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This is one of those questions people usually ask quietly.

Not because it’s silly, but because it feels awkward. You’re already in pain, maybe your foot has been bothering you for months, and now you’re also unsure if you’re even seeing the right professional.

We hear this a lot in clinic.

“Are you an actual doctor?”
“Should I have gone to a GP first?”
“My friend said podiatrists aren’t real doctors, is that true?”

So let’s answer it properly. No medical jargon. No confusing titles. Just an honest explanation.

Yes, a podiatrist is a proper doctor. But understanding why requires clearing up what the word “doctor” really means in healthcare.

Why This Question Even Comes Up

Most people grow up thinking there’s only one type of doctor. The GP. The hospital doctor. The person with a stethoscope who treats everything.

So when someone introduces themselves as a podiatrist, it naturally raises a question.

“If they’re not a GP, what exactly are they?”

That confusion doesn’t come from a lack of qualification. It comes from the way healthcare is structured. We don’t always do a good job explaining roles to patients.

And foot problems sit in a strange space. They’re medical, but people often underestimate how complex feet actually are.

Until pain sets in.

What a Podiatrist Actually Is

A podiatrist is a medical professional who specialises only in the feet, ankles, and lower limbs.

Not part-time. Not as a side interest. That is their entire focus.

Everything they study, diagnose, and treat revolves around:

• How the foot is built

• How it moves

• How it bears weight

• How problems develop over time

• How foot issues affect the rest of the body

So while a GP knows a little about everything, a podiatrist knows a lot about one area. And that depth matters more than people realise.

Especially when pain keeps coming back.

Does “Doctor” Only Mean GP or Surgeon?

This is where most confusion starts.

In healthcare, “doctor” doesn’t only mean someone with an MBBS degree. It refers to someone who has completed advanced medical education, clinical training, and is registered to diagnose and treat health conditions.

Dentists are doctors.
Physiotherapists are healthcare doctors.
Podiatrists fall into the same professional category.

A podiatrist is not pretending to be a GP. They’re not replacing your family doctor. They are a specialist doctor in foot health.

Different role. Same legitimacy.

The Training Behind a Podiatrist

In Australia, podiatrists don’t take shortcuts.

To become registered, a podiatrist must complete:

• A university degree in podiatry

• Extensive supervised clinical training

• Ongoing professional development

• Registration with the national health regulator, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

That registration matters. It means podiatrists are legally recognised healthcare professionals, held to national medical standards, and accountable for patient safety.

They don’t just “treat feet”. They diagnose conditions, make clinical decisions, and manage long-term problems.

What Can a Podiatrist Diagnose?

This is another area where people underestimate podiatry.

A podiatrist doesn’t just look at the foot and guess.

They take a full medical history.
They assess movement and posture.
They examine joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
They identify patterns, not just symptoms.

Some of the most common conditions podiatrists diagnose include:

• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendon injuries

• Stress fractures

• Arthritis in the foot and ankle

• Ingrown toenails

• Nail infections

• Flat feet and high arches

• Sports injuries

• Diabetic foot complications

And importantly, they know when something is not a simple foot problem and needs referral.

That judgment comes from training, not guesswork.

Why GPs Often Refer to Podiatrists

If podiatrists weren’t proper doctors, GPs wouldn’t rely on them.

In real practice, GPs regularly refer patients to podiatrists because they recognise the limits of general medicine when it comes to foot mechanics and chronic foot pain.

A GP might identify that the pain is in your heel.
A podiatrist identifies why it’s there.

That difference changes outcomes.

This is why many people in Perth end up seeing a podiatrist after months of discomfort that didn’t improve with basic treatment.

Can You See a Podiatrist Without a Referral?

Yes. In most cases, you don’t need a referral at all.

If you’re dealing with foot pain, nail issues, or lower limb problems, you can book directly with a podiatrist in Perth.

Some Medicare plans and chronic disease management plans may involve GP referrals, but from a clinical standpoint, podiatrists are first-contact practitioners.

That means they are qualified to assess you from the start.

What About Foot Surgery?

This is another area that surprises people.

Some podiatrists go on to complete advanced surgical training and become podiatric surgeons. These professionals focus entirely on surgical treatment of foot conditions.

That includes:

• Bunion surgery

• Ingrown toenail surgery

• Toe deformity correction

• Forefoot and rearfoot procedures

Their surgical pathway is different from orthopaedic surgeons, but their focus is narrower and highly specialised.

Not every podiatrist is a surgeon, but every podiatric surgeon starts as a podiatrist. That foundation gives them a deep understanding of foot mechanics before surgery is ever considered.

Why Foot Problems Are Often Misjudged

Feet are complicated.

They contain:

• 26 bones

• Dozens of joints

• Layers of muscle, tendon, and ligament

• Nerves that affect balance and movement

When something goes wrong, pain doesn’t always show up where the problem started. That’s why heel pain might actually come from tight calves, or knee pain might be linked to foot posture.

This complexity is exactly why podiatry exists as a separate medical field.

A podiatrist isn’t just treating pain. They’re treating how your body moves.

Common Misunderstandings We Hear in Clinic

We hear a few things over and over again.

“I thought this was just part of getting older.”
“I didn’t think foot pain was a medical issue.”
“I assumed I needed surgery straight away.”
“I didn’t realise a podiatrist could help with this.”

Most of the time, early treatment could have prevented months or years of discomfort.

That’s not because people ignored their health. It’s because they didn’t know who the right doctor was.

Why Seeing a Podiatrist First Often Makes Sense

If your issue is clearly foot-related, seeing a podiatrist early can save time.

Instead of bouncing between appointments, a podiatrist can:

• Diagnose the issue accurately

• Start targeted treatment

• Manage recovery and prevention

• Refer you if surgery or imaging is needed

For people dealing with ongoing pain, that clarity matters.

Especially when walking becomes uncomfortable.

Choosing the Right Podiatrist in Perth

Not all podiatry clinics are the same.

Some focus more on general care.
Some focus on sports injuries.
Some work closely with surgical centres.

When choosing a podiatrist in Perth, it helps to look for:

• Experience with your specific issue

• Clear explanations, not rushed appointments

• A focus on long-term outcomes

• Honest advice about treatment options

A good podiatrist won’t push treatment you don’t need. They’ll explain what’s happening and why.

So, Is a Podiatrist a Proper Doctor?

Yes. And more importantly, they’re the right doctor for foot and ankle problems.

A podiatrist is a registered medical professional with specialised training in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect how you walk, stand, and move every day.

If your feet are affecting your quality of life, seeing a podiatrist in Perth isn’t settling for less care. It’s choosing focused care.

Your feet carry you through everything. They deserve attention from someone who understands them properly.