Footcare Archives - Best Podiatry and Chiropody Treatment in Amersham

Jez unfortunately contracted Covid and although poorly for several weeks, is now recovering and looking forward to getting back to work and treating patients. We wish him the best  We hope to get a flattering picture of him in PPE when he is up and working.

We very much look forward to seeing you fit, well and safe

Leena and the team at Bucks Foot Clinic

Small, spreading viral lesions. Unsightly and unpleasant, difficult to resolve.

If you or someone in your family or household has ever had these, you will very likely have at least dabbled with self-treatment and in some cases attempted to utilise the powers of folklore.
In the textbooks they are referred to as self-limiting benign tumors of the skin, that is to say that they are likely to resolve spontaneously and are no harm.

In reality, there are a large number of verruca which spread rapidly, cause pain and don’t seem to be affected by any number of treatments.

If there was one, absolute cure on the market, all the other self treatment / over the counter products would disappear…

However, there is a new therapy available through a registered podiatrist, which is a real game changer.

Swift, this deploys microwaves through a precise probe directly onto the lesion.

It is having a huge impact on the cure rate of even the most stubborn verruca.

It has a number of advantages over other self-applications and professional products.

There is no paste or liquid applied, therefore no dressing or padding required. This means that the foot can be showered and normal footwear worn.

The treatment time is a matter of minutes, although some describe some discomfort, it is generally less than and in shorter bursts than cryotherapy.

Treatment plans are usually for 3 treatments over a number of weeks, with the option to purchase the treatment as a package or singles.

Bucks foot clinic podiatrists are all trained and experienced in the use of swift. Book a consultation and find out which treatment is best for you.

Footwear can give podiatrists an insight to possible causes of foot problems and indeed help to resolve some foot health issues.

Footwear must be fit for purpose and fit.

Which may seem a very obvious point. Wear the correct shoes for the activity being undertaken, for example: trainers for sport, cushioning and support if the activity involves extended time on your feet. Although as adults our feet are no longer growing, it is still important to have a little room between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe – this allows for extension of the foot in action and possible increase of size due to swelling/fluid retention. Similarly consideration should be given to the width in relation to foot shape and type. A simple tool for assessing foot size and shape in respect of a particular shoe is to take an outline of the foot and one of the shoe and compare the two, there should be no foot template showing outside of the shoe… A good shoe is foot shaped, feet vary in shape and size, not every shoe style will suit / fit every foot shape.

Talking style…

Fashion along with budget has a huge bearing on footwear choices. That being the case, what makes a good shoe?

• Foot shaped, a shoe which is not competing against the natural shape of the wearers foot, will be more comfortable, no need to be broken in and give rise to fewer corns, calluses and deformities.
• Fastenings, buckles, laces, Velcro or at least a high elasticated front interface, will hold the foot in the shoe. Very much like wearing a seatbelt in a car. In slip on pumps the foot is kept on the shoe as a result of two functional mechanisms both of which in the long term result in conditions requiring Podiatry treatment.
  • Snug fit, crowding the toes in a small space….
  • Clawing/gripping, the toes work in an attempt to hold the shoe on, often the cause of claw and hammer toes.

The shoe detective…

The wear and tear of a well-worn shoe can give the wearer and the clinician clues as to the way the lower limb and foot are working.

Uneven wear at the heel shows the position at which the foot/shoe strikes the ground during walking.

Distortion Of the upper in relation to the sole can show the professional a number of functional abnormalities that may benefit from biomechanical assessment and intervention. Similarly, evidence of fit can be assessed from the molding of the upper over bony prominences and observing the foot imprint on the integral insole.

The pattern of wear, spirals can show abnormal phases within walking, which give rise to pain and lesions and may be improved or resolved with orthotics.

The new shoe…

Whilst a well-fitting shoe should never need to be broken in, it may be advisable to wear for short but increasing periods initially, to allow the materials to ‘give’, to avoid blisters and allow acclimatisation of the new pair.

Limo shoes…

So-called because they are only worn to get from the car to the red carpet… these are truly unsuitable footwear and purely for appearances! Towering heels and skimpy straps – if you must have them, avoid weight-bearing or walking and kick them off under the table as soon as possible!

Foot Focus: All I want for Christmas is….. Party Feet

Christmas is on the horizon and it’s time to sparkle… but it’s hard to glitter when your feet hurt…

Wearing winter shoes and heels brings on the corns and calluses, out of sight out of mind, summer is a distant memory!

Just because our toes are tucked up in thick, cozy socks and sensible boots it is still important to keep up a simple footcare routine. Wash your feet daily and dry thoroughly, checking between the toes for any signs of athletes foot. Use a pumice or foot file on the thickened skin. Apply a good quality foot cream and treat yourself to a little massage whilst you do so: rubbing and stroking towards the heart. Bucks Foot Clinic stock a number of foot creams and sundries.

If you have sore areas or corns, book in with a podiatrist to treat these. Don’t be tempted to use corn plasters or corn remover pastes, particularly if you have diabetes or circulatory issues.
And for those parties, try to find heels which are comfortable to have you dancing into the small hours. Towering heels might be the height of fashion and a party season must have, but if they cause your face to grimace rather grin, it’s not seasonal cheer… Look for styles with functional straps to hold the foot securely, avoid overly pointed toes – consider instead peep-toes.

Think about block heels or wedges for stability and greater comfort. If possible try to wear the party shoes for short periods ahead of the big night. Some designs incorporate padding in the soles and are well worth seeking out. And if that pair of “Cinderella must go to the ball” shoes is falling short on the comfort level, there are products that can help. Silicone foot pads can reduce the pain of overloading, gel sleeves can protect sore toes and heel grips assist in keeping the shoe on properly. Silicone spray can be helpful at stopping blisters and rubbing in new shoes. Many of these products can be purchased from our clinic along with help and advice from our team of foot experts. If all else fails pop a little pair of soft pumps in your bag and change into them.

Perhaps consider a medi-pedi, for yourself or as a gift for a fellow Christmas party goer! A medi-pedi is a combination of routine podiatry care – addressing corns and calluses and the luxury of a pedicure using lovely botanical products and a professional nail polish. Bring your own Christmas favorite or purchase from our range of Dr. Remedy nail polishes – we have berry reds, sophisticated navy’s and neutrals and sparkles aplenty!

From Bucks Foot Clinic, May we thank you for your business and wish you a very merry Christmas – go be fabulous and sparkle for the whole season with happy healthy feet!

Foot Focus The chill factor

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, we know that winter will soon be upon us. Whilst we romanticise about toasting our toes in front of the log fire, it is worth remembering the common seasonal complaint of chilblains. More women than men are affected.

Characteristically presenting itself as painful, often itchy and burning, red, swollen areas on the toes, fingers, and ears. For most, this is a mild discomfort which readily resolves, however in some cases, the areas blister and become open wounds and may require professional assistance.

The underlying cause is one of a circulatory nature, where the tiny blood vessels of the area have not responded appropriately to changes in temperature. People, particularly at risk, are those with family history, poor circulation, exposure to cold and damp conditions, poor nutrition or low body weight and smokers (nicotine having a constricting effect on blood vessels).

For many, chilblains are seen as an old-fashioned ailment, and there is some truth in that. In the days before central heating, when the population was more likely to be underweight, footwear was more basic, smoking was a common pastime, employment was physical and in poor conditions, often outside or on hard cold floors, chilblains would have been a common blight.

As a result, there are many historical references, folklore and old wives tales regarding their treatment, varying from rubbing the areas with raw onion, to soaking the feet in wee – but in these enlightened times, these are not recommended nor do they help.

In mild to moderate cases the discomfort can be alleviated by the application of calamine and witch-hazel, this may help with the associated itching. Foot warming creams and balms available from your podiatrist may prove beneficial.

In instances where the skin has become broken or where the condition seems ongoing, a podiatrist will be able to treat and advise.

In stubborn cases, Nifedipine, a prescription-only medication, may be indicated.

Prevention is better than cure!

It is surprising how much of an impact such a potentially minor ailment can have, ask anyone who has suffered from chilblains, it is miserable!

* Avoid exposure to cold, when cold, allow warming in a natural way – not toasting your feet in front of an open fire! Pre-warm footwear. Good hosiery (thermal fibers)

* Promote healthy circulation – exercise, smoking cessation, healthy diet.

* Good skincare – checking feet for early signs, applying the cream to improve skin quality, rubbing/ massage will also stimulate the microcirculation.

* Good ambient temperature – not a direct heat source, no draughts.

* Well fitting footwear – and fit for purpose. Chafing or tight areas can give rise to chilblains too.

If in doubt make an appointment to see your podiatrist!

Welcome to Bucks Foot Clinic. As the Lead Podiatrist, I am happy to help you with any questions. With over 20 years’ experience in podiatry, and up to date with all the latest treatments and methods in foot care and management. We will always give you accurate and honest advice about your feet and management. This ensures that your feet can get the best possible care in all cases.

We also give you a guarantee on the quality of our services. We will make sure that you get the best possible service at any time.

Thanks