As Podiatrists, we see a variety of conditions related to the feet on a daily basis. We are well equipped to handle a wide range of conditions, as our Podiatrists have years of knowledge and experience to back them up. Here at our foot clinic in Amersham, we deal with verruca treatment, corn removal, foot surgery, and a lot more.
If you’re ever wondered about the services our foot clinic in Amersham has to offer, this blog is for you. Read on to learn more.
What Are Podiatrists?
Before getting into the various different services we offer, such as foot surgery, verruca treatment, and corn removal, it’d be best for you to understand what Podiatrists are, to begin with.
Podiatrists are medical practitioners who have experience in assessing, diagnosing, and treating conditions affecting the feet, ankles, lower limbs, and the structures that support them. Issues like foot pain can be caused by injury, overuse, or conditions that cause inflammation in any of the bones, ligaments, or tendons in the foot. Misalignment in the foot can often cause pain and affect how you walk or run. This misalignment causes strain on certain parts of the foot, ankles, calves, knees, hips, and even the lower back. A podiatrist can treat these problems caused by misalignment in a variety of ways, the most common of which is by fitting custom-made insoles (Orthotics) to relieve pain.
What Can We Do For You?
Now that you know what podiatrists do, here are a few of the services we offer here at Bucks Foot Clinic:
- Heel Pain:
Stress fractures, Severs disease (common in children aged 9-14), tendonitis, arthritis, or nerve irritation are all common causes of pain. Plantar Fasciitis is another common cause (which we explain below). It could also be related to the shoes you’re wearing. Pain symptoms can range from mild to severe, and you will require a Podiatry evaluation to determine the source of your pain. Our podiatrists will be able to determine the best course of treatment for you, which may include footwear or orthotics advice, physical therapy, and an exercise/stretching programme. - Sports Injuries:
If you’ve suffered a sports injury to your foot or ankle, a Podiatrist may be your best option. They are not only well-trained to treat them, but they can also provide expert advice on how to avoid them. The following are some of the most common sports injuries that a Podiatrist can treat:
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- Foot Joint Sprain
- Ankle Sprain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Shin Splints
- Runner’s Knee
- Plantar Fasciitis:
One of the most common causes of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis. It is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Physical therapy, the use of orthotics, a night splint to stretch the calf and arch of the foot, taping and strapping to reduce strain and provide support to the plantar fascia tissue in acute cases, and a stretching exercise programme are all examples of Podiatry treatment. - Foot Arthritis:
Foot arthritis (commonly seen in the big toe) causes the joints to stiffen and become immobile. This does not cause pain in and of itself, but changes in walking and gait patterns can lead to referred pain in the knees, legs, and hips. In some cases, where the arthritic change has advanced, there will be a pain in the associated joint, which is caused by bone rubbing where the joint has become eroded. Orthotics/shoe inserts may be used to reduce stress and loading on the arthritic joints as well as the knees, hips, and legs. Shoe advice will also be given; often, a change in shoe style is required. - Bunions:
Bunions are caused by enlarged joints at the base and side of the big toes, as well as the big toe being angled towards the other toes (this angulation is known as Hallux Valgus). Bunions can cause other foot deformities and issues such as hammer toe, corns and calluses, and ingrown toenails. If the pain of a bunion isn’t enough of a motivator to see a Podiatrist, the secondary problems often are, as the discomfort becomes unbearable. Podiatry treatment may include the use of orthotics to alleviate pain and discomfort, footwear advice, corn and callus removal, and the application of cushioned plasters and dressings. Bunions can also be corrected or removed altogether at our foot clinic in Amersham. - Corn Removal:
Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that form as the skin attempts to protect itself from friction or pressure. They frequently form on the feet and toes, as well as the hands and fingers. If you’re in good health, you don’t need to treat corns and calluses unless they hurt or you don’t like the way they look.
Consult a podiatrist if you have significant pain, swelling, or redness in the area, or if you are diabetic. If necessary, a podiatrist can easily remove larger corns in the office using a surgical blade. They can shave away the thickened, dead skin with the blade without having to numb or inject the area. Because the skin is already dead, the procedure is painless. - Verruca Treatment:
Verrucas are often confused with corns, but they aren’t the same thing. If you want to know more about what verrucas are and how they differ from corns, read this blog postof ours.
There are many potential ways in which our podiatrists can go bout Verruca Treatment. Depending on the severity of your verruca, we can go about verruca treatment through SWIFT Machine Therapy, to get rid of the verruca entirely. We can also use milder verruca treatments, like over the counter medications and more. The best way to know how to go about verruca treatment is by booking an appointment with us so we can examine your condition and treat it accordingly. - Foot Surgery:
There are many different types of foot surgery we can perform at our foot clinic in Amersham. Among the most common foot surgery we prescribe, is foot surgery for ingrown toenails.
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail’s edges curl into the flesh of the toe. Ingrown nails can occur as a result of an injury, excessive pressure on the toes (for example, if you run or participate in a high-impact sport), tight-fitting shoes, incorrectly cut nails or poor hygiene. It is excruciatingly painful, and if left untreated, it can become severely inflamed and infected. Podiatry treatment will begin with an examination of the toenail to determine whether conservative treatment, such as softening the skin and pushing it back away from the nail, will be beneficial.
Toenail surgery, on the other hand, is required in many cases. Your podiatrist will either remove the nail completely or partially. If there is an infection, the nail is dressed with an antibiotic solution and then dressed to protect it and prevent further infection.
Conclusion
We hope this blog helped you understand the services we provide at our foot clinic in Amersham. If you want to know more, visit our website or just book an appointment for a consultation with our podiatrists.
Please call us on 0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now