Some of you may have been following our posts on our social media channels around the theme of careers week. Today, we interviewed our fabulous chiropodist and podiatrist, Elise Butler on her career as a podiatrist. Read it here:

What did you want to do when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a nurse or that’s what I told people but if I’m honest, my secret wish was to be a GP. I completed the entrance test to start nursing as a mature student and passed it, however we were renovating our house and decided we couldn’t exist on a bursary and pay for the renovation. That then was put on a back burner until three gorgeous bouncy baby girls came along and as my husband worked shifts, I needed a part time job for school drop offs etc. I then entered the world of finance and administration.

Why did you become a podiatrist?

I knew my interest in medicine etc., had never left me and as the girls grew, so did my lack of job satisfaction. The shift work in nursing was no longer an option and I couldn’t decide what to do until my first steps into complementary medicine took shape and my interest in reflexology. I trained for a year with the International Institute in Reflexology and once qualified, started my own sideline business; I did starter sessions at the local church and home visits. That familiar feeling of job dissatisfaction loomed again and one Friday afternoon, I sat and pondered. I realised I’d been fascinated by people’s feet, how they differed and listening to people complaining of foot pain. Maybe podiatry was the answer!!!

What prerequisites do you need to study podiatry?

• At least five GCSEs, including English language, maths, and a science subject.
• Three A levels (or equivalent), including a biological science
• Between 96–120 UCAS points

What was your pathway into podiatry?

Podiatry satisfied my interest in medicine and reflexology in complementary medicine. I quickly rang the university and explained my situation; they couldn’t accept my reflexology course as an access course (it was accredited the following year) and offered me two options of distance learning. I opted for Oldham College with an access course in anatomy, physiology and pathology and scored 92% in December of that year. My interview at the university was in February 2014 and I started in the September doing it part time over 4-5 years whilst also working for Bradford NHS trust as a podiatry assistant. I qualified with a first class honours degree in podiatry in 2018 and continued to be employed by Bradford until switching to Leeds NHS in 2020.

What is the best thing about being a podiatrist?

I can honestly say it was the best choice I have made, and I thoroughly enjoy my work. It helps if you can engage with people as 30 minutes with a patient, you do get to hear some interesting tales. The job satisfaction is huge, there are not many roles where patients can walk into your clinics in pain and walk out again pain free. Whether that is offloading the pain using your biomechanical skills or enucleating a corn, it is very satisfying, People love you for it!! They also refer to you sometimes as a foot doctor which then goes back to my earlier days when I wanted to be a GP and it gives me a buzz.

The job roles within podiatry are varied, I work as a Foot & Ankle Specialist Podiatrist within the NHS and privately at Castle Clinic doing routine foot care, biomechanical assesments, nail surgery using local anaesthesia and so on. I have also treated a lot of high risk patients who have conditions such as diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which can have a huge impact on their feet. Podiatrists are an essential part of their treatment as they can identify and manage complications from these diseases including nerve damage, poor circulation and joint issues. Podiatrists are crucial in keeping the numbers of amputations low due to their preventative treatment and advice.

If I weren’t a podiatrist, what would you be doing instead?

If I hadn’t completed the course, I think I would have completed further training within the financial services, I do enjoy working with numbers and that was my other option at the time. Overall, I made the correct choice though.

Do I have any interesting, unusual or funny stories from your time as a podiatrist?

Life is never dull as a podiatrist.  Interesting tales: I’ve found myself communicating to patients through cuddy toys, being a counsellor and listening to peoples worries and anxieties, reassuring patients.

Do you know any podiatry jokes?

A few. How about:

Person 1: “My father was a podiatrist”.
Person 2 : :You’re just like your dad”.
Person 1: “Yeah i followed in his footsteps”.

Q: What’s the difference between a Baker and a Podiatrist?
A: One feels the heat, the other heals the feet.

My new podiatrist doesn’t know his right from his left.
Needless to say, we started off on the wrong foot.