Podiatry & Chiropody

 

Podiatry and Chiropody are the branches of health care that focus on the medical treatment of conditions & disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremity.

 

They are independent practitioners, and patients may seek their advice and treatment without a doctor’s referral, by contacting the clinic directly for an appointment.

 

Podiatrists cover a wide scope of practice including:

 

  • General foot care advice
  • Minor skin and nail surgery under local anaesthetic
  • Assessment, advice and treatment of lower limb complications associated with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s and HIV
  • Biomechanics and sports injuries - concerned with preservation, restoration and development of the function of the foot and its associated structure. Biomechanics refers to the use of mechanical methods in the diagnosis and treatment of the function of the foot and the lower limb. There are many biomechanical investigations podiatrists use to help them assess and evaluate the patients they treat.
  • Orthotic and insole therapy – The podiatrist can prescribe a wide range of special insoles and orthotics (made from taking a casted impression of your foot) to help reduce discomfort, correct biomechanical anomalies, restore foot function and prevent and rehabilitate injuries
  • Podiatric physical therapy – Includes manual manipulation, strapping and taping and electrotherapies such as ultrasound to help with the management of pain and inflammation
  • Nail Care - Treatment and Cutting of normal toenails, Thickened and fungal nails also treatment of Ingrown toenails including a package for Nail surgery.
  • Skin Care - Treatment of Athletes foot (fungal skin) Hard and callused skin, corns and verrucas
  • Education and advice - In diabetic foot care and annual diabetic foot screening as required by Government's National institute of clinical excellence. Advice on self care and footwear.

 

The practitioners work closely with other health professionals such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, sports therapists, GP's and consultants to ensure that conditions are managed appropriately in a multidisciplinary environment and will cross refer as necessary.

 

Common conditions treated by podiatrists and chiropodists are:

• Arch pain
• Heel pain
• General foot strain
• “Flat feet”
• “High arches”
• Bunions
• Achilles tendon pain
• Gout and arthritis
• Limb length discrepancy
• Ankle injuries and pain
• Tendon and joint pain
• Infections
• In growing toenails
• Thickened and fungal nails
• Athletes Foot
• Corns
• Hard, callused skin
• Verrucas

In addition pain and injuries of the knee, groin, lower back and hip may actually be as a result of a biomechanical anomaly in the foot, and the podiatrist works with other professionals such as physiotherapists to manage these conditions.

 

Experts: Gordon Jarvie and Erin Lee