Podiatrist/Chiropodist

An registered Podiatrist or Chiropodist is a qualified specialist in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the foot and lower limb. Most people are affected by a foot disorder at some time in their life, and a Podiatrist (which is the term now used more often than Chiropodist) is the expert who can resolve the problem.

Meeting the standard required for use of the protected title Podiatrist or Chiropodist currently involves studying for a Bachelor’s degree that includes one thousand clinical training hours. A Podiatrist may be trained in the use of local anaesthetics and have a licence for issuing prescription-only medicines.

What Does a Podiatrist do?

Among a wide variety of capabilities, a Podiatrist can:

• relieve foot pain
• prescribe and provide orthoses (specialist insoles)
• employ techniques that include minor surgery using local anaesthetic
• provide preventative care for specific conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation and arthritis
• recognition systemic medical conditions which may first manifest themselves within the foot, and alleviate the effects of these disorders (such as inflammation or ulceration)
• provide routine care of problem nails, corns and calluses

Foot Health Check

During the initial consultation, in addition to treating any routine conditions such as nail cutting, hard skin and corn removal, verrucae treatment; patients will also receive a Foot Health Check.This will include circulation, skin condition, foot care and footwear advice. 

Diabetic Foot Care

The Podiatrist will check both pulses in your feet and look for evidence of loss of sensation. They will also be looking for any foot deformity or signs of excess pressure that may require footwear advice, removal of corns and callus and in some cases an insole. The cutting of nails will also be included in the treatment.

Nail Cutting

It may be that you just can't reach or find it difficult to cut you toe nails. More troublesome problems include thickened or ingrown nails or fungal infections. These and other nail problems will be expertly dealt with.Ingrown Nails An Ingrown toe nail can be very painful and may cause regular episodes of infection. Conservative treatment involves the cutting back of the painful part of the nail and may involve a periodic preventative treatment. Where the condition is chronic with repetitive re-occurrence of the problem, a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic may be required.

Corns and Callus

Callus ("Hard Skin") is unsightly and uncomfortable. If left it can crack and become painful. Corns can occur on top of or in between toes as well as on the bottom of the feet. Corns and callus can be reduced leaving you feet feeling a lot more comfortable.Verrucae Verrucae (also known as Plantar Warts ) are caused by a virus. If left alone they may cure themselves. Failing this over the counter treatments from chemists can help. Sometimes more persistent verrucae may require a course of treatment from a chiropodist / podiatrist. In many cases this will resolve the problem. 

Foot Pain

The foot is a very complex structure, yet it is often taken for granted and generally ignored. Many patients develop foot pain which they believe will settle until symptoms become chronic and they seek professional help.

The two most common areas of pain are under the ball of the foot and in the heel.

Pain in the ball of the foot can have many causes and is given the generic name Metatarsalgia because the pain is in the area of the Metatarsals. It is usually the result of arthritis, trauma, stress fracture, nerve entrapment or nerve enlargement ( Morton's Neuroma ). Heel pain can have a number of causes, but is most commonly related to inflammation of the Plantar Fascia ( Plantar fasciitis ). The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel bone (Calcaneus) to the ball of the foot. When this tissue becomes over stretched it can become inflamed and sore. Typical symptoms include pain (in the heel and/or arch) on the first few steps of the day or after periods of rest. 

It is important to have the cause of your foot pain diagnosed. If the cause is not initially obvious a further appointment may be made for a full Biomechanical assessment. Examination will involve testing of the joints and muscles to the foot and lower limb, along with analysis of your posture and walking pattern, all of these things can point to the cause of the pain. Treatment of foot pain can involve interventions to improve the way you walk. The aim will be to enable your foot to function in a more 'ideal' position and to relieve irritation to the problematic area. The treatment can include footwear advice and insoles or orthotics to be worn in shoes. An initial regime of rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and icing to the area, along with the stretching of particular muscle groups if they are contributing to the problem.

Children's Feet ( Podopaediatrics )

Podopaediatrics is the study of children's feet.  This is focused on the treatment and correction of early foot deformities and the improvement of paediatric foot health. If your child has In toeing or Out toeing feet, flat feet, seems to trip a lot or complains of foot pain, see a Podiatrist for an assessment of your child's needs. Many children's foot problems are developmental, meaning the child may grow out of them without the need for treatment. 

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the science that examines forces acting on the body and the effects produced. It is well recognised that a persons abnormal foot alignment and walking can be the cause of recurrent problems which include back, hip, knee, ankle and foot pain. A Biomechanical Assessment conducted by a qualified Podiatrist may highlight abnormal foot and lower limb function which can often lead to pain and injury.

Insoles and Orthotics

Orthotics are devices used to cushion and support the feet or to modify foot function. They are designed to treat, adjust and support various biomechanical foot disorders. Some Orthotics are simple, commercially made devices, such as cushioned heel cups or insoles for shoes that are sold over the counter in chemists or other retail establishments. 

The most effective orthotics, however, are custom made devices that are crafted to meet the specific needs of a particular individual. Custom orthotics are often made by taking a plaster cast of the foot, which duplicates any misalignments in the foot structure. The cast along with a prescription written by a Podiatrist is sent to an orthotic laboratory where a made to measure device is produced, often using computer technology.

 

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All content within is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.LSCT is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the LSCT website.Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.
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