What a Chiropodist Actually Does
A chiropodist is Ontario's regulated foot specialist, trained to assess, diagnose, and treat conditions of the foot and lower limb. That covers everything from routine nail care to minor surgery. Below are the ten services patients ask about most, with links to learn more about each.
1. Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are prescription shoe inserts made from a biomechanical assessment of how you stand and walk. They correct alignment issues that cause heel pain, flat feet discomfort, and knee or lower back pain linked to poor foot mechanics.
2. Ingrown Toenail Treatment
An ingrown toenail can become painful and infected quickly. Chiropodists perform ingrown toenail procedures under local anaesthetic, including a permanent correction for nails that keep coming back.
3. Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes can reduce sensation and circulation in the feet, which makes small problems dangerous. Diabetic foot care includes regular assessments, callus management, and early detection of wounds before they become serious.
4. Corn and Callus Treatment
Thick, painful skin is usually a sign of abnormal pressure. Chiropodists provide painless corn and callus treatment and, just as importantly, identify what is causing the pressure so it does not return.
5. Fungal Nail Treatment
Thick, discoloured, or crumbly nails are often a fungal nail infection that will not clear on its own. Fungal nail treatment targets the infection and helps restore healthier nail growth.
6. Wart Treatment
Plantar warts are contagious and often painful to walk on. Professional wart treatment is far more effective than over-the-counter remedies, especially for warts that have been there a while.
7. Heel Pain and Shockwave Therapy
Persistent heel pain and plantar fasciitis respond well to targeted treatment. For stubborn cases, shockwave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected tissue.
8. Toenail Reconstruction
Damaged, split, or partially missing nails can be rebuilt with toenail reconstruction, which restores a natural appearance while the healthy nail grows back underneath.
9. Routine Medical Nail Care
For patients who cannot safely cut their own nails, whether due to thickness, reduced mobility, or medical risk, chiropodists provide medical nail care in a properly sterilized clinical setting. This is very different from a salon pedicure (see our comparison of medical foot care vs. salon pedicures).
10. Pediatric Foot Care
Children's feet grow and change quickly, and problems caught early are easier to correct. Pediatric foot care covers everything from flat feet and gait concerns to warts and ingrown nails in kids.
Foot Care Under One Roof in Vaughan
Because foot problems often overlap, it helps to see a clinic that provides the full range of services in one place. Foot Forward Clinic is located at 2389 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Unit 303, Vaughan, with three registered chiropodists in good standing with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario.
We serve Maple, Woodbridge, Thornhill, Kleinburg, Richmond Hill, and Concord.
Book your appointment online or call (647) 689-7533.
Educational information only. This article is intended for general education and should not replace an assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you have concerns about your child's feet, please book an assessment with a registered chiropodist.