FAQs

No. You do not need a referral from your family doctor or another healthcare provider to see a chiropodist. Chiropodists are regulated foot specialists who can assess and manage conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs.

Yes - within the list designated in regulation and when clinically indicated. Chiropodists are authorized to prescribe certain medications related to the treatment of foot and ankle conditions, in accordance with their professional scope of practice. This may include topical or oral antibiotics for localized infections, anti-fungal agents, and certain anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications for pain and inflammation management.

No, OHIP does not cover services provided by private chiropody clinics. However, many extended health insurance plans do cover various chiropody services, so it's advisable to check with your insurance provider about your specific coverage.

Additionally, some organizations, such as Family Health Teams or Community Health Centres, may offer chiropody services that are covered by OHIP but they have their own criteria to accept patients.

Chiropody services, which involve the assessment and treatment of foot and lower limb conditions, are generally not inherently painful.

While some treatments may involve minor discomfort, such as the treating ingrown toenails, a skilled chiropodist will take measures to minimize any discomfort and ensure your comfort throughout the process.

We may use local anesthesia for certain procedures if needed.

If you have concerns about pain or discomfort during a chiropody appointment, discuss them with your chiropodist beforehand so they can address your concerns and ensure you're as comfortable as possible during the treatment.

Most shoes that are offered in our clinic are considered orthopedic shoes. Orthopedic shoes are specialized footwear designed to support and align the feet, ankles, and legs to alleviate pain, correct or accommodate deformities or medical conditions affecting the lower extremities.

Orthopedic shoes, including the ones offered at our clinic typically cost more than regular shoes for several reasons:

1. Specialized Design: Some orthopedic shoes are designed to address specific foot conditions such as bunions or biomechanical issues such as wide or flat feet. They often include features such as extra support, cushioning through the midsole, insole, and outsole, specific fastenings, and a wide and deep toe box to accommodate foot deformities like hammertoes.

2. High-Quality Materials: These shoes are constructed with high-quality materials to ensure durability and longevity. The materials used are often more expensive than those found in regular shoes.

3. Customization: In some cases, orthopedic shoes need to be customized to fit an individual's unique foot shape or accommodate specific medical needs. This modification process requires additional time and expertise adding to the overall cost.

4. Craftsmanship: The construction techniques used for orthopedic shoes are often more intricate to achieve the necessary support and stability, contributing to higher production costs.

5. Medical expertise: Orthopedic shoes: Often prescribed or recommended by healthcare professionals. Regular shoes are selected based on personal preference and general fit.

For more information on the features of orthopedic shoes and how they can improve your foot health, please ask your chiropodist.

Orthopedic Shoes: Footwear designed with the primary purpose of supporting or accommodating the structure and mechanics of the foot, ankle, and leg. They are intended to relieve pain, prevent further damage, and provide better support for those with foot conditions. These shoes often include features such as arch support, deeper toe boxes, reinforced heels, and specialized insoles to correct or accommodate various foot problems.

Summary

• Orthopedic shoes cost more due to specialized design, high-quality materials, advanced features, and professional customization.
• Differences between orthopedic and regular shoes include support and comfort, customization, materials and construction, and functionality.
• Orthopedic shoes are defined as footwear designed to support or accommodate the foot, ankle, and leg structure, often prescribed for medical conditions.
• Customization Process: Crafting orthopedic shoes often involves consultation with healthcare professionals and possibly custom molding, which adds to the cost.
• Research and Development: Significant research goes into developing shoes that address various foot ailments, adding to their overall price.
• Extra depth to accommodate orthotics and insoles
• Wide toe boxes to reduce pressure on the toes
• Removable insoles for customized foot support
• Cushioned, shock-absorbing soles for comfort
• Arch support and motion control to assist with foot alignment

These shoes are particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, and other foot-related issues.

When attending your first chiropody appointment, it's important to come prepared to ensure your chiropodist gets a clear understanding of your foot health.

Here's a checklist of things to bring:

• Patient ID or Health Card - Please also bring a valid piece of photo ID or your health card for registration purposes.
• Patient Intake Form - Complete the intake form prior to your appointment. You can fill this out online using the form sent to your inbox when you booked your appointment. It's important to fill out this form before your appointment day so that the chiropodist has enough time to review it and be well-prepared for your appointment.
• Medical history - bring any relevant records, including past surgeries, treatments and reports from other practitioners that you see, and be ready to report medical conditions
• X-ray or Imaging results - if you’ve had any recent foot and ankle X-rays or other imaging tests related to your feet, bring the results or images along with you.
• List of medications - write down all medications you’re currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Your pharmacist can also provide you this prior to your appointment.
• Footwear - bring the shoes you wear most often, as well as any orthotics or inserts you use regularly
• Questions - write down any questions or concerns you have about your foot health, so you don’t forget to ask during your appointment.
• Insurance information - If you plan to claim your visits and orthotics, orthopedic shoes, or stockings, you should bring your extended health benefits card and details of their plan. This helps you guide them on requirements like prescriptions, gait analysis, and receipts.
• Referral or prescription (if applicable) - If their physician, nurse practitioner, or another provider gave them a referral or prescription, bring it. This can speed up insurance claims later.
• Previous orthotics or footwear - If they’ve had custom orthotics, orthopedic shoes, or compression stockings before, bringing them allows comparison and assessment.
• Comfortable clothing - For biomechanical and gait assessments.

Yes. Chiropodists regularly assess and treat plantar fasciitis. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient and may include:

• Custom or prefabricated orthotic devices to improve alignment.
• Stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Footwear recommendations.
• Taping, padding, and strapping.
• Physical therapy techniques and modalities to reduce inflammation.
• Corticosteroid injections, when appropriate and within scope.
• Referral to other healthcare providers (e.g., orthopedic surgeons) if advanced surgical care is required.

Yes. Chiropodists can offer a variety of conservative treatment options for those who suffer from painful and non-painful bunions. This comprehensive care includes:

• Assessing the severity and associated symptoms, such as pain, swelling, or difficulty wearing shoes to help guide treatment.
• Padding, taping, or shoe inserts to help alleviate bunion symptoms.
• Prescribing custom foot orthoses to help correct foot mechanics to help reduce pain and slow the progression of the deformity.
• Providing advice and guidance on choosing footwear that accommodates the bunion and minimizes discomfort, such as shoes with a wide toe box and a low heel.
• Providing prescriptions for custom shoe modifications such as balloon patches or ball and socket stretching which are carried out by qualified shoemakers or pedorthists.
• Advice for surgical intervention – in cases where conservative treatment does not work or the bunion is causing severe pain or deformity, chiropodists can guide the referral of patients to orthopedic surgeons for surgical correction of the bunion.

Chiropody treatment involves a range of services aimed at assessing, diagnosing, and treating various foot and ankle conditions. Here are some common aspects of chiropody treatment:

Assessment and Diagnosis:

• Comprehensive examination of the foot and ankle.
• Evaluation of medical history and symptoms.
• Assessment of gait and foot mechanics.
• Diagnosis of foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, etc.

Conservative Treatments:

• Padding, strapping, or taping to support and protect affected areas.
• Prescription of custom orthotic devices to correct foot alignment and address biomechanical issues.
• Advice on proper footwear selection and modifications.
• Recommendations for stretching exercises and self-care techniques.
• Prescription orthopedic shoes and custom modifications to orthopedic shoes.

Nail Care:

• Trimming and debriding toenails.
• Treatment of ingrown toenails.
• Management of fungal nail infections.
• Prescription of oral and topical medications related to nail and skin infections due to fungus or bacteria.

Skin and Soft Tissue Care:

• Treatment of corns, calluses, and plantar warts.
• Management of dry, cracked skin and fungal infections (e.g., athlete's foot)
• Removal of foreign bodies or lesions.

Foot Care for Specific Populations:

• Specialized care for individuals with diabetes, including risk assessment, ulcer prevention, and wound care.
• Foot care for seniors, including management of age-related foot issues and mobility challenges.

Minor Surgical Procedures and Injections:

• Performing minor surgical procedures such as toenail surgery (e.g., partial nail avulsion for ingrown toenails).
• Soft tissue procedures and injections for conditions like plantar fasciitis or neuromas.

Education and Prevention:

• Patient education on foot health, hygiene, and self-management strategies.
• Prevention strategies for common foot problems.
• Guidance on lifestyle modifications to promote foot health.

Chiropody treatment is highly individualized, with specific interventions tailored to each patient's needs, condition severity, and treatment goals. Chiropodists work to improve foot function, alleviate pain, and enhance overall foot health and mobility.

The duration of your initial appointment typically takes between 30-45 minutes, and if required or recommended, the consecutive appointments range between 15-30 minutes, depending on what the appointment is for.

In Ontario, the terms "chiropodist" and "podiatrist" are used somewhat differently compared to other countries, such as the United Kingdom or the United States. Here's how they are typically understood in Ontario:

Chiropodist:

In most provinces in Canada, the term "chiropodist" is used to describe a foot specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat foot conditions. Chiropodists in Canada undergo formal education and training in chiropody, one location being the Michener Institute of Education in Toronto, which encompasses the assessment, management, and prevention of foot disorders. Chiropodists are primary healthcare providers with expertise in foot care.

Podiatrist:

While the term "podiatrist" is less commonly used in Canada compared to other countries like the United States, it generally refers to practitioners who have trained abroad and hold an international qualification in podiatry. Specifically in Ontario, Podiatrists were licensed before 1993. These practitioners may be licensed to practice podiatric medicine in Canada, depending on the province's regulatory requirements. Podiatrists can perform bony surgeries on the forefoot, whereas Chiropodists cannot.

In summary, in Ontario, "chiropodist" is the more commonly used term to describe foot specialists who diagnose and treat foot conditions, while "podiatrist" may be used to refer to practitioners with international qualifications in podiatry.