Podiatry

What Is A Podiatrist?

Podiatrists, like physiotherapists are allied health professionals. They specialise in the management of a range of foot and ankle and lower limb conditions.

Podiatrists assess the biomechanics of the foot and the lower limb, take into consideration footwear and gait pattern in the management of common conditions.

Why Is Podiatry Important?

Podiatry is an important non-operative method for treating many conditions.

Occasionally after surgery an orthotic maybe required to ensure a good surgical outcome.

What Is Involved?

A podiatrist will examine your footwear (daily use and sports).

A full biomechanical assessment will be undertaken of the lower limb, examining alignment and joint motion.

A dynamic assessment will also often be done with review of your gait and where applicable running technique.

What Will Be The Potential Outcomes Of My Consultation?

Treatment options will be tailored to your individual symptoms and diagnosis. The podiatrist will liaise closely with your surgeon ensuring an integrated approach to your care.

Treatment may include:

  • Advice
  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Referral to physiotherapy for stretches and muscle strengthening exercises
  • Footwear advice
  • Activity modification
  • Strapping
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Orthoses (custom insoles)

How Do I Choose A Podiatrist?

At The London Foot & Ankle Clinic we have several partners we work closely with in London as well as in and around Buckinghamshire.

If you do not already have a podiatrist we can guide and recommend suitable podiatrists based on your individual needs. You may wish to visit a podiatrist close to your workplace or home for example. Discuss with your surgeon for further details.

What If Podiatry Does Not Help?

Moderate to severe conditions sometimes fail to improve with conservative measures such as:

  • Rest
  • Elevation
  • Ice
  • NSAIDs
  • Compression bandages/taping/bracing
  • Activity Modification
  • Physiotherapy
  • Use of orthoses

Patients are typically advised to undergo at least 3 months of podiatry before considering surgical options. Obviously if your pain is exacerbated by the treatment you recieve and/or is worsening then that is a good indication to see your surgeon.

Your surgeon may then discuss surgical options.