Chiropody is a branch of healthcare focused on diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and disorders of the foot and ankle. Chiropodists, also known as foot specialists, are regulated health care providers that help people of all ages maintain healthy feet and mobility. They provide a range of services including basic and urgent foot care, prescribing orthotics and providing diabetic foot and nail care, wound care treatment, corn and callus reduction, as well as community education programs.
“Our feet do a lot for us – they carry us through our daily routines, support our movements and help us stay active,” explains Salman Alman, South Riverdale Community Health Centre’s (SRCHC) chiropodist. “Most of us don’t often think about our feet – even though they are so foundational to our overall health. Foot problems, such as diabetic foot ulcers or fissures, can affect overall well-being, making daily activities difficult and uncomfortable.”
As an essential part of our integrated primary care team, Salman works at SRCHC’s 955 Queen St E site alongside other healthcare professionals, such as diabetes nurse educators and health promoters, to provide comprehensive primary care often to high-risk clients with diabetes. “With proper footwear and footcare, we can prevent so many bad things from happening, including nerve damage, poor circulation and even amputation,” continues Salman. “In fact, working as team of care providers, we have delivered wound care to 402 clients through 2347 encounters between 2020 and 2023, effectively preventing amputations by managing complex wounds before they could lead to severe complications.”
In addition to providing foot care, Salman is on a provincial working group focused on improving client experiences, health outcomes and identifying ways to lower healthcare system costs by preventing complications. Recently, this working group, along with the Diabetes Education Registered Nurses at SRCHC – who have screened over 300 clients and referred over 70 clients to the Downtown East Toronto Ontario Health Team (OHT) Lower Limb Preservation Pathway – received recognition and additional funding from the OHT. This funding will support the development and distribution of 600 footcare packages for clients with diabetes, including gift cards for footwear, along with diabetic socks, lotions and other useful supplies. These packages will provide much-needed support for clients experiencing homelessness, who are living with low incomes, and have limited access to foot care supplies.
SRCHC is proud to be at the forefront of evidence-informed foot care and to expand our impact on client health and wellbeing through comprehensive chiropody services. While foot care is often overlooked, we are committed to making it a priority in our communities and ensuring that it is accessible, particularly for those at high-risk and facing complex health challenges.