Explanations

General Chiropody

General Chiropody is the treatment of skin and nail conditions including, corns, callus, hard skin and fungal nail and skin infections. If you are concerned with the skin or nails on your feet then this is the most appropriate treatment for you.

It is also the right choice if you just want your feet checked or to give them a little treat for all the work they do.

As everyone’s feet are unique it is difficult to say exactly what your treatment will involve, but “General Chiropody” is not usually painful, and is quite relaxing for many people. Your clinician will discuss your treatment plan with you. If you have any particular concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. Your appointment will last approximately 15 minutes.

In-growing toe nails

In-growing toe nails are nails that grow into the skin around the nail, making the toe painful. They can become swollen, red, infected and have a mixture of yellowy liquid and blood weeping from them. They should be treated as soon as possible as they usually become more painful the longer they are left.

At Midleton Foot Clinic, we know how uncomfortable and painful in-growing toe nails can be. We will always try to treat you as quickly as possible and discuss all treatment methods with you. It is important to us that you understand your treatment and that you are comfortable with it.

We can treat in-growing toe nails conservatively by seeing you on a regular basis or by minor surgery where part, not all, of the nail is removed under local anaesthetic. (You should not drive after having this procedure. It is always advisable to have someone accompany you home).

A surgical treatment will last approximately 30 minutes. Future appointments will be arranged by your clinician accordingly.

Verrucae and Warts

Verrucae or warts are caused by a virus. They are usually contagious and caught in swimming pools, public changing rooms and dance studios even in your own shower or bath at home. They can be painful, but this is not usually the case.

You should always have a verrucae checked by your podiatrist before having any treatment even a home treatment. As there are many different treatments (each with their own advantages and disadvantages), it is important that you and your clinician decide on a treatment plan suitable for you. Options include, home treatments, herbal remedies, caustics, freezing and surgery.

The first appointment will last approximately 15 minutes, allowing the podiatrist to assess your feet and treat the verrucae. You will then usually be required to return for a series of treatments - the number of treatments is dependent on your particular verrucae, but we try to complete in five treatments.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can affect the skin or the nails, even both, and is often a source of embarrassment for many people. Depending on the type of fungus, the appearance of an infection varies. The skin may be flaky, red, white, dry or moist and itchy. Nails may be thickened, crumbly, splitting, white, yellow or brown.

It can be treated though. Stop hiding your feet away and make an appointment. We might just be able to fix it.

Treatments for fungal infections are usually a combination of home treatments (applying various creams, sprays and tinctures) and also appointments with your podiatrist. Occasionally oral medication is required. It is important that the advice given is followed, and problems are discussed with your clinician.

The treatment of fungal infections is usually carried out within a general chiropody appointment. Your initial appointment will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes and thereafter depending on your individual condition.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics could be said to be the study of human movement. In particular for podiatrists, how the movements of your lower limb and foot affect the rest of your body as a unit. It is important that your feet are in good working order, when they are not we feel aches and pains in other areas of our body, for example, knee pain, hip and back pain, as well as pain in our feet.

Most people want a bio-mechanical assessment when they feel something is wrong, such as pain in the foot, feeling unstable when standing, unexplained corns and callous or injuring a particular area of the foot, leg, knee or hip. However, you don’t have to wait for a problem before you have an assessment. Your clinician may, as a result of seeing you over a number of different appointments, recommend an assessment to you, or you may decide you would like a check up so that if there are any problems they are assessed earlier rather than later.

During your initial appointment, the clinician will discuss your symptoms with you and carry out a physical assessment. The assessment involves looking at the way you stand and walk, checking the joints and muscles, assessing your footwear and lifestyle. You should wear shorts for this appointment, or at least some loose fitting trousers. It would also be helpful if you brought along a variety of shoes you wear for different activities, such as trainers, work shoes, walking shoes and in particular the footwear that causes the pain (if it is specific). After the assessment has been carried out, a treatment plan will then be formulated between you and your clinician.

Orthotics & Insoles
Orthotics (correctly called orthosis) are similar to insoles, in so far as you put them into your shoes. the main difference is that they are used to alter the foot function when you, stand, walk, run etc. They are prescribed according to your needs and therefore the shape and size differs from one person to another, because of this you should never wear someone else’s orthotics!

Your clinician will advise you on the type of footwear you should wear for your particular devices so you get the best out of them. It is possible to have several pairs of orthotics to fit different types of shoes, or just the one pair that fits into a good range of your shoes. Orthotics can take a while to get used to and it is important that they are fitted correctly as small variations in the orthotic can significantly change your lower limb and foot function and may lead to discomfort. At Midleton Foot Clinic, we check you and your devices within the first six weeks of you getting them. We check you again after six months and yearly from that time for the life of the device you have purchased. An orthotic is similar to spectacles in that your prescription may change over time.

At Midleton Foot Clinic, we stock a range of orthotics and insoles that you can take away on the day of your appointment. We also prescribe custom orthotics that have to be sent to our dedicated lab to be made, this can take up to two weeks after which they are ready for collection. Custom orthotics are made specifically for your needs and can be prescribed by using specific measurements or may be made from a cast of your feet. When your orthotics are ready to be collected, you will need to come in and have a fitting. You should also have your orthotics reviewed as recommended by your clinician, and have new ones made when they eventually reach the end of there productive life.

An assessment can take up to 30 minutes sometimes longer.

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