Podotherapeut

Podotherapeut, or podotherapist, is a health professional who specializes in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of foot and lower-limb disorders, with emphasis on foot function, gait, and biomechanics. The aim is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent further injury through non-surgical interventions and conservative care.

Education and regulation vary by country. In many places, podotherapists are trained in podotherapy at the bachelor level and work as allied health professionals within healthcare systems. They undergo supervised clinical training and must be registered or licensed to practice. They may work in private clinics, hospitals, or multidisciplinary teams.

Core activities include conducting foot and gait assessments, analysing biomechanics, and designing and fabricating foot orthoses or insoles. They provide advice on footwear, perform basic foot care and nail management within their scope, and may treat skin conditions such as calluses and corns, as well as wounds on the feet.

Common conditions addressed include overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunions, ingrown nails, athlete’s foot, calluses, diabetic foot ulcers, and other biomechanical problems affecting the feet and lower limbs. Podotherapists also work on prevention strategies, rehabilitation, and activity modification to maintain foot health.

In clinical settings, podotherapists often collaborate with general practitioners, medical specialists, physiotherapists, and diabetes care teams as part of a patient-centered approach to foot health and mobility. The exact scope and responsibilities can differ by jurisdiction.