pain
• Plantar warts
• Ingrown toenails
• Achilles tendon disorders
• Arthritis

Unlike chiropodists, podiatrists can diagnose foot disorders, perform surgery on the bony tissues of the foot and ankle, and perform x-rays. Podiatrists provide these services in private podiatry clinics and in hospitals. Podiatric services include:

• Prescribing, fitting and assessing foot-related devices such as orthotics, stents, splints and compression socks
• Prescribing and providing medication.
• Assessing and fixing patients’ walking.
• Diagnosing, treating and preventing problems related to foot health.
• Providing foot-related health advice, including nutrition and lifestyle habits.
• Promoting foot health awareness by providing public education.