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Foot Health Week!

This year’s Foot Health Week celebrates the foot as a masterpiece of engineering. Find out more about your feet and the expertise podiatrists bring to foot and lower limb health.

Click here for member resources

Introducing this year's theme: “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering".

Our annual awareness campaign is from Monday 24 April to Sunday 30 April. It’s a time to focus on all things feet.

Did you know?

  • By the age of one, a child’s foot will already have grown to half its adult size. It will then take until age 18 for the 26 bones in the foot to finish developing
  • Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons. These constantly adapt to keep you flexible and moving
  • Your feet have over 250,000 sweat glands and produce approximately half a pint of sweat everyday
  • In flat shoes, twice your body weight will pass through your big toe joint with every step.

So how can a podiatist help?

Podiatrists are experts in all aspects of foot and lower limb health

Their scope of practice ranges from everyday footcare needs such as issues with toenails, calluses and corns, and treating and avoiding infections, all the way to early detection and diagnosis, minor surgery, sports injuries, healing wounds and preventing amputations. Podiatrists cover a large range of issues in the lower limb including:
 
  • General foot health
  • Musculoskeletal podiatry such as joint pain, sports injuries, walking analysis and rehabilitation
  • Minor surgery under local anaesthetic - this includes ingrown toenail removal
  • Vascular podiatry - ensuring your circulation works the best way it can in your lower limbs
  • Skin conditions
  • Wound care
  • High-risk limb care for those with complex health needs.

You can also read more about lots of common foot conditions or download our free guide to foot health.

Common foot problems Download our free Guide to Foot Health

This is only scratching the surface of what a podiatrist can do!

Some have completed further training to become podiatric surgeons, operating on bone and joint conditions in the foot. No matter your age or foot issue, there is a podiatrist that is right for you.

I thought that chiropodists dealt with footcare?

The profession used to be known as chiropody until the qualification changed from a dipolma in chiropody to an Honours degree in Podiatric Medicine. There is no difference between a chiropodist's and a podiatrist's service. Podiatrists are trained to degree level and are Allied Health Professionals. In the UK, podiatry is a regulated profession. All podiatrists must be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered. You can check that your foot care provider is registered at hcpc-uk.org.

Podiatrists sound amazing! How can I get help with my foot problem?

You can find a private clinic near you using our Find a Podiatrist service. You can also check with your local NHS to find out what NHS podiatry services are available in your area. Services vary depending on your local NHS Trust or Health Board and self-referral may be available. Many health insurance companies will also cover podiatry services. Check with your insurance provider for details.

What is the College doing for foot health week 2023?

We are leading the charge during Foot Health Week. We'll be informing the public about the role that podiatry plays in saving lives and limbs; arming our members with the resources they need to spread the word.

We're making lots of resources available, including:

I'm a member -  how can I get involved?.

  • Participating in community walks and workshops
  • Educational talks and presentations
  • Giving speeches at local schools and education centres
  • Working with other healthcare professionals to provide foot screenings and other services in your local community.
Resources for members' use are now downloadable from the member only online shop. 


I'm a member of the public - how can I get involved?

What is the Royal College of Podiatry?

The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) is the voice of podiatry in the UK. It speaks to the public, media, government bodies and other organisations about the importance of podiatry and the many lives it saves. We are the professional body and trade union for podiatrists and are the academic authority in the UK. The College does not provide training in podiatry but accredits the training provided by the many universities across the UK including undergraduate degrees, apprenticeships and pre-registration masters. 
Find out about a career in podiatry
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