Specialist treatment for your foot problems

 

At some point everyone needs to pay attention to their foot health, particularly as we get older. Conditions such as arthritis, poor circulation and diabetes can affect the feet as well as more common skin and nail ailments.

 

Entrust your feet with a qualified therapist with the skills and resources to aid your condition. We can supply supports and other devices to aid relief and promote healing and correction.

​

 

Common conditions we treat:

 

Callus/Corns/Cracked skin

An area of skin that has been rubbed or put under pressure. Dead skin cells accumulate and become thick.  Over time these areas can become painful. If the skin is especially dry the hard skin can become cracked which is also often painful.  This can be a risk factor for infection in some patient groups such as diabetics and those with reduced immunity.

 

Atheletes Foot/Fungal Nails

Fungal infections normally begin in the skin, often between the toes as an inflammed, peely, itchy condition.  This then spreads throughout all the skin and sometimes into the nail.  A fungal nail appears discoloured, thick and distorted.

 

Ingrown Toenails

A potentially very painful condition caused by the toenail cutting into the skin at the side which becomes red, swollen and tender.  This can be due to a variety of reasons and can vary in severity.

 

Toenail Deformity

As we get older our toenails can become thick, discoloured and generally more difficult to manage.  Although this can sometimes be attributed to a fungal infection it is not the only cause and often cannot be cured but easily maintained.

 

Verrucas

A wart-like lesion that looks like an area of hard skin.  Verrucas are caused by a viral infection, an invasion of the Human Papilloma Virus. Depending on where they are on the foot and their size, determines how painful they can be.

 

Foot/Heel pain and Biomechanical Assessment

A number of different things can contribute to foot pain. Eg existing medical conditions, foot structure, the way we walk, injury etc.  The vast majority of these can be improved with a mix and match approach of advice including rest, stretches, insole and/or orthotic therapy.

 

The foot is a complex structure of 28 different bones, 214 ligaments and 38 muscles, bearing our body weight as we walk every day. A biomechanical assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of any underlying problems in the lower limbs.  It can be very beneficial if you are experiencing pain in your feet but no cause has been established. A biomechanical assessment will look at the structure, alignment, strengths and weaknesses of the lower limb and tell us what treatment is needed or whether further investigations are necessary.

 

There are many different types of recommended treatments following a biomechanical assessment, depending upon your needs. For people who have good structural foot mechanics, the podiatrist will advise on the best footwear in order to reduce the risk of foot problems. Simple changes such as wearing trainers designed for your gait or wearing insoles can be very effective.

 

If the podiatrist believes that your mechanics could be contributing to your injury or pain, insoles or custom made orthotics will be prescribed.

 

Diabetic Feet

Diabetics can have reduced circulation and sensation potentially leading to serious complications. As a diabetic it is important to seek help quickly if you suspect a problem and to maintain a programme of regular check ups.

 

Arthritic Feet

Both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause foot problems.  This which maybe due to the deformity eg bunions, hammer toes and excessive shoe pressure leading to corns and callus. Alternatively you can get pain from the disease process itself or a reduced amount of joint movement changing the way we walk.

 

Elderly Feet

As we get older our joints wear out, circulation slows, skin becomes thin, protective fat cushions reduce and our ability to bend to reach and ability to see our feet also reduce.  All this often means it becomes more difficult to care for our own feet and needs the help of a professional.