Podiatrist, chiropodist or foot health practitioner: what's the difference?

If you've ever searched for someone to look at your feet, you'll have met a small crowd of job titles: podiatrist, chiropodist, foot health practitioner, podiatry assistant, nail technician. They aren't all the same, and knowing the difference helps you choose the right person for the job. Here's our plain-English guide.

Podiatrist and chiropodist: two names, one profession

In the UK, "podiatrist" and "chiropodist" mean the same thing. Podiatrist is the modern name; chiropodist is the older one that many people still use, and that's absolutely fine.

What matters is that both are protected titles in law. Only someone registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) can call themselves a podiatrist or a chiropodist. To get on the register, they need an approved qualification, usually a degree, and they must keep meeting the HCPC's standards for conduct, skills and ongoing training (CPD) to stay on it.

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat problems with the feet and lower limbs. That includes things like:

• nail surgery for ingrown toenails, carried out under local anaesthetic

• assessing how you walk and stand, and prescribing orthotics

• managing heel pain, verrucae, fungal nails and painful skin

• foot checks and ongoing care for people with diabetes or poor circulation

• with extra training and the right entitlements, giving injections or prescribing medicines

You can check any podiatrist or chiropodist on the HCPC register. It takes about a minute, and the record also shows any extra medicines entitlements, such as administering or supplying certain prescription-only medicines, or prescribing.

Foot health practitioners

Foot health practitioners (FHPs) provide general foot care, such as nail cutting, and treatment of corns and hard skin. Many do a very good job, and for straightforward routine care they can be a sensible choice.

The difference is regulation. FHPs aren't regulated by the HCPC, training routes vary, and they can't use the titles podiatrist or chiropodist. There is currently no PSA-accredited register for foot health practitioners. Some belong to voluntary registers or associations, so it's worth asking about their training and insurance. A good FHP will work within their training and refer you on when something needs a podiatrist or your GP.

Podiatry assistants and students

You may also be seen by a podiatry assistant or a podiatry student. Assistants carry out set tasks, such as routine nail and skin care, under the direction of an HCPC-registered podiatrist. Students treat patients under supervision as part of their training. Both are a normal part of podiatry, and you're always welcome to ask who's treating you and what their role is.

Nail technicians and beauty therapists

For cosmetic care, such as a pedicure, polish or tidying healthy nails, a nail technician or beauty therapist is the right person. They're not there to treat medical problems, so if something is painful, infected or not healing, it's time to see a health professional. (Lovely nail varnish, sadly, doesn't fix an ingrown toenail.)

When should you see a podiatrist?

As a rough guide, see an HCPC-registered podiatrist if you:

• have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet

• have an ingrown toenail that keeps coming back or may need nail surgery

• have ongoing pain in your heel, arch, ankle, knee or hip that might be linked to how you walk

• have a verruca, fungal nail or skin problem that isn't clearing up

• are thinking about injection therapy or orthotics

If you notice a cut, ulcer, swelling or colour change on a diabetic foot, contact your podiatrist, GP or diabetes team straight away.

About us at Biped

At Biped Podiatry in Redcar and Guisborough, Andy (Clive Lomas) is an HCPC-registered podiatrist (HCPC registration CH32011) and a member of the Institute of Podiatrists (MInstChP). You're very welcome to look him up on the HCPC register.

Ready to book? Book online at bipedpodiatry.cliniko.com/bookings or call us on 01642 937295.

Further reading: Check a podiatrist on the HCPC register, Health and Care Professions Council.