This is a question we get asked on a daily basis.

All the members of our team are qualified Podiatrists, but what does that mean and why aren’t we called Chiropodists?

I find the easiest way to remember it is that Chiropody is anything to do with the skin or nails and Podiatry is pain or discomfort coming from inside the foot.

When someone wanted to become a Chiropodist, they would train for 1 or 2 years and specialise in treatments involving nail care, calluses, corns and verrucas.

In recent years, there are no Chiropody courses available as the name was changed to “Podiatry”.

Podiatrists spend 3-4 years in university and specialise in all treatments related to Chiropody, along with lower leg pain, foot pain and gait analysis. 

So, here at South Dublin Podiatry we have two main appointments; “Chiropody” and “Podiatry” which involve a wide range of lower-limb and foot conditions.

I have broken down some of the common conditions that we treat for both categories.

Chiropody Appointments

• Thickened nail

• Fungal nails                                                                                       

• Ingrown nails

• Hard skin/ Callus

• Fissures

• Corns

• Verrucas

• Dry skin

• Athletes Foot

• Blisters

• Diabetic foot assessments

• General foot care advice

Podiatry Appointments

• General foot/ ankle/ leg pain

• Plantar fasciitis

• Turf toe

• Heel pain

• Bunions

• Metatarsalgia (pain on the ball of the foot)

• Gait analysis

• Toe and foot deformities 

There are a lot of conditions related to the feet and I have only mentioned the common ones that we see. If you have any concerns about your feet be sure to give us a call or pop in to get more information from one of our Podiatrists.