The highs, lows and opportunities in podiatry

I truly believe podiatry is an under-recognised and under-utilised profession. We know that foot pain and immobility can set off a chain reaction which can contribute to weight gain, mental health challenges, cardiovascular problems, and stopping people from doing the things they love.

When we help someone to move with less pain, we’re not just looking after their feet. We’re supporting their whole health and wellbeing to help them stay active, manage their weight, feel encouraged, and reach their goals.

Our patients are often so grateful, and it’s a privilege to be part of that journey.  We’re lucky to work in such a rewarding field. The more we share what we do, the more people will understand the vital role podiatrists play in health care.

Sometimes patients feel stuck in a cycle. For example, someone who is overweight with foot pain may be trying really hard to exercise but can still find this difficult, since their feet hurt. This cycle can be frustrating. If it hangs around enough, it can be tough knowing where to start.

As podiatrists, we have an important role to play in breaking this cycle. By supporting people to move pain-free, whether walking or running, we open the door for them to make progress in so many other areas of their health. That first step towards mobility can transform confidence and quality of life.

Many people still think podiatrists only look after feet, when in reality we treat the foot, ankle, and lower limb. It’s up to us to help change this perception through patient education, community awareness, and collaboration with other health professionals. When we work closely with physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and other practitioners, our care is more holistic and our patients benefit from a stronger support network.

Areas of special interest often develop over time. It’s a bit of a balancing act — gaining experience across different areas before finding the niche you’re most passionate about. In our practice, we see many runners, and over time we’ve built a reputation for our focus in this area. Having specialised equipment and expertise has strengthened our connection with the community and allowed us to provide even better care.

At its heart, podiatry is about helping people. I’ve enjoyed every area of this profession. For me, this journey has come full circle. I’ve worked in aged care, disability, paediatrics, Aboriginal and rural health, home visits, and sports.

These days, I work mostly with runners — something I’ve always loved. But I deeply admire colleagues, like Dr Peta Tehan, who find their own unique passion and make incredible contributions to the profession.

In many ways, podiatry is already a specialty profession. Most podiatrists in general practice are skilled across so many areas — from diabetes management to sports injuries. Whether it’s helping someone in a nursing home with an ingrown toenail, supporting a patient with diabetes to be more active, or helping a young person with arthritis to enjoy sport – podiatrists change lives every day through foot health.

If I could encourage podiatrists to do a few things, here’s what I’d say. It would be to keep learning and stay curious and engaged. Do what works for you, whether that’s through further course upskilling, podcasts like Pod Chat Live, journals, or mentoring. Also, look after yourself. Whether you’re a clinician or a business owner, try to remember to prioritise your work-life balance to benefit you, your team and your patients. And stay connected – make time to attend a conference with your old uni mates and colleagues. These connections keep the profession together, and help to keep us energised and inspired.

The biggest challenge of my career came in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. An athlete I’d been treating asked me to step in as his coach and take over his overall load management. He had struggled with ongoing injuries for nearly two years, and I helped him return from a sesamoid stress fracture. He trusted that looking after his lower limb was central to his Olympic dream.

The catch was, we had only 16 months to prepare. He was a Modern Pentathlete, which meant managing training loads across fencing, shooting, swimming, running, and horse riding — all while coordinating with his specialist coaches and travelling with him to key events. He had multiple sessions a day and a string of setbacks – including the sesamoid injury, tennis elbow, nasal surgery, calf strain, and a bicep tear – to name a few. This meant that every week required careful planning and the skills that only a podiatrist has in overall load management.

At times, this meant diplomatically negotiating with other coaches to reduce sessions in one discipline to focus on another, or allow an injury to heal. We had to identify his weakest events, based on the points system and adjust training accordingly, all while ensuring his body could hold up. In the end, he achieved the remarkable feat of winning a quota spot for the Olympics but unfortunately, he wasn’t selected to compete. Supporting him to reach that point was the high point of my career but helping him navigate the crushing disappointment of missing out was the lowest point.

Another patient I’ll never forget came to me after a stroke, which left him with foot drop. At first, his foot was the least of his worries — but as he recovered, it became the thing that held him back. He tripped often, had to lift his whole leg awkwardly just to clear the ground, and developed hip and back pain from the way he was compensating. We trialled an ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) in clinic, which he loved right away. After a month, combined with strength work, he was walking without tripping, moving more freely, and had very little pain. Best of all, he regained his confidence and developed a more positive outlook.

It’s stories like these that remind us podiatry is about so much more than feet. One of the most rewarding aspects of podiatry is being able to draw on a wide range of skills to help just one individual. It’s about restoring movement, independence, and joy in everyday life. I couldn’t be prouder to be a podiatrist and play my part in this.