What happens on my first visit?
At MyFoot Rehab, our chiropodist/foot specialist offer a wide range of podiatric treatments to help make your feet happy. Your initial consultation will take approximately 30-45 minutes. During this appointment, we will get to know a little about you and any concerns you have about your feet. Our chiropodist will carry out a full assessment - examining your feet, skin, nails, neurovasular assessment and biomechanical assessment . Based on the type of foot aliment you are suffering, the according treatment will be provided during your initial visit such as nail care, skin care, prescription, laser treatment and etc. The session will end with a detailed ongoing treatment plan and any questions you have will be answered.
Following the treatment, a return appointment can be booked to help ensure you keep your feet pain free and in the best condition possible.
Following the treatment, a return appointment can be booked to help ensure you keep your feet pain free and in the best condition possible.
Common foot conditions
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FeeChiropody assessment and treatment are covered by most insurance plan under chiropody/podiatry. We can either provide a receipt at the end of your treatment so that you can get it reimbursed by your insurance; or we can directly bill your insurance company.
Please bring your extended health plan benefit policies so our staff can explain any questions your may have regarding fee payment. |
What Are Fungal Nails?
Fungus grows in dark and damp areas; so the feet and nails are the ideal grounds for it to grow. A fungal nail infection is very common and can spread very easily. Unfortunately it is very hard to treat when it is in the nail.
What You Might Experience:
They tend not to cause any pain therefore a lot of people will leave it alone however, as they become thicker and the fungus spreads then this is when treatment may be required. Fungal nails can be treated by prescribed topital anti-fungal medication and/or oral anti-fungal medication. Laser therapy is also commonly used to help clear the infection.
Fungus grows in dark and damp areas; so the feet and nails are the ideal grounds for it to grow. A fungal nail infection is very common and can spread very easily. Unfortunately it is very hard to treat when it is in the nail.
What You Might Experience:
- Brittle, thickened and discoloured (yellow and white patches) nails
- Affects a small amount of nail, however can spread to the whole nail including the nail bed of all toe
They tend not to cause any pain therefore a lot of people will leave it alone however, as they become thicker and the fungus spreads then this is when treatment may be required. Fungal nails can be treated by prescribed topital anti-fungal medication and/or oral anti-fungal medication. Laser therapy is also commonly used to help clear the infection.
What Is An Ingrown Toenail?
This is a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toes but can occur on the smaller nails too. They can be very painful and sometimes result in a development of hypergranulation tissue. This is a bulbous growth of skin which is very vascular so bleeds very easily. Once this has developed it will not shrink until the offending part of nail is cleared or removed.
What You Might Experience:
As it is an open wound; this is a port for bacteria to grow therefore an infection is highly likely in an ingrown toenail. When an infection is present, antibiotics will need to be prescribed. This will resolve the infection however; the nail will still be problematic and ingrown. An appointment with a chiropodist is essential to treat the nail and prevent recurrent infections.
This is a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toes but can occur on the smaller nails too. They can be very painful and sometimes result in a development of hypergranulation tissue. This is a bulbous growth of skin which is very vascular so bleeds very easily. Once this has developed it will not shrink until the offending part of nail is cleared or removed.
What You Might Experience:
- Pain, redness and odour
- Inflammation of the skin
- White or yellow pus coming from the affected area
As it is an open wound; this is a port for bacteria to grow therefore an infection is highly likely in an ingrown toenail. When an infection is present, antibiotics will need to be prescribed. This will resolve the infection however; the nail will still be problematic and ingrown. An appointment with a chiropodist is essential to treat the nail and prevent recurrent infections.
What Are Corns And Callus?
Callus is an area of thickened, hard skin that may appear yellowish in colour. It can occur in a number of places on the foot, commonly on the heel or an area of pressure. If the pressure continues to build on this area this may result in a corn. A corn is a cone shape of hard skin that impinges into the skin.
What You Might Experience:
Treatment for thickened callous and corns will need to carried by a chiropodist where a sharp blade will be used to remove the thickened skin. This is a painless procedure and will reduce pain and discomfort instantly. It is also beneficial to apply padding or insoles to relieve pressure, or fitting corrective appliance for long-term relief. Emollient creams delay callus building up and help improve the skin's natural elasticity. Sometimes topical medication may be applied to slow down the re-growth of corns.
Callus is an area of thickened, hard skin that may appear yellowish in colour. It can occur in a number of places on the foot, commonly on the heel or an area of pressure. If the pressure continues to build on this area this may result in a corn. A corn is a cone shape of hard skin that impinges into the skin.
What You Might Experience:
- Callus: Thickened, hard skin which will appear yellow in colour
- Corns: Thickened, hard skin with a central area. Can cause a ‘sharp shooting pain’
Treatment for thickened callous and corns will need to carried by a chiropodist where a sharp blade will be used to remove the thickened skin. This is a painless procedure and will reduce pain and discomfort instantly. It is also beneficial to apply padding or insoles to relieve pressure, or fitting corrective appliance for long-term relief. Emollient creams delay callus building up and help improve the skin's natural elasticity. Sometimes topical medication may be applied to slow down the re-growth of corns.
What Are Verrucaes?
Verrucaes or warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is highly contagious through direct person to person contact. It is most common in children and teenagers and can appear as a single verrucae or a cluster. The virus is thought to thrive in moist, damp environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas. It is possible to contract verrucae simply by walking across the same floor area as someone with a verruca, especially if you have any small or invisible cuts or abrasions that make it easier for the virus to penetrate.
What You Might Experience:
If it is not painful, sometimes we would suggest to let the body build up a resistance to the virus and destroy it. However, if it is painful, unsightly or spreading then an appointment with a chiropodist will be needed to assess for treatment. This may include:
How Can I Prevent Them?
It may take a long time for the verrucae to completely go therefore patience and dedication is needed if you start a verrucae treatment regime.
Verrucaes or warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is highly contagious through direct person to person contact. It is most common in children and teenagers and can appear as a single verrucae or a cluster. The virus is thought to thrive in moist, damp environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas. It is possible to contract verrucae simply by walking across the same floor area as someone with a verruca, especially if you have any small or invisible cuts or abrasions that make it easier for the virus to penetrate.
What You Might Experience:
- An area of thickened skin with small black dots in the centre
- The area can be painful on pinching the area rather than on direct pressure
If it is not painful, sometimes we would suggest to let the body build up a resistance to the virus and destroy it. However, if it is painful, unsightly or spreading then an appointment with a chiropodist will be needed to assess for treatment. This may include:
- Topical treatments, which are stronger than regular ‘over the counter’ (OTC) treatments from your local pharmacy
- Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the verruca with liquid nitrogen
- Laser surgery, particularly for larger areas of verrucae
- Needling, where the entire area of the verruca is pricked with a needle to stimulate the body's immune system
How Can I Prevent Them?
- Avoid touching or scratching the verrucae as it will spread
- Wearing shoes or at least flip-flops in communal areas
- Do not share towels, shoes and socks
It may take a long time for the verrucae to completely go therefore patience and dedication is needed if you start a verrucae treatment regime.
What Is Athletes Foot?
Athletes Foot is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Most commonly found on the feet as this provides the ideal condition for fungus to grow. Typically athlete’s foot occurs between the toes as fungus thrives in damp areas. It is very contagious and can spread quite quickly; passing from person to person through contaminated towels, footwear etc.
What You Might Experience:
A prescribed antifungal spray or cream will have to be applied to the affected area daily. Advice will also be given on how to stop the infection from returning in the future.
How Can I Prevent It?
The most important tip for preventing athlete's foot is to ensure your feet are completely dry after washing them and before you put your shoes and socks on. However, there are many things you can do to make your feet less hospitable to fungal infections:
Athletes Foot is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Most commonly found on the feet as this provides the ideal condition for fungus to grow. Typically athlete’s foot occurs between the toes as fungus thrives in damp areas. It is very contagious and can spread quite quickly; passing from person to person through contaminated towels, footwear etc.
What You Might Experience:
- Itchiness between the toes which can be red and raw looking
- The foot can appear to be dry, with an itchy flaky type rash.
- The foot can also appear to be moist, waterlogged peeling skin.
A prescribed antifungal spray or cream will have to be applied to the affected area daily. Advice will also be given on how to stop the infection from returning in the future.
How Can I Prevent It?
The most important tip for preventing athlete's foot is to ensure your feet are completely dry after washing them and before you put your shoes and socks on. However, there are many things you can do to make your feet less hospitable to fungal infections:
- change your socks daily
- change your footwear on a regular basis
- If your shoes are so tight that they squeeze your toes together, this encourages moisture and hence fungus to gather between your toes. Allow air to circulate between the toes by going for a wider, deeper toe box instead and choose shoes made from natural materials
- wear flip-flops in the bathroom and in public showers
- never wear anyone else's footwear
Diabetes is a disease in which your body has a high level of glucose in your circulation (hyperglycaemia). Chronically uncontrolled level of blood glucose can cause damages to the blood vessels and nerves in the body, especially the lower extremities, which can result with poor circulation and loss of feeling in the feet. Due to this, people with diabetes have a slower healing rate and a higher chance of getting an infection in a wound. It is therefore important to prevent any unnecessary wounding to the feet.
Tips for healthy diabetic feet:
Tips for healthy diabetic feet:
- You should check your feet daily looking for signs of redness, swelling, heat and discharge. If this is present then contact your GP or chiropodist as soon as possible.
- Never walk around in bare feet.
- Wear shoes that fit well and don’t squeeze or rub. Ill-fitting shoes can cause corns and callous, ulcers and toenail problems.
- Be careful when cutting toe nails and don’t cut down the sides as this encourages in-growing toenails. If you cannot bend or have poor eyesight we would advise you to see a chiropodist.
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