Podiatry

Podiatry (from Greek “pous/pod-” for foot and “-logy” for study) is the medical field dealing with the health of the feet. Podiatrists are specially trained professionals who deal with the prevention and treatment of foot and toe conditions.

Tasks of a podiatrist

• medical foot care: professional cutting and treatment of nails (e.g. ingrown nails), removal of corns and calluses
• foot inspection and advice: assessing the condition of the feet, care tips, recognising abnormalities (e.g. with diabetes)
• therapeutic measures: special treatments, e.g. nail braces or orthoses
• prevention: regular checks detect pressure points, incorrect loading and nail diseases early

Podiatry vs. cosmetic foot care

Unlike purely cosmetic foot care, podiatrists are medically trained and may treat foot conditions in cooperation with doctors. In Germany, “Podologe/Podologin” is a legally protected profession requiring state certification. Podiatry therefore plays an important role in caring for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or circulatory disorders – and can be prescribed by a doctor for certain conditions.