Foot problems are very common, affecting 3 out of 4 people including children; and nearly everyone who wears shoes has foot problems at some point in their lives. So if you are suffering from any foot conditions showing in the picture below or any other foot condition, we, at “Foot Medicals” will make every effort to ensure the best possible care and to provide the maximum pain relief and better foot function that can be provided.

So whether you’re looking for treatment, advice or would like to recommend a friend for a foot assessment, we will be glad to help.

So don’t suffer with foot problems and pain!

Schedule an appointment and take your first step towards comfortable feet.

Many of our customers have some kind of pain or discomfort that prevents them from enjoying an active life. We at Foot Medicals make every effort to ensure the best possible care and to provide the maximum pain relief and better foot function that can be provided. We want to know about the problem area and if you are experiencing foot, knee, hip, or back pain. Our goal is to get you the correct treatment or support to make your life as enjoyable as possible.

 

Podiatrist / Chiropodist

A Podiatrist / Chiropodist is a qualified person who treats a wide variety of foot related problems, is regulated by The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

 

Why Chiropody / Podiatry

People spend a great deal of time on their feet, which is why they are so important. Feet are one of the key aspects to mobility and independence; foot structure and function also affect other joints of the lower extremity (hips, knees, ankles) and spine. Therefore it is important to take care of the feet to prevent foot pain.

Some Facts About Your Feet

The foot is a complex structure of 26 bones and 33 joints, layered with an intertwining web of more than 120 muscles, ligaments, and nerves. It serves the following functions:

• Supports weight
• Acts as a shock absorber
• Serves as a lever to propel the leg forward
• Helps maintain balance by adjusting the body to uneven surfaces

The foot does not simply bear the weight of the whole body but the weight springs off it many times a minute in walking, running or jumping and it helps to absorb the impact of landing.

The bones, ligaments and muscles absorb an enormous amount of impact over a lifetime. especially in an athlete but perhaps more so in the overnight. Because the feet are very small compared with the rest of body, the impact of each step exerts tremendous force upon them. This force is about 50%greater than the person’s body weight. During a typical day, people spend about 4 hours on their feet and take 8,000 to 10,000 steps. This means that the feet support a combined force equivalent to several hundred tones every day! During the average lifetime, our feet cover over 112,000km, which is equivalent to walking four times around the world. it is therefore not surprising that 75% of people will experience foot or ankle problems at some stage during their lives.

Who Has Foot Pain

Foot and ankle problems are very common, affecting 3 out of 4 people at some stage in their lives; nearly everyone who wears shoes has foot problems in some point in their lives. Foot pain is fairly common even in children. Some foot pains are mild and temporary, while other foot pain are chronic and persistent throughout one’s lifetime. Foot deformities and pain have been shown to be associated with pain in others joints as the ankles, knees, hips and low back.

Predisposing Factors of Foot

The following may increases your chances of having a foot pain:

• Aging
• Hereditary
• Being on your feet for long periods of time
• Being overweight
• A foot deformity that you were born with or develops later
• Injury
• Shoes that fit poorly or do not have much cushioning
• Too much walking or other sports activities
• Gender: women are at higher risk than men for severe foot pain, probably because of high-heeled shoes. Severe foot pain appears to be a major cause of general disability in older women.
• Arthritic Conditions, particularly osteoarthritis and gout, can cause foot pain. Although rheumatoid arthritis almost always develops in the hand, the ball of the foot can also be affected.
• Diabetes is an important cause of serious foot disorders.
• Obesity can cause foot and ankle pain
• Pregnancy can cause fluid buildup and swollen feet, the increased weight and imballance of pregnancy contributes to foot stress.

Some Common Foot Pain

Arthritis and Gout: 

Common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender.

Hammer toes:

Toes that curl downward into a claw-like position.

Athlete’s Foot:

Also known as Tinea Pedis is a skin infection which is commonly thought amongst athletes and those who wear trainers and other non-breathable footwear.

Bunions:

Bunions are a painful swelling and excess bone growth on the inside of the big toe joint, It is often caused tight footwear, high heels, or from abnormal bone alignment, and over pronation.

Corns and Calluses:

Corns and calluses occur when there is excess  or thickening of the skin, usually on the soles of the feet and are caused by repeated pressure or friction on the skin.

Flat Feet:

Pes Planus is the term used when an individual has flat feet, or fallen arches. This condition is such that the foot appears entirely flat on the floor on the inside.

Fungal Nail Infection:

Fungal nail infection is four times more likely to develop in a toenail than a fingernail, and while it can look unsightly it is rarely painful. A fungal nail infection is not serious, but it will not clear up on its own and requires treatment with anti-fungal medicine.

Hammer Toe

A hammer toe is a condition which causes one or more of the smaller toes to become bent upwards. The toe can be straightened but if ignored may become.

Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis is a common and frustrating cause pain, often caused by improper footwear not allowing the nail to grow properly.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a vague term describing pain in the forefoot. It is often an inflammatory condition in the joints between the metatarsals and phalanges (toes).

Mortons Neuroma

Mortons neuroma is a compression of a nerve between the heads of two metatarsals. This causes pain between the toes, which is worse when squeezing the forefoot.

Over Pronation

Over pronation is often recognised as a flattening or rolling in of the foot. It is not quite as simple as that as the timing of when the foot rolls in is also important.

Plantar Fascitis

Plantar fascitis is a condition causing pain under the heel into the sole of the foot. It is characterised by pain, which is worst first thing in the morning.

Server’s Disease

Server’s disease occurs mainly in active children aged 8 to 15 years old and results in pain or tenderness at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone.

Swollen Toe

Swollen toe can be caused by a number of reasons. We outline and link to more detail of some of the more common ones.

Verucca

Veruca is also known as a plantar wart and appears on the sole of the foot. They are the same as warts on any other body part and are caused by a virus.

 

Although foot conditions and symptoms vary in severity, most can be treated using a conservative approach.

Thus we here at Foot Medicals strive to go the ‘extra mile’ for our customers.

We believe in giving all our clients a personal service that is tailored to their needs. Whether you’re looking for treatment, advice or would like to recommend a friend for a foot assessment, we will be glad to help.

 

SO DON’T SUFFER WITH FOOT PROBLEMS AND PAIN!

Schedule an appointment

AND TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TOWARDS COMFORTABLE FEET.