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Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a podiatrist
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a podiatrist
Choosing the right career is a crucial decision with far-reaching consequences. It shapes your future, making it essential to make an informed choice.
Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with businesspeople, professionals, and other key figures, focusing on a different career each week.
Our goal is to offer valuable guidance to younger readers navigating their career paths. This week, we explore the career of podiatry.
Xolisile Siluma has been a podiatrist for 12 years.
'I always wanted to do something in the medical field. I fell in love with podiatry after attending a university open day. Many of my family members had amputations, and I wanted to be in a position to help prevent that,' she says.
What she enjoys most about her profession is the flexibility it offers.
'I love that I can choose my working hours and environments, and that I bring smiles to people's faces every day.'
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What is podiatry?
Podiatry is a healthcare programme that deals with assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot and lower limb.
What work does a podiatrist do?
Patient consultation and treatment of conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, wounds, foot pain, flat foot, high arched feet and knee, hip and lower back pain from gait abnormalities.
What subjects do I need in high school to study podiatry?
• Physical science: 50%;
• Mathematics: 50%;
• Life sciences: 50%;
• English: 60%.
One must complete a National Benchmark Test before admission.
Which universities offer podiatry courses?
Only one in South Africa currently – the University of Johannesburg.
What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopaedic surgeon?
Orthopaedic surgeons treat conditions surgically. A podiatrist's treatments are usually conservative. They only manage minor surgical procedures, such as removing nails.
Do I first need to complete a medical degree to become a podiatrist?
No, one does not need to complete a medical degree first. It is a four-year undergraduate degree.
Are there scholarships or bursaries available for podiatry students?
Yes, mainly offered by the Gauteng Department of Health. People who did not meet the requirements for a bursary can apply to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
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What are the daily duties of a podiatrist?
• Assess and diagnose foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions (flat feet, bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot issues);
• Treat minor injuries and infections (fungal infections, corns, calluses, warts);
• Prescribe orthotics (custom insoles) and footwear advice to support posture and correct gait issues;
• Wound care, especially for high-risk patients (diabetics with ulcers or poor circulation);
• Perform minor surgical procedures, such as nail avulsions (removing part or all of a toenail). Removing foreign bodies or cysts;
• Refer patients to specialists when needed (example: vascular surgeons, dermatologists);
If you work in the public sector, you are also responsible for administrative tasks, such as compiling statistics and preparing reports. At the district level, you might be required to provide services to community-based organisations and NGOs like crèches, old-age homes, and similar facilities.
Can podiatrists perform surgery?
Only minor surgical procedures, such as nail wedge resections and total nail avulsions.
What are the working environments for podiatrists?
They can work in public and private sectors, in:
• hospitals;
• clinics;
• medical centres;
• old-age homes.
Companies: Primarily those with employees required to wear safety boots, such as in industrial, construction or manufacturing settings.
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What soft skills are important for a successful career?
• Good communication skills;
• Fine motor skills;
• Microsoft (computer literate);
• People skills (be kind and empathetic);
• Active listening;
• Critical thinking and problem-solving;
• Attention to detail.
What are the pros and cons of the job?
Advantages: There are not many podiatrists out there, so you have opportunities to open your own business and make it a success.
Disadvantages: It is a growing profession that not everyone is aware of, so there must be much marketing when opening a practice.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
You need to love it to do it.
