Podiatry / Chiropody

WHAT IS PODIATRY?

Podiatry is the internationally recognised name for Chiropody. A Podiatrist will carry out exactly the same treatments as a Chiropodist but with a few extra additions. Podiatry as the profession is known as has expanded in it’s role over the last 10-15 years, with more and more Podiatrists taking up specialisms, such as Diabetes, Rheumatology, Foot Surgery for Bunions, Hammer toes, ingrown toe nails, Musculo-Skeletal disorders,Sports injuries, Homoeopathy, Acupuncture etc…A Podiatrist who has specialized in one of these areas has usually undertaken Post Graduate training, or gained knowledge through experience. Podiatrists are usually HCPC Registered, which means they have undertaken a 3 year Degree in Podiatric Medicine and can be identified with the letters BSc (Hons) PodM, and HCPC after their name, a Podiatric surgeon also has Pod(Surg) after his/her name. HCPC registration is the only Government recognised Certificate accepted by the NHS.

MARTIN VINE

Martin is a HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) Registered Podiatrist with over 24 years experience. He has worked in a variety of settings from NHS Outpatients, GP Surgeries, Homes etc.. to Private practice. He has Post Graduate training in Biomechanics & Homeopathy, and extensive experience with Diabetes, Rheumatology, Musculo-Skeletal conditions, Children, Vascular & Neurological conditions . In May 2014 Martin became one of only a handful of Podiatrists to complete a course in Dermal fillers and botulinum injections for the treament of: Racalcitrant corns and callous where the tissue and skin has worn down so much that patients terrible discomfort and pain, especially under the balls of the feet, dermal fillers put back volume and help encourage new collagen growth so that the skin has an internal cushion like a pillow. Botulinum toxins although sounding scary are used in such small doses that they are completely safe, and a very successful treatment for the use of excessive sweating and muscle spasm conditions or tightness. In 2015 Martin also completed a course in Ankle Mobilisations which uses the Maitland technique formulated from Osteopathic and Physiotherapy. This technique uses gentle movement in graded Oscillations to restore full joint, tissue, ligament, neurological and tendon function, and is particularly good for old injuries, mechanical dysfunction, sports injuries etc.. Martin has now combined Podiatric Acupuncture for a much more effective outcome and can honestly claim over 80%+ success rate within 4 to 6 weeks. He has treated Dancers, Runners, Golfers, Footballers, Tennis players and many others..

Since qualifying in 1995 Martin and has successfully treated many painful conditions arising from the foot & leg, these include:

Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Big Toe Joint pain.
Metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma and other digital Neuritis.
Achilles Tendonitis, Chronic and acute ankle pain, ankle and knee instability.
Pain associated with Hammer, Claw, Retracted, mallet and missing toes.
Shin Splints, Knee pain.
Tibialis syndromes (anterior and posterior).
Post-fracture pain, post-cast pain, post-infection pain, restless leg syndrome.
Intermittent- claudication, cramps, scars.
Arthritis and sometimes rheumatoid & aching feet with no other symptoms.
Low Back Pain.
Hip Pain.
Sciatic Nerve Pain.
Arch Pain.
Groin Strain.
Ingrown Toe nails
Verrucae
Fungal Nails.

ARCH PAIN

Arch Pain (often referred to as Arch Strain) is an inflammation and/or burning sensation at the arch of the foot.

There are many different factors that can cause Arch Pain. A structural imbalance or an injury to the foot can often be the direct cause. However, most frequently the cause is a condition called Plantar Fascitis.

The Plantar Fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the forefoot. Plantar Fascitis is caused by excessive stretching of the Plantar Fascia usually due to overpronation (flat feet).

The inflammation caused by the Plantar Fascia being stretched away from the heel leads to pain in the heel and arch areas. The pain is often extreme in the morning when an individual first gets out of bed or after a prolonged period of rest.

If this condition is left untreated and strain on the longitudinal arch continues a bony protrusion may develop known as a Heel Spur. It is important to treat the condition promptly before it worsens.

HEEL PAIN AND PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Heel pain is a common condition in which weight bearing on the heel causes extreme discomfort. Foot mechanics play an important role in how the condition develops or improves.

There are three different categories of heel pain, the first is caused by an over-use repetitive stress which refers to a soreness resulting from too much impact on a specific area of the foot.

This condition often referred to as ‘bruised heel syndrome’ can be caused from shoes with heels that are too low, a thinned out fat pad in the heel area, or from a sudden increase in activity, or bruising. Rest is often the best form of treatment for this.

PLANTAR FASCITIS

A more common diagnosis of heel pain, is usually caused from a biomechanical problem such as over-pronation (flat feet). The Plantar Fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel through the mid foot and into the forefoot.

Over-pronation can cause the Plantar Fascia to be excessively stretched and inflamed resulting in pain in the heel and arch areas of the foot. Often the pain will be most intense first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest, the pain will gradually subside as the day progresses.

Conservative treatment using triple therapy is very successfully.

This involves orthoses to support and rest the plantar fascia, posterior leg splints to be worn at night to apply a gentle stretch and stimulate healing.

In difficult cases an injection to reduce inflamation will form the third part of the triple therapy. In rare cases surgery may be considered.

Heel pain in children under the age of approximately 13 may be due to Plantar Fascitis. However it may also be due to a condition known as Sever’s Disease. This occurs in children who are very active in sports and who have regular and large growth spurts. Pain is usually present at all time from the outset and is evident all around the heel. The heel may also show signs of redness, some swelling and warmth. This condition is caused by an inflammation of the bone and cartilage. The use of orthoses and leg splints helps considerably and in severe cases applying a below knee plaster cast has been advocated.

For further details on treating these conditions, and Prices please contact The Clinic on 020 8387 9910.

Please note that the prices at the Laboratory Spa Health in Mill Hill on a Saturday are higher than those at the Venue because of the increased costs associated with it.