Foot deformities may require re- alignment which is best attained by using specialized devices in the shoes known as Orthotic devices. These prescription devices are made at our Brampton Foot Clinic using 3D volumetric laser scanners and impressions in plaster cast. We at the Clinic ensure a meticulous workup to accurately evaluate your foot type, gait, level of activity and even footwear used to arrive at customized solutions.
In Ontario, chiropodists / podiatrists are the only regulated primary health care professionals that are able to prescribe, manufacture and dispense foot orthotics.
Foot supports, insoles and arch supports are devices which are bought from the store and not true foot orthotics, and thus they are not reimbursed by insurance companies.
On the contrary true orthotic devices are customized and prepared after an in – house evaluation using the modality of 3D volumetric laser scanner and plaster cast impressions at our Brampton Foot Clinic.
In terms of insurance benefits, the terms Podiatrist and Chiropodist mean the same and both are eligible for insurance coverage.
In Ontario, Chiropodists and Podiatrists are both regulated by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario to practice foot care. Both practitioners have the same regulated scope of practice in Ontario (defined by the Chiropody Act). The difference in the usage of the terms arises from where they obtained their education. In Ontario, Chiropody is used for the profession (similar to the U.K) as opposed to Podiatry which is used in the U.S. Both professionals undergo extensive theoretical and clinical education prior to registration with the College of Chiropodists (a minimum of 7-8 years of higher education).
Chiropodists and podiatrists are both regulated by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario to practice foot care in Ontario. The difference between a chiropodist and podiatrist in Ontario is determined by the country the chiropody or podiatry degree was awarded. If the chiropodist or podiatrist graduated from a podiatry school in the United States before July 1993 then they are allowed to use the title podiatrist to practice in Ontario. US trained podiatrists licensed before July 1993 have an expanded scope of practice that includes forefoot bone surgery to surgically treat problems such as bunions and hammer toes.
Chiropodists or podiatrists trained in a podiatry school in Ontario or a commonwealth country can only use the title chiropodist. A podiatrist trained in the US after July 1993 can only use the title chiropodist. Ontario is the only jurisdiction differentiating use of title based on country of training. Historically all podiatrists were chiropodists. In the USA, the profession changed the name in 1960 from chiropodist to podiatrist because of the title chiropodist was being mistaken for chiropractor. In commonwealth countries, the name changed from chiropodist to podiatrist in 1990. Unfortunately, in Ontario, this name change has not occurred.
Across Canada provincial regulations differ from province to province.
British Columbia only allows US trained podiatrists to practice
lberta appears only to allow US trained podiatrists to practice
askatchewan allows Canadian, commonwealth and US trained podiatrists to use title podiatrist
Quebec allows Quebec trained and US trained podiatrists to use title podiatrist
New Brunswick allows Canadian, commonwealth and US trained podiatrists to use title podiatrist
NS, PEI and NFLD allows both Canadian, commonwealth and US trained podiatrists to use title podiatrist
When a patient is suffering from foot or back pain resulting from damage or an imbalance in walking, proper treatment requires a more extensive diagnosis and treatment than buying an over the counter solution. Such quick fixes may easily complicate the situation and create more damage rather than help.
A podiatrist or chiropodist specializes in conditions affecting the lower extremities of the body; foot, ankle and structures of the leg. This specialized foot doctor must go through extensive training of the human anatomy, physiology and other medical study similar to a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.).
During their course of study they will pursue all the major areas of medicine to gain exposure and practice of human anatomy (the study of functions of organs and structures in the body), physiology (the study of the chemical and physical functions in the body), pathophysiology (the study of functional changes associated with or resulting from disease or injury), as well as sociological and psychological functions of the body. Podiatrists also must have extensive training in general medicine, surgery and pharmacology (the study of study of how chemicals (drugs) affect the human systems. When one goes to a podiatrist they can be confident that they are under the care of a highly qualified and highly skilled physician.
Treatment for foot and back pain (they are often connected) may require the use of orthotics to control, guide and limit a segment of the body for a period of time to allow rest and healing from an injury or imbalance in the body. Such treatment requires specialized diagnosis as every person and injury is different and the use of orthotics should be made and tailored specifically to each human system.
A typical examination should last at least 30 minutes with the podiatrist examining the patient carefully, questioning and listening to the patient for possible cause and effect and reviewing the patient’s history to give the best diagnosis and follow-up treatment.
