A chiropodist is a regulated healthcare professional who specializes in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of foot and ankle conditions. Chiropodists are trained to manage a wide range of issues, including heel pain, skin and nail concerns, diabetic foot complications, and biomechanical problems. In Ontario, chiropodists can prescribe certain medications, administer local anesthesia, perform soft tissue procedures, and provide custom orthotics. No referral is needed to see a chiropodist.

No referral necessary. In most cases, you do not need a prescription from your family doctor to receive custom orthotics from a chiropodist. Chiropodists are authorized to assess and prescribe orthotics directly. However, some insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral or prescription for reimbursement. We recommend checking your coverage details in advance.

No, chiropody services are not covered by OHIP in most private clinics. However, many extended health insurance plans do provide coverage for chiropody care, including assessments, treatments, and custom orthotics. Some community health centres and family health teams may offer chiropody services at no cost for eligible patients, such as seniors or individuals with diabetes, but availability is limited. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to see what’s included in your plan.

Most extended health plans offer some coverage for chiropody services, including assessments, treatments, and custom orthotics. Coverage varies by provider, so we recommend checking your policy or contacting your insurance company before your appointment. We do not offer direct billing for custom orthotics.

In Ontario, both are foot specialists regulated by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Chiropodists in Ontario are trained in a post-graduate, three-year program focused solely on the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are trained in the U.S. with a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Podiatrists trained in the U.S. However, no new podiatrists have been registered in Ontario since 1993 due to legislation changes. Both chiropodists and podiatrists treat conditions like plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, bunions, heel pain, diabetic foot issues, and more. The scope of practice is very similar in day-to-day care. Chiropodists are trained to perform soft tissue surgeries on the foot, such as nail surgeries and wart procedures. More advanced bone surgery (like bunion correction) may be referred to a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon.

es — even if you saw the same clinician at a previous clinic, we require an initial appointment at our new location. Here’s why:
– Your records from the previous clinic are not automatically transferred due to privacy laws
– We need to create a new chart under Waterdown Foot Clinic
– We’ll review your medical history and update any changes since your last visit
– This ensures safe, consistent, and personalized care moving forward