Services we provide
Routine Foot Care
Verruca Treatment
Diabetic Footcare
Nail Surgery
Routine Podiatry
Routine podiatry treatment typically involves several steps:
Assessment: The podiatrist examines your feet, looking for any issues such as ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, or skin abnormalities.
Foot Care: The podiatrist will trim toenails, especially if they are too long or ingrown. They may also remove any thickened or hardened skin (calluses) and corns.
Treatment of Foot Problems: If you have any foot problems, like ingrown toenails or corns, the podiatrist will address them. This might involve removing an ingrown nail, applying padding to reduce pressure on a corn, or providing advice on how to manage any discomfort.
Education and Advice: The podiatrist may offer guidance on foot care practices, proper footwear, exercises, and strategies to prevent future foot problems.
Follow-Up: Depending on your condition, the podiatrist may recommend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your foot health and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
Overall, routine podiatry treatment aims to keep your feet healthy, prevent complications, and improve your comfort and mobility.
Verruca
A verruca, also known as a plantar wart, is a small growth on the sole of the foot caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It appears as a rough, grainy growth with tiny black dots in the centre, often causing discomfort or pain when walking. Verrucas can spread easily in warm, moist environments like swimming pools or communal showers.
The podiatrist can employ various treatments to address verrucas (plantar warts), depending on the severity and individual circumstances. Some common approaches include:
Topical Treatments: Podiatrists may apply topical medications containing salicylic acid to the verruca. These solutions help break down the wart tissue over time and stimulate the body's immune response to fight the virus causing the verruca.
Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the verruca using liquid nitrogen. Freezing destroys the wart tissue, causing it to eventually fall off. Multiple sessions may be needed for complete removal.
It is advisable patients attend every two to four weeks for verruca treatment to ensure the best results.
Diabetic Footcare
Podiatry plays a crucial role in diabetes management by focusing on foot health. Individuals with diabetes are prone to neuropathy and poor circulation, increasing the risk of foot ulcers and infections. Podiatrists assess foot structure, provide preventative care, and treat complications promptly, reducing the likelihood of amputations and enhancing quality of life.
Diabetic Assessment
A diabetic assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation of the feet to detect any issues related to diabetes. Here's what it typically includes:
Medical History: The podiatrist will review your medical history and any previous foot problems or complications.
Neurological Assessment: The sensation in your feet will then be tested using a monofilament to check for signs of peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes.
Vascular Assessment: We will assess blood flow to your feet by checking pulses and skin temperature, looking for signs of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) which can affect circulation in diabetic patients.
Foot Examination: Your feet will be inspected for any abnormalities such as cuts, sores, blisters, calluses, corns, or fungal infections. We will also assess the condition of your toenails and skin.
Footwear Assessment: Your footwear will be evaluated to ensure it fits properly and provides adequate support and protection for your feet.
Education and Prevention: The podiatrist will provide education on proper foot care practices, including daily inspection of feet, moisturizing, nail trimming techniques, and the importance of wearing appropriate footwear.
Referrals: If any concerning issues or complications are identified we may refer you to other healthcare professionals for further evaluation or treatment.
Regular diabetic assessments by podiatrists are essential for preventing foot complications, promoting early detection and intervention, and maintaining overall foot health in individuals with diabetes.
Nail Surgery
Common reasons for nail surgery include ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, and trauma to the nail. Nail surgery is typically recommended when conservative treatments have failed to resolve the problem or when the condition is severe enough to warrant surgical intervention. It aims to alleviate pain, correct deformities, prevent complications, and improve the overall health and appearance of the nails.
A podiatrist typically follows a step-by-step process when performing nail surgery:
Assessment: The podiatrist will first assess the nail condition, usually focusing on issues like ingrown toenails, severe fungal infections, or traumatic injuries. They'll examine the affected area and discuss treatment options with the patient.
Preparation: Before the surgery, the podiatrist will clean and disinfect the area around the nail. They will administer a local anaesthetic to numb the toe, ensuring the patient's comfort during the procedure.
Nail Removal: For ingrown toenails, the podiatrist will carefully trim or remove the affected portion of the nail.
Hemostasis: After nail removal the podiatrist ensures any bleeding is stopped and applies medication or dressings to promote healing and prevent infection.
Postoperative Care: The podiatrist will provide instructions for postoperative care, which will include keeping the toe clean and dry and changing dressings regularly. They'll also advise on pain management and when to follow up for further evaluation.
Follow-Up: Patients return for follow-up appointment to monitor healing, remove dressings and ensure the success of the procedure.
Throughout the process, the podiatrist prioritizes patient comfort and safety, using appropriate techniques and medications to minimize pain and reduce the risk of complications.