Treatments
Routine Nail Care
Nail growth is continuous throughout life, with peak rates of growth in the 10-14 year old group, with a steady decline in growth rate after the age of 20. Therefore periodic cutting is necessary, and incorrect performance of this task leads to ingrowing toe nails, one of the most painful conditions affecting nails.
Ingrowing Toenails Including Nail Surgery
In cases of severe persist ingrowing toenails a minor surgical procedure to permanently remove the nail is appropriate. This is performed under local anaesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour. Total healing should occur 4-6 weeks later; however dressings do need to be worn throughout this period.
Corns
Corns occur as a result of a concentrated intermittent pressure and can occur on the toes or soles of the feet. Typical causes include tight fitting footwear, deformity and dysfunction of the foot. Treatment involves removal of the corn’s nuclei and reduction of the pressure causing the corn formation.
Callus
Callus is an area of thickened skin that can become painful. Common causes are excessive pressure and friction. Treatment of callus involves removal by scalpel followed by pressure reducing padding/insoles and footwear advice.
Verrucas
Verrucae or warts represent one of the most common viral infections of the skin. Treatment is dependant on the site and number of verrucas combined with the age of the patient, previous treatment and any underlying medical conditions. Treatments used at Footprints include a range of chemical therapy.
Biomechanical Assessments
Biomechanics is the study of human movement and locomotion by assessing joints, muscle groups, posture and walking. This establishes the causes of back, hip, knee and foot pain.
Orthotics
If a problem is discovered during your Biomechanical assessment, specially made insoles to correct your walking and re- align your joints may be recommended. These are worn within your normal footwear.
Fungal infection advice
The most common fungal infections of the skin are those which occur on the feet. Footwear creates the necessary conditions of moisture and warmth between the toes, and communal activity permits the spread of infection. Fungus is also capable of invading nails. In order to confirm a diagnosis and identify the type of fungus examination of nail and skin scrapings will be taken. This enables commencement of oral treatment and or topical treatment.
Diabetic foot Management
The foot in diabetes can be affected by loss of sensation and circulatory changes with or without additional problems from trauma and infection causing potentially serious foot problems. It is therefore essential that people with diabetes follow a good foot care programme, know how to recognise and deal with areas of high risk and undergo annual neurological and vascular assessment.
Vascular Assessment
Lack of circulation causing peripheral vascular disease in the feet may represent the most serious of problems. It is therefore essential to have your foot circulation, foot pulses and the general health of your feet checked if you suffer from circulatory disorders. Early detection of any abnormality and advice can prevent more serious problems occurring.
Neurological Assessment
Loss of sensation in the feet can be due to a number of factors. However, it is important to establish if diminished sensation is occurring and to which stimuli. Once an abnormality is detected, advice is given on how to check and care for the feet to prevent further complications.