Life in Singapore often keeps us active, whether it is a morning run at East Coast Park, an afternoon of shopping along Orchard Road, or a leisurely walk through the historic black and white houses at Medway Park. Because our feet carry us through all these moments, even minor discomfort can quickly make daily activities harder and less enjoyable. Overlooking these signs often comes with a price, as pain that seems bearable today might lead to more serious issues in the future. This is where podiatry comes in.
So, what is podiatry exactly? Podiatry is a specialised branch of healthcare that focuses on the feet and lower limbs. In Singapore, it is recognised as part of the allied health profession and can be found in both public and private settings. The focus is on prevention, early attention and long-term support for lower limb health, helping people stay mobile and active. With this understanding in place, the next question is what does a podiatrist do and how can they help you with your foot concerns?
A podiatrist is an allied healthcare professional who specialises in caring for your lower limbs. They are trained to examine, diagnose, and manage a wide range of concerns such as heel pain, flat feet, sports injuries, skin and toenail problems, as well as diabetes-related foot conditions. In everyday language, a podiatrist is sometimes referred to as a foot doctor, reflecting their role in keeping you comfortable and mobile.
Beyond identifying what is wrong, podiatrists also focus on how to manage and prevent future issues. They often start with conservative and evidence-based methods, guiding you on the best ways to maintain healthy foot care through footwear advice, exercises, and lifestyle adjustments. When conditions are more complex, they might work with specialists to provide coordinated treatment. In this way, podiatrists support recovery and long-term mobility, helping you stay active, independent, and confident in your daily life.
Foot problems often start small, but if they are ignored, they can interfere with daily routines and make movement difficult. Knowing when to visit a podiatrist is the best way to prevent these issues from getting worse and to keep your mobility steady.
Some of the common reasons people visit a podiatry clinic include:
Seeing a podiatrist early can make management easier and help you return to daily life with less disruption. And if your movement is already limited, it’s practical to choose a podiatry clinic near you so that getting the right help is less of a strain.
A podiatrist is trained to assess and manage conditions that affect the lower limbs. During a consultation, they will ask about your health history, footwear, and activity levels before carrying out physical checks and diagnostic tests. They’ll look at how you stand and walk, examine problem areas, and then design a care plan that suits your needs. Their goal is to support comfort, mobility, and long-term foot care for patients of all ages.
Podiatrists manage a wide spectrum of lower limb concerns. These include musculoskeletal issues like bunions, heel or ankle pain, sprains, and fractures. They also handle toenail problems such as fungal infections, ingrown nails, and trauma, along with soft tissue conditions like plantar warts as well as corns and calluses. Inflammatory problems, including gout, are also within their scope.
You should consider seeing a podiatrist if pain, swelling, or stiffness in your lower limbs is affecting your daily routine. Signs like recurring ankle or heel pain, injuries that do not heal well, or changes in the way you walk are strong indicators that input from a podiatrist could help. Persistent skin and nail issues such as corns, calluses, plantar warts, fungal skin infections, or ingrown toenails also warrant attention.
Most of the time, podiatrists focus on conservative approaches, but they are also able to perform minor surgical procedures when needed. These can involve removing corns, calluses, or plantar warts, draining small abscesses caused by infections, or carrying out procedures such as partial toenail avulsion.
Podiatrists often recommend procedures that do not require surgery. These can include customised insoles or orthotics to improve alignment and reduce pressure. In cases where more advanced care is needed, techniques such as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) might be applied to encourage healing and reduce pain.