A Chiropodist is a primary health care professional that assesses and treats foot and lower limb disorders. This may include management of local and systemic conditions. As is required, Chiropodists are registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. They practice podiatric medicine and, in many cases, work with your health care team to treat the chronic and acute conditions affecting your feet. For Chiropodists, a yearly registration is mandatory, similar to many other regulated health care providers. A code of ethics and standards of care, aimed at protecting you, accompany this registration.
The goal of chiropody treatment is to maintain and/or improve an individual’s activity and mobility. Biomechanical changes with standing and movement can occur, causing pain and limiting walking ability. Such changes may include variations in hip and knee alignment, as both these areas have a significant effect on the feet.
Chiropodists specialize in the following areas of care:
Chiropodists work with your health care team to maintain and improve your foot health.
What can I expect when I see a Chiropodist for an initial assessment?
At Think Feet Family Foot Clinic, we have a standardized form that is completed prior to your first appointment. The information obtained for this form confirms your foot concerns and assists the Chiropodist in developing a treatment plan to improve your foot health. During the initial assessment, your feet will be examined. Depending on the reason for your visit, you may be asked to stand and/or walk-in order to evaluate your balance and the weight-bearing positioning of your feet. At Think Feet, we like for you to be directly involved with your treatment. Discussions surrounding any conditions or changes to your feet will occur. Furthermore, we strive to individualize each treatment plan to help all of our patients reach their personal goals.
Please note:
We ask that you do not wear nail polish for your assessment. This limits our ability to examine nail plates and nail beds.
We request an updated list of your current medications to increase our understanding of your general health and treatment limitations.
A consent form is part of your intake form regarding sharing health information with our clinic, must be read and signed. If applicable, an email communication consent can also be addressed. We are moving forward with electronic charting and are aiming to contact patients via email if they wish.
Think Feet- Family Foot Clinic encourages, when needed, family involvement with foot care. We will educate family members on how best to assist. If a patient requires a Power of Attorney, as they are unable to make informed decisions independently, we must have the supporting documentation before foot care can be initiated. This way, we ensure effective communication with all parties.
Chiropodists are able to prescribe custom-made orthotics. These devices are made specifically for an individual by taking a molded impression of their feet. At Think Feet- Family Foot Clinic, this casting is done with Plaster of Paris and foam boxes. These impressions are then sent to an orthotics lab for manufacturing. Orthotics may be soft, semi-rigid, or rigid in construction.
Initially, a biomechanical assessment is completed to determine the best device for the patient, considering their weight, foot position, and/or lesions. During this appointment, the patient’s current footwear is reviewed to ensure that the pain and/or foot alignment issues are not related to any external causes. We also recommend trying stretching exercises and wearing supportive footwear, prior to orthotics. Mainly, orthotics are needed for pain management and daily living improvement, as they improve walking ability. However, it is important to recognize that custom-made orthotics are not for everyone. An evaluation is necessary to develop the best-individualized treatment plan.
In most cases, orthotics are covered by insurance. We encourage our patients to check with their insurance providers to see if a physician prescription is required. If so, we will gladly send a consultation to your family doctor, after the biomechanical assessment, demonstrating your orthotic need.
Off-the-shelf devices are soft in construction and are mostly meant to cushion areas. Some are semi-rigid, but their use is limited to those with mild structural changes. Overall, off-the-shelf insoles are made for an average person with an average arch and are unhelpful for abnormal foot structure.
At Think Feet, we accept all payment forms, including cash, cheque, Interac Debit, Visa, and MasterCard. At this time, we do not take American Express. We also provide services to those with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) cards.
Please note that Think Feet, as a private clinic, is not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Fortunately, most insurance companies cover Chiropody treatments. However, as Think Feet does not deal directly with any insurance companies, payment following appointments is required. We will provide all of the necessary invoice information, but the insurance submission is your responsibility.
What is Onyfix?
This is a new product that acts as a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment for ingrown nails. We have started to provide this to our clients to assist as part of a nail correction system. It can also be incorporated into a partial nail avulsion surgery to assist with improving nail shape as the nail grows out. For further information ask your chiropodist.
Is it safe to come to the office with the pandemic continuing?
This office has continued to follow all the guidelines required to maintain your safety in our office and our staff to stay safe. This is important to us. You will be informed prior to your appointment on what is required depending on our provincial requirements. At present masks and the use of hand sanitizer are required to enter our office. If you have any concerns please contact the office.
