Podiatry

Podiatry, or chiropody, is a specialised area of clinical practice, dealing with foot care and the mechanics of walking. For people with arthritis, it plays a big role in keeping mobile – making a real difference to their quality of life.

Arthritis frequently affects the feet, making standing and movement very uncomfortable. By understanding the effects of inflammation and degeneration of the joints, the podiatrist can reduce the amount of discomfort associated with arthritis.

What happens?

They will conduct a gait analysis, from which they can build a picture of the foot function. This will assess the:

• range of motion
• pressure on the foot
• forces on the individual joints
• compensation

Podiatrists prescribe orthotic insoles and shoes, which are specifically made to support your foot and make walking easier. They may also perform X-rays and ultrasound scans to get the fullest picture of bone and joint activity in the foot.

Qualified podiatrists, who can perform basic surgery on nails and minor tissue, can train as podiatric surgeons.

How do I get referred to a podiatrist?

Podiatrists are available through referral on the NHS, or you can pay to see one privately. They tend to work alone or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, either in a hospital or health clinic. They can also conduct home visits.

An appointment with a podiatrist will be followed up with a fitting if orthoses (specialist footwear) have been measured up. Other follow up appointments will be arranged at the practitioner’s recommendation, depending on what the individual requires.

Standards of Care for people with Musculoskeletal Foot Health Problems

A document setting out standards of care for foot health services for people with musculoskeletal and rheumatological conditions managed in community and hospital settings

A project carried out on behalf of the Podiatry Rheumatic Care Association
Funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign