Podiatry

A callus is an area of thickened, hard skin that may appear to be a yellowish colour. They commonly occur in areas of your foot that suffer high pressure; such as the balls of your feet and heels. A podiatrist or chiropodist can remove the hard skin build up, leaving you with smooth softer skin.
What are the causes?

Calluses can be caused by your walking style, ill-fitting shoes, excessive walking and running (which increase pressure or tension to the skin) and prominent, bony areas of your foot. Sometimes, calluses are formed naturally without any obvious cause.

Podiatry treatment

We at BodiKind will thoroughly assess your foot to determine the cause of any calluses. Podiatry management of calluses could then include:

• Maintenance appointments to keep the calluses reduced (removing the hard skin)
• Methods to reduce pressure such as orthoses (shoe inserts), padding and/or footwear advice

Please note: It is particularly important for those suffering from diabetes or poor circulation to see a podiatrist for the management of calluses.

A corn is an area of hard skin which is usually quite small in size and with a round appearance. Although they are roughly round in shape on the surface, they form a cone into the skin which can cause pain when pressed. Corns are commonly found in areas of the foot that suffer high pressure, and can rub or twist whilst walking.
What are the symptoms?

If you have corns, it is often described as feeling like you’re walking on pebbles. They can cause intense pain when walking or exercising and often ache.

Podiatry treatment

We at BodiKind will thoroughly assess your foot to determine the cause of corns. Podiatry management of corns could then include:

• Maintenance appointments to keep the corn/s reduced
• Methods to reduce pressure such as orthoses (shoe inserts), padding and/or footwear advice

Please note: It is particularly important for those suffering from diabetes or poor circulation to see a podiatrist for the management of corns.

Fungal nails occur when a fungus has infected one or several nails and can form with several different appearences. It is common in toenails and usually affects adults.

What are the symptoms?

There are several types of fungus that can cause infection and so the symptoms can vary, depending on the type of fungus and the amount of nail affected. They do not always cause pain and are also linked with fungal skin infections, such as athlete’s foot. Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Discolouration and thickening of the infected nail
• A crumbly, soft or brittle nail
• The nail lifting from the nail bed
• A strong smell

Podiatry treatment

Fungal nail infections can be treated with nail lacquer, anti fungal medication or in some cases; removal of the nail. Your podiatrist will give you advice on the most suitable treatment, as well as cutting and filing your nail to improve the appearance and any discomfort. Your feet should be kept cool and dry at all times as fungal nail infections thrive in warm, sweaty feet.

A verruca is a wart that occurs on the foot. They are the same as warts on any other part of the body, but appear different as they are flattened under the pressure of feet.

What are the symptoms?

Verrucae are many different shapes and sizes. They can be small and round in shape and rough to touch, with little black dots in the centre. They can be raised in some areas (for example in between the toes) and can grow to be quite large, or several in a cluster. They can be painful or pain free.

What are the causes?

Verrucae are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes a reaction in the top layer of skin.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will advise you on the appropriate management plan for your verruca/e at your initial assessment. This could include chemicals being applied to kill the virus infected skin in order for healthy skin to return.

A bunion is a condition in which the big toe is angled excessively towards the second toe, rather than pointing forwards in a straight line. Over time, this excessive angle gives the appearance of a bump on the inside of the big toe joint. This bump is called a bunion.

What are the symptoms?

Bunions can be painful and appear red and swollen, your footwear and activity levels are a factor in the pain felt. Bunions can also cause foot problems such as calluses and corns.

What are the causes?

There are a number of reasons a bunion may occur including; length of metatarsals (foot bones), the shape of the ball joint, natural angle of foot bones, footwear, arthritis and genetics, to name a few.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will assess why the bunion has formed and whether treatment can be given to slow the progression of the bunion. Conservative management will aim to reduce any discomfort the bunions are causing.

Discoloured nails are a noticeable change in colour throughout the toe nails, or to the nails over time. It could affect all or part of the nail.

What are the causes?

There are a number of reasons why nails change colour and quite often it is nothing to worry about. Some types of discolouration may be due to a fungal infection or other condition.

Podiatry treatment

The treatment for discoloured nails depends on the cause. Some discolouration may not require treatment, however others will. It is important to visit a podiatrist who will be able to offer you advice.

Thick toenails are nails that have increased in volume. They can be unsightly and can cause problems with cutting, filing and getting suitably fitting footwear.

What are the causes?

Thickened toenails can have a number of causes such as; trauma to the nail (dropping something on your foot), repeated minor trauma (nail rubbing the end of your shoe), fungal infection, ageing and circulation.

Podiatry Treatment

Your podiatrist will assess the cause of your thickened nails and will incorporate this into a management plan. They can reduce the size and thickness of your nail, making it easier to manage and ease any symptoms.

Please note: It is particularly important for those suffering from diabetes or poor circulation to see a podiatrist for the management of thick nails.

Foot problems can develop if you have rheumatoid arthritis. This can cause pain, swelling, deformities and collapse within the foot structure.

Deformities within the foot can lead to a number of difficulties – bone changes can cause the formation of corns and calluses if the foot is under high pressure. Swelling may mean that you can no longer wear your usual style of footwear. Bone changes can also lead to difficulties in foot function and finding suitable (and comfortable) footwear.

Your podiatrist will aim to make your rheumatoid feet more comfortable by advising on suitable footwear, treating painful pressure areas and on-going removal of calluses and corns. Orthoses (shoe inserts) could also be provided to support your foot and to help it to improve function.

If you have a lack of arch height on the inside of your foot, this is known as ‘flat feet’. Everyone has a different foot posture and this may be normal for you. If your foot shape has changed, or your feet are causing you problems such as abnormal feelings, sensations or pain then please book to see a BodiKind podiatrist for a walking (gait) assessment. The assessment will give your feet a posture grading to determine whether your feet are working to their full ability and whether it is affecting the surrounding joints.

What are the symptoms?

Flat feet may just be your foot type and not cause any problems at all. For some, symptoms experienced may include:

• A collapsing feeling or foot rolling inwards
• Pain within the inner side of the foot
• Feeling unstable
• Pain or aching in the ankles, knees, hips or lower back.

Your symptoms will depend greatly on the severity of the condition.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will advise you on supportive, well-fitting shoes which can alleviate aching within the arch of your foot. This however, may not be adequate and you may require an orthotic (shoe insert) to support the arch and reduce the severity of collapsing or rolling in.

Healthy feet have 26 bones, most of which are made of soft cartilage at birth. During childhood these bones begin to harden (or ossify) and are not fully developed until about the age of 18 years. For this reason, it is very important during those early years to look after children’s developing feet, as they are very sensitive to pressure. Footwear must fit correctly as an ill-fitting shoe can influence the natural growth, change the shape and impact on the development of the foot.

Please book an appointment with a podiatrist at BodiKind if you have any of the following concerns regarding your child’s feet:

• Growth or shape of the foot
• The way your child walks or sits
• If any pain or discomfort is reported to you

Your podiatrist will be able to assess and give advice on all of these concerns.

Other common foot complaints in children are verrucae, toe-shape, tip-toe walking, flat feet and painful heels.

Children are assess with their parent/s present and advice will be given by your podiatrist on the appropriate management for any condition. Correct footwear in terms of fitting and style is very important for children and sometimes orthoses (shoe inserts) may help to manage conditions.

Achilles tendoniitis can be a painful condition that is caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is at the back of your ankle and connects the calf muscles to the foot and controls certain movements key for walking and activity. It can become inflamed for many reasons such as the tendon being pulled through overuse, trauma, overuse of the muscle group, repetitive movements and walking on uneven surfaces.

Podiatry treatment

Following a thorough assessment, your podiatrist will form a diagnosis and design a suitable treatment plan. The treatment plan will aim to improve any painful symptoms and also to improve the function of the lower limb in order to prevent the problem from returning.

The treatment of Achiles tendonitis could include the prescription of orthoses (shoe inserts) exercises and stretches.

Chronic ankle pain is described as the pain, ache and/or an unstable sensation around one or both ankles which has persisted for a long period of time or has been recurrent over a long period of time. .

What are the causes?

Chronic ankle pain can be caused by an injury to the ankle, the foot not functioning ‘normally’ and putting strain on the ankle, posture, foot shape, or due to genetics/medical condition.

Podiatry treatment

A Full walking (gait) analysis is necessary in order to develop a treatment plan. This could include orthoses (shoe inserts), footwear advice, exercises and stretches.

Everyone walks differently, but some of us can develop problems. This could include pain, aching, unusual sensations and tiring quickly to name a few. Gait Analysis is the examination of how you walk or run and looks at the whole body. It is also important to do a thorough examination of activities and the problems experienced, in order to develop a custom made treatment plan which may include orthoses (shoe inserts).

As part of the Gait Analysis your BodiKind podiatrist will assess the range and quality of the movement in your lower limb joints. This can identify any restrictions in your joints and muscles and how they may affect your walking (gait) pattern. It will also impact your treatment plan as we will be able to indicate how much function can be corrected.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection of the foot. As the name suggests, it commonly affects athletes and their feet, as the fungus thrives in warm and moist areas.

What are the symptoms?

Athlete’s foot can be itchy, though this isn’t always the case. It may appear to be red, flaky or scaly and could be sore. As the fungus prefers warm and moist areas, it generally appears between the toes. Left untreated it can spread to other parts of the foot including the nails.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will advise you on the most effective treatment for your symptoms, and will provide information on how to avoid the problem returning.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the side of the toenail cuts into the skin next to the nail. It is often seen on the big toe, although it can occur in other toes. Ingrown toenails can occur at any age but are most common in teenagers and young adults. Ingrown toenails could be caused by; trauma, moist skin, narrow fitting footwear, a poor nail cutting technique and nails with naturally curved edges, rather than a flat nail.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail may include; pain, swelling, redness and sometimes a smelly discharge if infection is present.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will assess whether the part of the nail that has penetrated the skin can be removed easily. If the ingrown nail is very painful, a local anaesthetic may be required. If the portion of ingrowing nail is not removed, infections may persist. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat an infected ingrown toenail.

Ongoing and surgical treatment of the ingrown toenail will be discussed during the initial consultation.

Cracked heels are associated with very dry skin and a loss of elasticity and result in the development of splits (fissures) in the skin. If left untreated, the cracks can provide a portal of entry for infection.

What are the causes?

If the skin on the heel becomes too dry and suffers high pressure (walking/standing) acting on it, this can cause the skin to split. These can become deep and penetrate through the skin.

Podiatry treatment

There are two main treatments; the removal of the hard skin surrounding the cracks and intense emollient therapy (creams).

Please note: It is particularly important for those suffering from diabetes or poor circulation to see a podiatrist for the management of cracked heels.

Dry skin is very common and occurs when the skin lacks moisture which means that the skin is no longer supple, is prone to cracks and may peel and flake. Dry skin can be more susceptible to infection and it if cracks this can provide a portal of entry.

What are the causes?

Dry skin occurs when the outer layer of skin becomes dehydrated. Skin chafes can be caused by footwear, the weather, ageing, medications and medical conditions.

Podiatry Treatment

Your podiatrist will offer you advice after assessing your dry skin and the cause. Treatment could include emollient therapy (creams).

The nerves and bloody supply may both be adversely affected within the feet as a result of diabetes. Nerve damage could cause a loss of sensation therefore if there is injury or trauma to the foot, for example standing on a sharp object, this may not be felt and could lead to more serious complications.

Diabetes can also lead to a restricted blood supply in the feet and legs which may affect the ability to heal if there is an injury to the foot.

If you are diabetic, your podiatrist will advise you on a number of things you can do to help avoid complications with your feet. It is also important for your podiatrist to monitor any deterioration in the nerves or circulation of your feet, to allow you to take the necessary precautions to help avoid any complications.

There are many different toe shapes which are ‘normal’ and others that may be problematic such as hammer, mallet and curly.

What are the symptoms?

Toe shapes become problematic when their shape causes pain or other symptoms within the toe itself, or in the foot such as corns and calluses. The toe could be painful, sit awkwardly in footwear and/or be unsightly.

What are the causes?

Changes within the toes can be caused by the surrounding structure, such as a change in the pull of muscle tendons or a bone moving position. External influences could be footwear, socks, hosiery and trauma.

Podiatry treatment

Your podiatrist will assess the shape of your toe/s in order to create a management plan. Your management plan may include splints, strapping, padding, footwear assessment, treatment for corn/callus formation.

A neuroma is a thickening or enlargement of nerve tissue.

What are the symptoms?

If you have a neuroma, a sharp or dull pain is usually felt where the nerve is enlarged as it can be impinged by the surrounding areas. A common site for a neuroma is between the toes as it gets squeezed by the bones. This could be made worse by tight fitting shoes and by walking. You may feel numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation around the area. Symptoms can start very quickly or gradually over a period of time and may worsen.

Podiatry treatment

The aim of podiatry treatment for a neuroma is to reduce and relive pressure around the affected nerve. This can be done in a number of ways; a change in footwear, padding applied to the foot and/or orthoses (shoe inserts).

Osteoarthritis is commonly called wear and tear of joints. It causes degeneration within the joint and loss of cartilage which lines the ends of bones and forms a cushion, leading to discomfort and inflammation. The process can be acerbated in high pressure joints, such as those in the lower limbs.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness ‘rough’ moving joint, loss of movement in the joint, bony prominences and changes in foot posture.

Podiatry treatment

Osteoarthritis can change the shape of your foot and can lead to the formation of corns and calluses, which your BodiKind podiatrist can manage for you. Orthostics (shoe inserts) may be prescribed to relieve the pressure from certain ares of your feet, to provide comfort and to keep your feet functioning well. Advice regarding the most suitable footwear can also be provided.

Osteoarthritis can lead to a change in foot shape, this can lead to formation of corns and callus, which a podiatrist can manage for you. Orthoses (shoe inserts) can be prescribed to relieve the pressure from certain areas of your feet and to keep your foot functioning and to provide comfort. Advice regarding the most suitable footwear can also be provided.

Plantar fasciitis describes foot pain caused by the inflammation of a large ligament (planta fascia) connecting the heel and forefoot in the sole of your foot. The plantar fascia gives the foot stability when walking.

What are the causes?

Plantar fasciitis can be caused in a number of ways; unstable footwear, overuse, a change in foot shape, walking on uneven surfaces, trauma (the landing from a jump) and overloading.

Podiatry treatment

The treatment could include the prescription of orthoses (shoe inserts), stretches and footwear advice.

Nail surgery is a minor surgical procedure to remove all or part of your toenail. It can be required for ingrowing toenails or other problematic nails. Local anaesthetic is injected into your toe making it numb, blocking all pain and sensation during the procedure.

The whole procedure generally takes an hour to complete. After the surgery you will need to keep your foot elevated for a few hours and to rest. You can return to work or school the following day. Aftercare has to be undertaken in the first few weeks after surgery to help prevent infection and a dressing has to be worn.

Your BodiKind podiatrist will advise you to refrain from sports and running for at least two weeks. Healing time is dependant on your age and health, but it is generally 4 to 12 weeks.

Here at BodiKind we offer a toe nail cutting service. Many of us find it difficult to cut and look after our toenails due to back and leg pain, mobility or the shape and size of our nails. After a consultation, your podiatrist will be able to advise you on how we can help you to look after your nails.