Welcome to the Podiatry pages.
Podiatrists are highly skilled health professionals who have been trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
They also prevent and correct deformity, keep people mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections and can help with the following:
- Foot pain
- Heel pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Gait
- Joint pain
- Balance
- Footwear
- Corns
- Callous
- Verrucas
- Skin infections
- Nail infections
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Children’s feet
- Ingrown toenails
Patients with lymphoedema need particular foot care advice.
The following links will provide advice for foot healthcare practitioners click here and for patients click here.
Advice for patients
Daily foot care
- Wash feet daily with warm, soapy water. Test the water temperature with your elbow before dipping your feet in
- Dry feet carefully, paying special attention to dry between the toes
- If this area becomes damp or macerated, use surgical spirit on a cotton ball to dry in between, unless skin is open or cracked
- Moisturise your feet once you have bathed. Foot creams or heel balms that contain medical grade urea are particularly good for hard skin on the feet. A small pea-sized amount of moisturiser is all that is required
- Check feet daily for any changes in colour, texture, temperature or unusual lesions. If you are unable to reach your feet, place a mirror on the floor and access the feet from the mirror. Ask someone to help if required
- If you are concerned about changes to your nails or skin, unusual lumps or bumps, please seek advice from a podiatrist
Monthly foot care
- Everyone’s nails grow at a different rate but more people cut their nails every 4-8 weeks, using the right tools is essential. Make sure scissors or clippers are fit for purpose, clean and sharp. Ensure you can comfortably reach your feet, have good lighting and can see clearly. If you have eyesight problems it may be easier to file your nails down
- As you are cutting, follow the natural line of the nail, taking small snips. Try not to leave any sharp corners or ragged edges. Use a nail file to tidy up any rough edges after snipping. Diamond deb type nail files are excellent, they last a long time and can be rinsed after use. If you are unable to cut your nails yourself, please seek help from a Podiatrist
- File any areas of hard skin using a Diamond deb type file. If you are concerned about excessive hard skin or are concerned you have a corn or verruca, please seek advice from a podiatrist
- Check feet daily for any changes in colour, texture, temperature or unusual lesions. If you are unable to reach your feet, place a mirror on the floor and access the feet from the mirror. Ask someone to help if required
General foot care
- If you are concerned about changes to your nails or skin, unusual lumps or bumps, please seek advice from a podiatrist
- Do not use over-the-counter corn or verruca treatments unless directed to do so by a podiatrist. These contain acids and can burn your skin
- Try to wear natural fibres on the feet when looking at socks. Cotton and bamboo fibres are most popular. Ensure the sock tops do not dig into the top of the ankles or legs, this can cause long-term issues and have stockings checked
- every 6 months
- If shopping for footwear try to leave it to the afternoon as this is often when your feet are at their most swollen. Use a piece of card to draw around your foot, cut it out and take it shopping with you. This gives you a foot template for your feet
- Again, try to find natural materials in your footwear such as leather, this makes them more breathable. Footwear with lacings or Velcro is better to accommodate swelling.
- If you struggle with footwear have a chat with your GP to see if a visit to the orthoptist would be suitable for orthopaedic footwear
If you need help to take care of your feet, see a podiatrist. Make sure they are HCPC and SOCAP registered. This means they adhere to strict standards of care. For more information on how to find a podiatrist visit www.scpod.org
Advice for Podiatrists
As specialists in the feet and lower limbs, lymphoedema is a condition you may commonly see in clinic. As you may be aware, lymphoedema is a chronic, incurable condition which results in swelling. It can however be controlled with the appropriate care and management. Self- management, goal setting and rehabilitation are all core elements of the treatment of his condition and this is something podiatrists can be a part of too.
Early detection
The main causes of lymphoedema are:
- Cancer treatments
- Trauma, injury or infection
- Primary lymphoedema (abnormality in the development of the lymphastic system)
- Vascular disorders
- Obesity
- Dependency
Research indicates that obesity, age and cancer can give patients an increased risk of developing lymphoedema.
Diagnosis
If you suspect one of your patients may be at high risk of developing lymphoedema or has lymphoedema, it is imperative that you seek advice from the patient’s GP or your local lymphoedema specialist clinic. It is important to know where your local specialist centre is and find out from them the easiest way for the patient to access their services. Most of these specialist units also have support groups that your patients can access.
Self-care
Here are some simple tips for you to discuss with your patients to help them self-care for their lymphoedema:
- Moisturise feet and legs daily with a lanolin free moisturiser
- Avoid breaks and cuts
- Monitor for any signs of infection e.g. cellulitis
- Daily foot care and hygiene
- Basic nail and skin care
- Well-fitting footwear and slippers
- Exercise daily. Get the legs and feet moving! Tapping feet and dorsi-flexing/plantar- flexing helps.
- Encourage them to wear their compression garments daily. New garments should be provided every 6 months
- Self-massage can be useful and can be applied up to 3 times a week
- Deep breathing can help move the lymph
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle e.g. balanced diet, regular exercise
Education
Inform patients of the help and information available from websites such as this one and others:
Contacts for PODIATRY/Chiropody issues (in no particular order ) are:
www.scpod.org
www.iocp.org.uk
www.bcha-uk.org
www.podiatry-arena.com
If you are aware of good resources on this subject, you have good photos that you have permission to share with the world or you’re a podiatrist or chiropodist who would be willing to give us a bit of your time (for free) to check over the new material for this page, then please get in touch: rhian.noble-jones@glasgow.ac.uk or LymphoedemaScotland@gmail.com