Foot Care Professionals

Professional foot care providers offer proper assessment and safe, effective treatments for foot problems.

The training and regulation of foot care professionals varies from province to province. Some of the options are:

  • Chiropodists:
    Can assess and treat foot problems, design custom-made orthotics (shoe inserts), prescribe exercises and give foot care and foot wear information.
  • Podiatrists:
    Same scope of practice as chiropodists, but can perform bone surgery on the front part of the foot.
  • Foot care nurses:
    Trained to care for the skin and nails of the feet for those not at high risk for foot problems. Can provide foot health education on and referrals about foot care and foot wear.
  • Orthopedic surgeons:
    Physicians who perform surgery in hospital to correct structural problems. Referral from a family doctor is required.
  • Orthotists:
    Technicians who design and build devices to correct structural problems in knees, spine and lower limbs.
  • Pedorthists:
    Technicians who modify shoes according to a doctor's prescription; also make orthotic devices for feet.

Talk to your doctor for a recommendation and referral for foot care for your loved one.