Podiatry
Podiatry is a medical discipline that focuses on the assessment,
diagnosis and management of lower limb health problems. Podiatrists
diagnose and manage numerous problems including gait disorders in
children, adults, elderly and other specialist groups, sports
injuries, foot and ankle pathologies and other painful conditions,
using therapies such as foot orthoses, ankle-foot orthoses,
exercises and gait re-training.
In order to become a Podiatrist, it is necessary to complete a 3
or 4 year BSc(Hons) Degree in Podiatry. The profession is regulated
by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and all Podiatrists working
within Ramsay Hospitals are HPC-Registered. You can check a
Podiatrist’s registration by visiting http://www.hpc-uk.org/.
Conditions treated:
- In-growing toenails
- Foot and ankle problems in general
- Flat feet / over-pronation
- High-arched feet
- Children’s foot problems
- Sports injuries
- Running Injuries
- Gait and biomechanical problems
- Toe abnormalities
- Pain at the front of the foot
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Metatarsalgia
- Plantar fasciitis / heel pain
- Collapsed arches
- Recurrent ankle sprains
- Rheumatoid foot problems
- Diabetic foot problems
- Achilles tendon pain
- Tibialis Posterior dysfunction / adult acquired flatfoot
- Post-op rehab after foot / ankle surgery
Treatments available:
- Foot orthoses
- Ankle-foot orthoses
- Ankle braces
- Exercise programmes
- Laser treatment
- Acupuncture
- Mobilisation / manipulation
- Biomechanical assessment
- Video gait analysis
- Foot pressure analysis
- Steroid injections
- Taping
- Footwear assessment & advice
- Help and advice on how to manage your condition
- Nail surgery: Podiatrists are qualified local anaesthetists and
perform toenail surgery for the permanent removal of part, or, all
of the nail. As this is done under local anaesthetic (like a dental
injection), no hospital admission is required, allowing you to get
up on your feet again more quickly.
Specialist care
Podiatrists are specialists within their field. However, because
of the Fitzwilliam hospital is structured, with an ethos of team
working, you can be assured that your Podiatrist will be working as
part of a specialist team, including Consultant Orthopaedic
Surgeons, Podiatric Surgeons, Physiotherapists, Radiology /
Diagnostics, Rheumatologists and others, ensuring that, no matter
what your condition, your treatment can be provided in one location
and within the same team, in most instances.
Going to see a Podiatrist
Please contact the Fitzwilliam hospital to make an appointment
with a Podiatrist (01733 842 319). When attending
for the first appointment, it is important that you take along some
shorts or short trousers so that the Podiatrist can properly assess
you lower limbs; a selection of shoes you would normally wear; any
orthoses or braces you have previously been provided with and
details of any previous or current medical treatment.
Private medical insurance
If you intend to see a Podiatrist using your medical insurance,
it is very important to check with the insurer the level of cover
provided, as it can vary widely. A number of insurers will cover
your appointments, but very few will pay for foot orthoses and
other appliances. Some insurers also require a referral from a GP
or Consultant before cover is provided.