Symptom

Foot pain

Footcare is important to ensure a healthy active life. Our feet have to take enormous strain and while we devote much time and energy looking after other parts of our body, we tend to neglect the care of our feet.

Our feet have to take enormous strain. Each day they withstand hundreds of tons of pressure. They carry us over 60,000 miles in the average lifetime. 

Studies have shown that 89% of elderly people need some form of treatment and 91% of school children have problems with their shoes or feet.
Chiropodists specialise in treating a wide variety of conditions associated with feet including corns, ingrown toenails and verrucae.
Podiatrists specialise in biomechanical and structural problems including, custom orthotic insoles, gait analysis, sports injuries, musculoskeletal problems, overuse injuries, structural assessment, training advice and muscle assessment. 
Please use the information below to find out more about a specific symptom or treatment:

Symptoms

Treatments

Preventive care

Many foot problems can be prevented by regular visits to a chiropodist or podiatrist, and potentially painful conditions can be diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages avoiding unnecessary suffering. A great deal can be done to improve comfort, relieve pain and maintain mobility.
Caring for your feet should be as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth, and should include keeping your feet clean, free from infection and checking for any signs of change.

Chiropodists/Podiatrists treat:

  • Removal of corns and calluses
  • Treatment of verrucas
  • Nail surgery (e.g. ingrown toenails)
  • Treatment of athlete's foot and nail infections
  • Diabetes can inhibit the circulation and dull sensations in the feet, reducing awareness of pain and injury and possibly leading to ulceration
  • Many foot problems originate in childhood. Regular check-ups at an early age are a sound investment for the future
  • Treatment of bunions
  • Treatment of chilblains

What happens when I come for treatment?

A chiropodist/podiatrist will usually take a full medical history, perform a careful examination of your feet and assess any treatment required. In many cases, treatment will commence during the first consultation. Follow-up appointments will be arranged as required. Foot specialists liaise with other medical specialists including physiotherapists, chiropractors, orthopaedic surgeons or even dentists. If the chiropodist/podiatrist identifies any problems that may require a second opinion, you may be referred back to your GP.

Related conditions

Achilles rupture

Through overuse or accident your achilles can tear or rupture.

Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy (sometimes called achilles tendonitis) is caused by repeated “micro injuries” to the achilles tendon that do not completely heal.

Bunions

Bursitis

Bursitis is when bursae, fluid filled sacs, become inflamed

Chronic pain

Pain that lasts for longer than three months is called chronic pain. The pain can be a result of illness, an injury or accident or have no apparent trigger. It may vary in intensity and be in any part of your body.

Claw toes

Claw toe and hammer toe are deformities that happen when the tendons (guiders) that move the toes get too tight or out of balance. The affected toe can rub on other toes and on the inside of your shoe, causing pressure and pain.

Diabetic foot

Diabetes can cause reduced blood circulation or nerve damage to your feet meaning you might not realise you have an injury or ulcer.

Drop foot

Drop foot is a symptom of an underlying nerve, brain or muscular problem that causes weakness or paralysis in the muscles you use to lift your foot when you walk.

Foot and ankle injury

Our foot and ankle consultants treat everything from bunions to complex ankle replacements.

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes swelling and pain in joints.

Hallux Rigidus

Hallux rigidus is stiffness and pain in the big toe joint while walking. It is usually caused by arthritis and can affect patients of all ages.

Hammer Toe

Toe problems and toe deformities such as claw toe and hammer toe happen when the tendons (guiders) that move the toes get too tight or out of balance.

Heel Bone (OS Calcis) Fracture

Heel bone fractures are one of the most common fractures seen by consultants. They often happen as a result of a fall from a height such as a ladder.

Inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Your body’s normal defence system begin triggers an attack on the cells in the lining of your joints.

Morton's neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is an irritation of the nerve between your third and fourth toes.

Neurological Foot and Ankle Disorders

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative disease and is often referred to as "wear and tear" of a joint as you get older.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this tissue. This condition is often caused by an injury or over use such as excessive running, standing or walking.

Raynaud's syndrome

Rheumatic Disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid foot

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Tarsal coalition

Tarsal coalition is a congenital condition - meaning it presents at birth. It occurs when the tarsal bones fail to separate during foetal development.

Tendonitis

The tissue that attaches muscles to a bone is called a tendon. Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon or the muscles around a tendon.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis occurs when a tendon is injured or irritated or the sheath is injured causing restricted movement pain and swelling.