Chiropody is the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. The term is largely interchangeable with podiatry, though the distinction between the two carries legal and professional weight in some countries. If you’ve come across “chiropodist” on a clinic sign or referral form and wondered what they actually do, the short answer is: they’re foot specialists trained to handle everything from ingrown toenails and hard skin to diabetic foot complications and custom orthotics.
Chiropody vs. Podiatry
“Chiropody” was the original professional title for foot care specialists. Over the past 40 years, “podiatry” gradually replaced it across North America and most developed countries, bringing with it expanded training requirements and a broader scope of practice. In the UK, the two terms are used interchangeably, and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registers practitioners under the combined title “chiropodists/podiatrists.” Both must meet the same standards of proficiency to practise.
The distinction matters most in Ontario, Canada, where legislation created two separate professions. Podiatrists there hold a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree (a four-year postgraduate qualification), can bill the provincial health plan directly, and are authorized to perform bone surgery on the forefoot. Chiropodists typically hold a post-secondary diploma in chiropody, cannot bill the provincial plan, and have a narrower surgical scope. Outside Ontario, the practical difference between the two titles is minimal or nonexistent.
What a Chiropodist Treats
Chiropodists manage a wide range of foot problems, from everyday discomfort to conditions that carry serious health risks if left untreated. Common reasons people visit include:
- Corns and calluses: thickened patches of skin caused by pressure or friction, removed by careful debridement with a scalpel
- Ingrown toenails: nails that grow into the surrounding skin, often requiring minor surgery
- Verrucas (plantar warts): treated with topical acids, freezing therapy, or a combination of both
- Fungal nail infections: thickened, discolored nails assessed and managed with topical or oral treatments
- Foot pain and gait problems: musculoskeletal issues in the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves of the feet
- Diabetic foot complications: nerve damage, poor circulation, and ulcers that require ongoing specialist monitoring
Chiropodists also prescribe custom foot orthotics (insoles shaped to your foot) and specialist footwear to correct alignment issues or relieve pain from structural problems.
Biomechanical Assessments and Orthotics
When foot pain relates to how you stand or walk rather than a specific injury, a chiropodist will carry out a biomechanical assessment. This typically has two parts. The static evaluation looks at your foot posture, arch height, joint flexibility, muscle strength, leg length differences, and overall body alignment while you’re standing still. The dynamic evaluation watches you in motion: standing on one leg, rising onto your toes, and walking so the practitioner can analyze your foot pressure patterns, joint movements, and timing.
If the assessment identifies a structural or functional problem, you may be prescribed custom orthotics. These are molded from impressions or scans of your feet and designed to redistribute pressure, support collapsed arches, or correct the way your foot rolls during each step. Off-the-shelf insoles address general comfort, but custom orthotics target specific mechanical faults identified during the assessment.
Nail Surgery
One of the most common surgical procedures chiropodists perform is nail avulsion for painful or ingrown toenails, done under local anaesthetic in the clinic. Partial avulsion removes just the offending strip of nail along one edge and is the standard approach for ingrown toenails. A chemical called phenol is then applied to the nail root to prevent that section from regrowing. Total avulsion, where the entire nail plate is removed, is reserved for more severe cases like pincer nails or widespread fungal infections that haven’t responded to other treatment.
Recovery is straightforward. Most people return to normal activities within about two weeks, though the toe needs to be kept clean and dressed during that time. If only part of the nail was removed, the remaining nail continues growing normally. A fully removed toenail takes 10 to 12 months to regrow completely, compared to 4 to 5 months for a fingernail.
Verruca Treatment
Plantar warts (verrucas) on the soles of the feet can be stubborn. Chiropodists typically start with topical acids, most commonly salicylic acid, applied over several weeks to gradually break down the infected tissue. When that fails, cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) is the usual next step. The freezing works by damaging the infected cells through repeated freeze-thaw cycles, with plantar warts sometimes requiring up to a full minute of freezing per session due to the thick skin on the sole.
Combining cryotherapy with daily salicylic acid application at home has shown success rates around 86% in clinical studies. Treatments are typically spaced two weeks apart, and multiple sessions are common before the wart clears.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes is one of the most important reasons people are referred to a chiropodist. High blood sugar over time can damage the nerves in the feet (causing loss of sensation) and reduce blood flow to the extremities. Together, these make it easy to develop a wound you can’t feel and difficult for that wound to heal, creating a serious risk of infection and, in severe cases, amputation.
A chiropodist’s diabetic foot examination includes inspecting the skin (including between the toes) for ulcers, unusual redness, calluses with bleeding underneath, and nail problems. They check for temperature differences between your two feet, which can signal circulation problems or early ulceration. They test sensation using simple tools to determine whether you’ve lost protective feeling. They also assess the bones and joints of the foot for deformities that change how pressure is distributed when you walk.
Patients classified as high risk, meaning those with neuropathy, poor circulation, inflammatory arthritis, or suppressed immune systems, receive ongoing podiatric care including regular skin and nail maintenance, ulcer management, and pressure-relieving insoles. A diagnosis of diabetes alone, without these complications, does not typically qualify someone for ongoing NHS chiropody services in the UK.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
A first visit usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The chiropodist will ask about your medical history, current medications, previous foot problems, and any surgeries. They’ll examine both feet, checking skin condition, nail health, circulation, sensation, and joint movement. Bring your usual walking shoes and any insoles or orthotics you currently use, as wear patterns on footwear reveal a lot about how you walk.
Depending on the problem, treatment may start the same day. Corns and calluses can be reduced in a single session. Ingrown toenails might be treated conservatively first or scheduled for nail surgery. Biomechanical issues will likely need a follow-up appointment once orthotics have been manufactured. If your chiropodist identifies something outside their scope, such as a condition originating above the ankle or a problem requiring advanced imaging, they’ll refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Accessing Chiropody Services
In the UK, NHS chiropody (podiatry) services are available but restricted to patients with both a medical need and a foot-related risk. Conditions that typically qualify include diabetes with nerve damage or circulation problems, inflammatory arthritis, neurological conditions, immune suppression, and active foot ulcers. Routine nail cutting, corns and calluses without underlying medical risk, fungal infections, and verrucas are generally not covered by the NHS.
If you don’t meet NHS eligibility criteria, private chiropodists are widely available without a referral. Initial consultations typically cost between £30 and £60 in the UK, with routine follow-up treatments at the lower end of that range. Many private health insurance plans cover chiropody, particularly when linked to a diagnosed condition. In Canada, coverage varies by province and private insurance plan, with Ontario maintaining its distinct split between chiropodists and podiatrists.