Chiropody & Podiatry at St Judes Clinic in Leighton Buzzard, UK.
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Chiropody & Podiatry at St Judes Clinic.Chiropodists and Podiatrists specialize in assessing, diagnosing and treating abnormalities and diseases of the lower limb. They are trained to alleviate, prevent and correct these disorders and provide professional advice on proper foot care to patients of all ages and walks of life. Activities and services provided include:
The analysis of the biomechanics of gait (walking) identifies causative factors in lower limb or upper body problems. Correction may be via exercise prescription and/or the provision of orthotics (in-shoe devices which modify foot function and affect body mechanics). Many knee, hip and back problems can be associated with poor foot function affecting overall posture and stability. Callus and Corns When pressure on the foot becomes excessive, some areas of the skin thicken, in the form of corns and callus. It is the body's reaction to pressure or friction, and can appear anywhere the skin rubs against a bone, a shoe, or the ground. When this pressure becomes intense a corn may appear. You can control a small amount of hard skin by gently rubbing with a pumice stone when you are in the bath and by moisturising daily. If this does not work, seek advice from a podiatrist. Don't cut corns yourself, especially if you are elderly or diabetic. If the callus does not improve, or is painful, consult a podiatrist who will be able to advise you why this has occurred and, where possible, how to prevent it happening again. Your podiatrist can also remove hard skin, relieve pain, and redistribute pressure with padding, or corrective orthoses. Ingrown Toenails An ingrown toenail is one that pierces the flesh of the toe. It can feel as if you have a splinter, and can be extremely painful. In more severe cases it can cause pus and bleeding. They can be caused by trauma, poor nail cutting, inadequate footwear or poor foot function and structure. Firstly, learn to cut your nails properly. It's best to use nail nippers (available from chemists). Cut your nails straight across and don't cut too low at the edge or down the side. The corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. Also, cut them after a bath or shower when they're soft. If you've booked an appointment with a podiatrist, relieve the discomfort in the meantime by bathing your foot in a salty footbath and rest your foot as much as possible. If you have diabetes, are taking steroids or are on anti-coagulants, don't attempt to cut your nails or remove the ingrown spike of nail yourself. For the most basic painful and irritable ingrown toenail, your podiatrist will remove the offending spike of nail. In severe or persistent cases this may require minor surgery under a local anaesthetic, to permanently correct the problem. Heel pain When walking, your heels repeatedly hit the ground with considerable force. They have to be able to absorb the impact and provide a firm support for the weight of the body. When pain develops in the heel, it can be very disabling, making every step a problem, affecting your posture. Some of the most common causes are: heel Spurs, or plantar fasciitis: the pain is usually worst on standing, particularly first thing in the morning when you get up. It is relatively common, though usually occurring in the over forty's age group. There are no visible features on the heel but a deep localised painful spot can be found in or around the middle of the sole of the heel. Your podiatrist may suggest a course of deep heat therapy or ultrasound to stimulate the healing processes. They may prescribe orthoses to help the feet to function more effectively, thereby reducing strain on the ligaments and making any recurrence less likely. If pain from heel spurs continues, you may be referred to your GP who can prescribe an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or alternatively, localised hydrocortisone injection treatment may be given. Heel Bursitis Pain can be felt at the back of the heel when the ankle joint is moved and there may be a swelling on both sides of the Achilles tendon. Or you may feel pain deep inside the heel when it makes contact with the ground. In most cases, attention to the cause of any rubbing, and appropriate padding by your podiatrist will allow the inflammation to settle. If infection is present, they will refer you to your GP for antibiotics. Heel Bumps Bumps on the back of the heel that are often rubbed by shoes causing pain. Heel bumps are often a sign of poor foot function and are often treated by orthoses to improve foot function. Verrucae Verrucae are caused by a virus. This virus is contagious, but can only be caught by direct contact. It thrives in warm, moist environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and bathrooms. So if an infected bare foot walks across the poolside, it may release virus-infected cells onto the floor. If you then walk on the same floor, you can pick the virus up, they are harmless. However, they can cause a sharp, burning pain if you get one on a weight-bearing area such as the ball or the heel of the foot. Do not self-treat if you have diabetes or circulation problems. However, if you are fit and healthy, it's fine to treat yourself with over-the-counter medication and ointments. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If at any stage, your verruca becomes painful or the surrounding skin goes red, stop treatment immediately and see a podiatrist. Verrucae usually often disappear in time (fought off by your immune system); the general policy in the UK is to only treat them when they are causing pain. Verrucae generally resolve spontaneously within six months in children, but in adults, they can persist for years. Bunions / toe deformities The function of the toes, especially the big toe, is to help us balance, and to propel us forward during walking or running. The 14 bones of the toes are among the smallest in the body, and, not surprisingly, things can and often do go wrong. Some problems begin in childhood and may go unnoticed. Others begin later on in life, perhaps as the result of injury or the added pressure of incorrect footwear. What most people call a bunion is actually known as "Hallux valgus". This is a condition in which the big toe is angled excessively towards the second toe - and a bunion is a symptom of the deformity. They are more common in women than men and are often exacerbated by slip on or inadequate footwear. Pressure from the big toe joint can lead to a deformity in the joint of the second or other toes, this condition can also encourage corns and calluses to develop. Your podiatrist can recommend exercises, orthoses or shoe advice which may slow the progression of bunions in children. Orthoses are designed to prevent the problem getting worse by decreasing any biomechanical causes of bunions. Your podiatrist may refer you to a podiatric surgeon. A podiatric surgeon can realign the toe joint in an operation generally referred to as a bunionectomy. However, there are actually around 130 different operations that fall under this title - so don't presume you'll need the same type of surgery as that friend of a friend who couldn't walk for 3 months! A complaint which is more common among men then women is "Hallux rigidus", where, instead of bending normally, the big toe stiffens and forms a bump at the top of the joint, making the 'pushing-off' motion in walking difficult. This often results from stubbing or injury to the toe. Wearing shoes with low heels and firm soles will act as a supporting splint. Podiatrists will be able to provide orthoses to modify the way you walk. In severe cases, footwear may be modified or surgery may be indicated. Another common complaint is "Hammer Toes". The toes which become bent up in an inverted "V" shape and can't straighten out during walking. Corns develop where it rubs against the shoe. Too-tight shoes and socks make the condition worse. You can help by investing in shoes that are "foot shaped" - with a straight inside edge, rounded toe and a toe box deep enough to remove pressure on the joints. A podiatrist may be able to prescribe treatment, appliances which straighten the toes, or, when necessary, may advise surgery to provide permanent correction. |
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