Common Foot Problems

CORNS AND CALLUSES

These are a thickening of the outer layer of your skin. They are often, but not always, painful. The most common cause is pressure - perhaps from footwear or a boney prominence in your foot. This means that they can appear anywhere - on the top, the underneath or in-between your toes or on the bottoms or sides of your feet. Sometimes callused heels can crack which can be very painful.

Corns and calluses are treated by gently debriding the area with a scalpel. This is generally a painless procedure and the symptoms resolve very quickly. If they recur often then the cause may need to be addressed - footwear changes, insoles, orthoses, creams, silicon devices or paddings can all help.

NAIL PROBLEMS

We see all sorts of nail problems! They can be difficult to cut if they are thick or brittle … or just too far away. Sometimes they can be very painful if they are deformed, ingrown or if they have a blister or corn underneath them. Fungal nail infections can also cause trouble.

Nail problems can be easily treated by a podiatrist with the right experience and equipment. Treatment is generally pain-free. We can also offer nail surgery to patients with recurrent nail problems, for example, ingrowing toenails.

VERRUCAE

These are caused by a virus. They are the same as a wart but look different because they get pushed inwards. They are not always painful and might go away on their own. Patients often seek treatment if they become unsightly or painful.

Verrucae are notoriously difficult to treat. We offer many treatments - cryotherapy, acid treatments, verruca needling, referral for surgery, advice on home treatments or merely debriding them occasionally.

THE DIABETIC FOOT

Podiatrists see a lot of people with diabetes. The increased sugar in the body can affect the way the nerves and blood vessels work, as well as delaying healing and increasing the risk of infection. This means that a small injury can quickly become something more complicated.

We can assess your foot health; checking your sensation and circulation as well as identifying any risk factors unique to your foot. We will give you advice and treatment to reduce the likelihood of complications such as ulcers.

HEEL PAIN AND PLANTAR FASCIITIS

We see this a lot! Typically, plantar fasciitis will be worst first thing in the morning and after rest, and be aggravated by lots of walking. Flat feet, tight muscles and a sudden increase in activity can all bring this on.

This is something that needs to be treated ASAP - the longer it carries on, the longer it takes to get better. Treatment might include rest, icing, stretches, massage, insoles, orthoses, splints or steroid injections.

FLAT OR PRONATED FEET

Flat feet are very common and don’t always cause problems. Orthoses can be helpful to correct the foot posture, particularly with pain that is made worse by increased weight bearing activity. Pain commonly occurs in the foot and lower leg, but we also work with other health professionals such as physiotherapists and osteopaths to address pain in the thigh, hip and back.

HIGH ARCHED OR SUPINATED FEET

High arches typically lack flexibility and the body’s natural shock absorption, and because of this often cause problems. Treatment might include a change in footwear, cushioned insoles or custom made orthoses to improve foot function.

MORTON'S NEUROMA

If the balls of your feet are painful or you get shooting pains running into your toes or into your foot, you might have a neuroma. This is when a nerve gets pinched between the joints in the ball of your foot.

Treatment might include rest, footwear advice, padding, simple insoles, orthoses, steroid injections or referral for a surgical opinion. Have a look here for an information sheet on neuromas.