Quick question to start. How long have you been a chiropodist?
19 years.
Why did you want to become a chiropodist?
Because I am genuinely interested in all aspects of foot-care!
What part of the job do you enjoy most?
Improving patients footcare and, even better, curing their presenting foot condition.
Does it make sense to have regular check-ups with your chiropodist?
How often patients need chiropody treatments depends very much on their foot problems. If a patient requires general foot-care with no specific problem troubling them, then it is probably best to have a check-up every six months.
What are some of the usual treatments you carry out on patients?
Some of the most common problems I encounter are thickened nails and hard skin (callus) on the plantar surface of the foot (sole of the foot).
What services can you provide for patients?
General foot-care, including nail conditions, treatment for verrucae, and assessments of biomechanical problems.
How long do most appointments take?
This depends on the patient’s presenting problem, but an initial first consultation will generally take an hour, with subsequent consultations taking about half an hour.
Can footwear have a detrimental effect on your feet?
Most certainly – footwear can cause many problems for the feet, and advice is always given if the chiropodist feels that a patient’s condition could be improved by more appropriate footwear.
