“You Just Cut Toenails, Right?”
We’ve all heard it:
“Oh, you’re a Podiatrist? That’s like… toenails and hard skin, right?”
Cue internal sigh.
Let’s get one thing straight — podiatry is far more than clipping nails and shaving calluses, although we do that too (and very well, thank you). But behind every routine foot care appointment is a profession rooted in medical science, biomechanics, and problem-solving. And believe it or not, even people in the medical field often underestimate what we actually do.
“It’s Just Feet…” Until It Isn’t
Feet are the literal foundation of the body. You wouldn’t build a house on a wonky base — so why ignore the structures you rely on every single day to stand, walk, run, or dance at a wedding for five hours?
We’ve seen patients with back pain, hip pain, even migraines that have improved once foot mechanics were corrected. And yet, we still hear:
“Can’t the GP just look at that?”
“I thought Physio covered that stuff?”
“Isn’t that just ‘a corn’?”
It’s no one’s fault — podiatry just isn’t always given the spotlight. But we’re here to change that.
Yes, We Cut Toenails — But We Also Do So Much More
Routine foot care is certainly a part of podiatry — and an important one. But podiatrists are trained to:
Manage diabetic foot complications, preventing ulcers and even amputations
Assess and treat wounds with advanced skills in wound assessment, tissue viability, sharp debridement, and care planning
Create individualised care plans that can be followed by carers, district nurses, or other professionals
Diagnose and manage sports injuries like plantar fasciitis, tendon issues, and stress fractures
Assess biomechanics and prescribe custom orthotics to improve movement and reduce joint strain
Perform minor surgical procedures, including ingrown toenail removal and soft tissue lesion excision
Prescribe medications, where qualified
Work collaboratively with GPs, physiotherapists, surgeons, and multidisciplinary teams
Unless you’ve had a hole in your foot, it’s easy to overlook how complex wound management can be — but podiatrists do it every day. They manage pressure relief, monitor infection risk, apply advanced dressings, and make long-term plans to prevent recurrence.
And still, even some in healthcare say: “Oh! I didn’t realise you did all that!”
Isn’t Podiatry Just For Older People?
Yes, we love our older patients — but our clinics are full of:
Teens with ingrown toenails
Runners with Achilles pain
Office workers with heel pain from ill-fitting shoes
Children with flat feet or tip-toe walking
If you have feet, we’re your people.
Feet Can Be Funny — But Our Work Is Serious
We get it — feet aren’t everyone’s favourite body part. Some people say feet are ugly, some people are embarrassed by how they look or smell, or the fact they’ve ignored a problem for years. But we’re not here to judge — we’re here to help.
We’ve removed everything from rogue verrucae to ingrown nails that were causing someone agony. Patients often walk out saying, “Why didn’t I come sooner?” And honestly, we ask ourselves the same thing.
Final Thoughts: Step Into the Bigger Picture
If you’re a professional working in healthcare and still think Podiatrists “just deal with nails,” come shadow us for a day. You’ll see diabetic wounds, MSK assessments, gait analysis, surgical planning, and yes, some beautifully debrided callus.
Podiatrists are essential, whether we’re keeping someone mobile, relieving pain that’s travelled all the way to the hip, or quite literally saving a limb.
So let’s give feet — and the people who care for them — the respect they deserve.
Feeling unsure about your feet? We’re here to help — no judgment, just expert care.
Because when your foundation’s off, the whole structure feels it.
