What is Podiatry and What Does a Podiatrist Do?
Life in Singapore often keeps us active, whether it is a morning run at East Coast Park, an afternoon of shopping along Orchard Road, or a leisurely walk through the historic black and white houses at Medway Park. Because our feet carry us through all these moments, even minor discomfort can quickly make daily activities harder and less enjoyable. Overlooking these signs often comes with a price, as pain that seems bearable today might lead to more serious issues in the future. This is where podiatry comes in.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is an allied healthcare professional who specialises in caring for your lower limbs. They are trained to examine, diagnose, and manage a wide range of concerns such as heel pain, flat feet, sports injuries, skin and toenail problems, as well as diabetes-related foot conditions. In everyday language, a podiatrist is sometimes referred to as a foot doctor, reflecting their role in keeping you comfortable and mobile.
When You Should See a Podiatrist
Foot problems often start small, but if they are ignored, they can interfere with daily routines and make movement difficult. Knowing when to visit a podiatrist is the best way to prevent these issues from getting worse and to keep your mobility steady.
Some of the common reasons people visit a podiatry clinic include:
- Podopaediatrics: Concerns about children’s feet, such as walking patterns or flat feet
- Bunions and other toe deformities that cause discomfort or affect choice of footwear
- Foot and ankle pain that interferes with exercise or daily activities
- Plantar fasciitis that leads to heel pain with every step
- Achilles tendonitis and related tendon problems
- Inflammatory conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis affecting the foot
- Toenail problems including fungal infections and ingrown toenails
- Soft tissue conditions such as athlete’s foot, plantar warts, as well as corns and calluses.
Seeing a podiatrist early can make management easier and help you return to daily life with less disruption. And if your movement is already limited, it’s practical to choose a podiatry clinic near you so that getting the right help is less of a strain.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Podiatry
What does a podiatrist do?
What conditions can a podiatrist help with?
Podiatrists manage a wide spectrum of lower limb concerns. These include musculoskeletal issues like bunions, heel or ankle pain, sprains, and fractures. They also handle toenail problems such as fungal infections, ingrown nails, and trauma, along with soft tissue conditions like plantar warts as well as corns and calluses. Inflammatory problems, including gout, are also within their scope.
How do I know if I should visit a podiatrist?
You should consider seeing a podiatrist if pain, swelling, or stiffness in your lower limbs is affecting your daily routine. Signs like recurring ankle or heel pain, injuries that do not heal well, or changes in the way you walk are strong indicators that input from a podiatrist could help. Persistent skin and nail issues such as corns, calluses, plantar warts, fungal skin infections, or ingrown toenails also warrant attention.
Can podiatrists perform surgery?
Most of the time, podiatrists focus on conservative approaches, but they are also able to perform minor surgical procedures when needed. These can involve removing corns, calluses, or plantar warts, draining small abscesses caused by infections, or carrying out procedures such as partial toenail avulsion.
What are some non-invasive and conservative treatments offered by podiatrists?
Podiatrists often recommend procedures that do not require surgery. These can include customised insoles or orthotics to improve alignment and reduce pressure. In cases where more advanced care is needed, techniques such as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) might be applied to encourage healing and reduce pain.
