Some DPMs do a higher/lower % routine clip and callus ("C&C") care than others. While that's usually based on training, it's also just based on what the patients in your area/office need. Keep in mind the saying "like refers like." If you do good work for a lot of sports med patient, guess who their friends probably are? Other athletes. If you treat a lot of diabetic patients well, they will probably refer fellow diabetics who they think you could help. If you treat a lot of geriatric nail patients? You guessed it.
If you want to refuse/refer or minimize your amount C&C patients, that's fine (and many pods do), but you are missing
regular income with very low lawsuit/complication risk. Not every patient will need an ankle fusion, skin graft, or Charcot recon, and if you do a reasonable amount of surgery, you have complications, and you will get sued. Sucks, but it's a fact of life.
One option is having "nail techs" (RN, med assist, etc who trim or file patient nails) if state laws permit it, but the patients still need complete eval by the podiatrist before/after the nail care. The "nail tech" function is often filled by students (sometimes residents), and while it seems "boring," it's a good way to practice your H&Ps and free up more time for the attendings or senior residents to see more patients, teach you, or show you other cases. That said, some clinics are basically just nails by the thousands with little/no other pathology, and that is kinda BS, IMO. If you see that happening regularly at a pod school clinic or residency clinic, think for awhile whether it's truly a "teaching clinic" or if it's a factory to make money for the attendings... and if you want that "training."
...there's alot of involvement with "nail" patients that many pre-meds and other folk don't appreciate. For example, aside from "trimming the nails", the DPM conducts a physical exam, and reviews the medical history of this patient ...
Nail care is part of
comprehensive foot and ankle care. A lot of patients who present for nail care also need good diabetic education, and the podiatrist's complete H&P often turns up other symptoms which need treatment, referral, or monitoring.
Being comprehensive is part of what makes podiatry interesting IMO. A F&A ortho could do the bone/joint procedures but would probably refer out most lower extremity wound care, derm conditions, or routine nail and callus care. A vasc surgeon or wound care specialist could evaluate lower extremity wounds and blood flow, but they wouldn't be correcting bony deformities, tendon tears, orthotics, etc. A dermatologist or infectous disease doc could treat skin/nail fungus or conditions, but they wouldn't mess with any major surgery, wound care, etc. A DPM with good training can take on any/all of the above. Comprehensive one stop shopping for F&A care.