What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a professional leader in foot health care. He or she treats people with foot complaints and foot-related complaints. It generally concerns pain and / or discomfort in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and / or back. Podiatrists also provide preventive advice and treat abnormal toe positions and (serious) skin and nail disorders that may not be treated by a (medical) pedicure.

With regard to the field of podiatry, podiatrists are the only professionals with a Higher Professional Education, with a Bachelor’s degree. The title Podiatrist is a title protected by law. All this is described in Article 34 of the BIG Act. Podiatrists must meet a number of quality requirements and can register in the Paramedics Quality Register.

With which complaints can you go to the podiatrist??

In fact, anyone with pain complaints or difficulties at his or her feet or arising from those feet is at the right place at the podiatrist. A podiatrist treats people with foot complaints and / or complaints that are caused by abnormal functioning of the foot (s), an abnormal foot position and / or an abnormal gait pattern. It generally concerns pain and / or discomfort in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and / or back.

The main treatments of a podiatrist consist of making corrective insoles or an orthosis. VoetPortaal’s podiatrists regularly apply manual therapy to the feet. The purpose of these treatments is to eliminate, reduce or compensate for complaints.

In addition, podiatrists provide preventive advice and treat abnormal toe positions and (serious) skin and nail disorders that may not be treated by a (medical) pedicure. For example, a custom-made bracket is placed in the case of ingrowing nails. Deep corns can be removed and, if possible, the cause of pressure and friction is removed (possibly by means of aids).

A podiatrist treats wounds and screens diabetic feet to prevent problems with the feet.

In short, the therapist treats the following complaints:

• Deformities of the joints of the feet, including the toes and nails
• Problems elsewhere in the body, caused by an abnormal foot position or an abnormal gait (knee, hip, back)
• Complaints as a result of overload or pressure distribution in the foot
• Fatigue complaints
• Specific foot problems in children
• Sports injuries
• Skin and nail disorders
• Complaints in high-risk patients, such as vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and rheumatism (such as open wounds / ulcers and nail problems)

Do I need a referral?

In 2011, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport decided to make podiatry directly accessible to patients. This means that a referral from a doctor or specialist is no longer necessary for a visit to the podiatrist.
However, our podiatrists – who are all certified for Direct Accessibility Podiatry (DTP) – will conduct a short screening during the first visit. During this screening, the podiatrist will ask some questions to estimate whether you have come to the right place for your complaints at the podiatrist.

If you come with a referral from your doctor or specialist, this has already been determined by them and the investigation of your complaints will start immediately. In that case, take the referral with you to your first appointment.