Frequently Asked Questions2023-06-28T16:05:24-04:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the questions we are asked most often. If you don’t see your question listed here, or the answer we’ve provided doesn’t quite satisfy your needs, please get in touch with us. Your inquiries are welcomed! Feel free to search our blog for additional information too by entering your query in the search bar.

You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers!

We’re experts in the art of communication. Our job isn’t done until you are entirely comfortable with our consultation, assessment, treatment options, and foot care!

In Canada, chiropody/podiatry are interchangeable terms defined as “the treatment and prevention of disease or disorders of the foot by therapeutic or orthotic means.” Chiropodists/podiatrists undergo extensive training, and many have taken seven or eight years of post-secondary school training before beginning to practice. They are the only regulated foot professionals educated exclusively in the assessment and treatment of foot disorders.
No, referrals are not required. However, feel free to ask your family physician to write a referral for you if it will help in communicating with us. We have provided many doctors in the area with referral pads to easily and effectively communicate their recommendations to our clinic.

Yes! Booking an appointment allows us to ensure that a proper assessment and treatment can be completed, all of your needs are taken care of, and your questions answered. Contact us to book an appointment.

Your first appointment is a combination of consultation and treatment. A medical history and consent form is completed by the patient and reviewed with the Chiropodist. A complete examination and assessment of your feet are conducted, looking for and checking:

  • lesions – corns, calluses, warts, moles, wounds, ulcers
  • range of motion/gait analysis (foot function), circulation, sensation, colour
  • digital photos of both your feet are taken

The chiropodist will present treatment options and discuss them, along with your questions answered and the next steps decided.

Routine foot care is most often covered by Extended Health Insurance – under the heading Paramedical Services. Most insurance policies allow for $500 per calendar or benefit year for chiropody/podiatry services.

In short, the answer is YES! Werkman, Boven & Associates follows all required precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that is recommended by Health Canada and The College of Chiropodists of Ontario. See our COVID-19 Page to see the latest updates on our policies.

Our Chiropodists are trained to deal with foot health emergencies daily. We are equipped to treat all types of foot health emergencies. If a foot fracture is suspected, we can provide you with a walking cast on site. If an infection is suspected, we can provide a prescription for antibiotics without having to go to the emergency room or see your family doctor. Suppose a foreign body or ingrown toenail is present. In that case, we can provide treatment to clear the foreign body or nail spike and provide local anesthesia or surgical removal on-site if required.

You can contact us by phone, email, or use our Appointment Request form, and a member of our team will set up an appointment with you to assess your concern and provide treatment.

No! You do not have to pay for parking. We offer free parking outside our office. We are conveniently located on Cornwall Road, east of Trafalgar between Morrison Road and Maple Grove Drive on the north side of the street at 1295 Cornwall Road, Unit A1, Oakville, ON L6J 7T5.

Yes! We are located in a fully accessible building with easy access for those with wheelchairs, scooters or walkers.
Yes! We will call, email, or send an SMS to you the day before your appointment.

Yes, we do. It is essential for patients living with Diabetes to pay proper attention to their feet as problems may occur due to either circulation or nerve changes. We provide comprehensive Diabetic footcare and education, including the treatment of foot ulcers and wounds. Kaitlin Boven (nee: Werkman) has her Masters in Diabetes and is especially well-equipped to assess and treat any concerns you may have with your feet concerning Diabetes.

Typically, foot ulcer and wound care management consist of wound evaluation, debridement, topical antibiotics, appropriate dressings, footwear advice, and padding, insoles or orthotics. In addition, Chiropodist Kaitlin Boven (nee: Werkman) has completed training on Total Contact Casting (TCC), a casting technique used to heal Diabetic foot ulcers, with reported healing rates of about 90% in 6 weeks. It works by redistributing weight off of your foot ulcer so it can heal. People living with diabetes are especially prone to developing ulcers. It is vital to treat foot injuries right away. Do you have any questions or suspect you may have an ulcer? Don’t let your foot condition worsen. Please give our office a call and have it assessed by a professional.

Yes. If you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, contact our office to book an appointment for a consultation and treatment with one of our chiropodists, J. Richard Werkman, D.Ch., B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine, or Kaitlin Boven (nee: Werkman), B.Sc. Podiatry, MSc Diabetes Student. Rick and Kaitlin are licensed for Nail Surgery and Local Anesthesia. Rick is also licensed for Injections to the foot. When it’s time to look for a permanent solution to your persistent ingrown toenails, look no further than the Werkman, Boven Foot & Orthotic Clinic here in Oakville.

No. Unfortunately, OHIP does not cover Chiropody services. Chiropody is similar to services provided by other health care professionals such as Registered Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Chiropractors, to name a few. However, many Extended Health Insurance plans offered by employers cover Chiropody fees. Check your coverage. Official receipts are always provided for insurance reimbursement or income tax purposes.

No. We strongly recommend determining your eligibility for coverage by reviewing your plan and contacting your insurance provider or your HR department. You can often find our services listed within your explanation of benefits booklet under the heading Paramedical Services. Custom-made prescription orthotics are usually listed under the heading Medical Equipment or Orthopaedic Supplies. We provide official receipts for insurance reimbursement or income tax purposes.

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