Specialised Footcare
We offer specialised footcare for several medical conditions…
Diabetes and Footcare
How diabetes affects your feet.
- Reduced nerve sensitivity causing unnoticed injuries
- Poor circulation leading to long healing processes
- Increased risk of ulcers and other foot complications
- Pain and cramps in feet and lower legs
- Burning, aching, numbness or tingling
- Increased risk of infections such as tinea and cellulitis
What can we do to help?
- Professional cut and file to reduce minor abrasions to the skin
which could act as a potential infection - Use of a doppler, an ultrasound device, to check the flow of blood to the feet. Sensation loss is also assessed with a monofilament.
- Footwear advice is given where there are signs of pressure build-up affecting the feet in the shoes, sometimes orthotics or padding is recommended to off-load pressure points.
If the podiatrist conducting the assessment is at all concerned about any of the readings then they will refer you to a specialist diabetes centre or to your GP.
It is advisable to:
- Inspect your feet daily, or have someone do this for you. If you notice any abnormalities consult your Podiatrist. Visit your Podiatrist centre for a full assessment every 6-12 months, so changes in circulation and/or nerves of your feet can be detected early.
Arthritic footcare
This refers to special care with feet that have become misshapen as a result of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and gout.
- Joint deformities can make shoe fitting difficult and build-up of callosities that can result in ulceration.
- These secondary problems such as ulcers or corns that have been caused by foot deformities will be treated.
- We can provide protective shields for toes or padding to relieve pressure and reduce friction and hard skin formation
- Orthotics can be made following a Biomechanics assessment which will reduce pressure on affected joints when walking.
- Professional advice on fitting and styles of shoe available may help many of these problems to be minimise
Two common arthritic foot complaints that may be inherited or caused by trauma:
Hallux Rigidus/Limitus.
This is a degenerative arthritic disorder of the big toe joint. It can be painful and causes stiffness in the joint making it harder to bend the toe.
Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
This is a deformity of the big toe joint which pushes it over to the smaller toes causing pain and inflammation , swelling and stiffness around the joint especially where there is pressure from footwear. As a result of these changes often the second toe becomes ‘hammered’.