Maczko Chiropody &
Orthotic Clinic

A Chiropodist (pronounced, Kir-op-o-dist) is a health care professional who provides comprehensive treatment of various foot disorders and, encourages their prevention. A Chiropodist must be licensed by the College of Chiropodists to be eligible to practice in Ontario. Examples of the wide range of foot ailments that a Chiropodist treats includes:

• Management of persons with underlying medical disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, peripheral vascular diseases etc. Many of these persons maybe classified as "high risk" due to complications which may manifest themselves in the lower limbs, such as poor circulation
• Treatment of dermatological conditions such as plantar warts or athletes foot and fungal nails.
• Treatment and management of painful conditions such as calluses, corns and nail disorders, including permanent nail surgery.
• Provision of care for persons who are disabled or cannot reach their feet due to medical conditions.
• Assessment and management of biomechanical dysfunction (structural imbalances) and deformities.
• The prescription and manufacture of custom orthotics (devices worn in shoes to improve or correct foot function and comfort), custom footwear; orthopedic footwear, braces etc.
• Foot health education for all age groups.
• As part of the health care team a Chiropodist will liaison with other medical practitioners and refer when appropriate.

Chiropodists work both in private clinics as well as in health care facilities such as hospital. In private clinics the patient must pay for the services they receive. In hospitals the services are usually free of charge, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health.

Many of the services/treatments provided by Chiropodists are covered by: extended medical insurances; W.S.I.B., First Nations/Health Canada and Veterans Affairs.

Bluewater Health closed the only publicly funded chiropody service in Sarnia/ Lambton in March 2007.