My most asked questions as a Podiatrist

My most asked questions as a Podiatrist

Alexa answers your top 5 questions 

We see thousands of patients in clinic every year. From children, to athletes, to our elders, we’ve seen it all.

But have you ever wondered what we get asked?

As part of our brand new Q&A, this series gives you practical advice and tips on prevention and pain management, as well as a glimpse of life behind the clinic curtain! 

Kicking off our first Q&A is Podiatrist, Alexa who shares her most commonly asked questions in clinic since joining us earlier this year.

1. Is it a heel spur? Is it plantar fasciitis? 

A long time ago it was thought the cause of heel pain was from a ‘heel spur’, where there was a bony growth in the heel that caused pain with each step. This then progressed to ‘plantar fasciitis’ where there was believed to be inflammation of the plantar fascia (tissue from the sole of the heel to the toes). These days we refer to this as plantar fasciopathy, where it is believed that recurrent tissue stress leads to low level inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia. Symptoms include pain on the heel or sole of the foot with the first few steps in the morning and after rest, which dissipates when warmed up. 

The first thing you can do at home is make sure you’re wearing supportive shoes, gel heel cups and stretch your calf muscles. If pain persists with these changes, it’s important to see a Podiatrist for treatment as plantar fasciopathy can easily last for 12 months or, in some cases much longer. 

2. When I have pain in my feet, why doesn’t it go away when I rest?

There are some injuries where rest is really important – think stress fractures or muscle tears. However, most soft tissue injuries, such as tendon injuries (Achilles tendon and ‘shin splints’) will often not improve or may even get worse with rest. That is because tendons need to be loaded, the key is finding the sweet spot! 

Underload (rest) = deconditioning of the muscles /tendons

Overload (too much activity) = irritation of the tendon/flare in painful symptoms

The ‘sweet spot’ = mild pain symptoms, which reduce within 24 hours of the activity, which allow the tissue to get stronger and reduce pain.

3. Why did I get this injury?

Some injuries are very clear – there is an incident or ‘trauma’, however some injuries sneak up on us, particularly as we get older. Tissues in the body (muscles and tendons) are elastic and resilient when they are loaded, however sometimes we increase the demands (load) on our body, without allowing the body time to rest and adapt before we increase this load again.

This repeated increase can cause low level inflammation and degeneration of tissue, which over time may lead to pain. 

If you trained consistently for 6 months and could do a 20KG bicep curl, then didn’t go to the gym for 3 months, you wouldn’t go back to the gym and start trying to do 20KG bicep curls because you know you might injure yourself and be sore. It’s the same for our feet and legs!

4. Is it a verruca or is it a corn?

It is common to confuse a corn and verruca but here are some tips on how to differentiate between the two. A corn is a hard piece of skin with a glass like appearance, which will hurt when direct pressure is applied. A verruca often has a cauliflower-like appearance sometimes with little black dots and is sore when squeezed from the sides. 

Both conditions are treated by a Podiatrist. Corns are very easily removed using a scalpel, but will return over time if the pressure that caused the corn to form in the first place is not addressed.

A verruca is a virus that is often picked up in public areas (e.g. swimming pools) and requires a number of treatments using cryotherapy, strong acids or needling procedures to clear the verruca.

5. How did I get a fungal nail infection?

Fungal infections are spread through fungal spores in public settings, e.g. nail spas, swim pools, public bathrooms. Usually there is a fungal infection of the skin, called tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), which thrives in damp, dark and warm environments (inside our shoes).

If left untreated, the fungal infection can then spread to the nail, which may appear with white powdery spots or yellow-brown discolouration of the nail. It’s important to treat this ASAP, as the longer you leave the infection the harder it will be to treat it in the long term.  

A final word of advice…

Visit a podiatrist for regular check-ups, especially if you notice any changes or experience foot pain. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.

Our feet play an important role in our overall health. By paying attention to foot health, we can prevent a host of other health issues, maintain our mobility and independence, and improve our quality of life. Remember, happy feet make for a happier, healthier you! 

 Take a step towards a healthy, active life by giving your feet the care and attention they deserve. 

Visit our booking page or call our team on 020 7381 6682 to book your appointment in our Fulham or Putney clinics today.

 

We are here to help you to #TakeSteps

  • To an active recovery following injury
  • To active, healthy feet for your family
  • To a personal best
  • To an Active Life

Join the Active Life Podiatry team

Join the Active Life Podiatry team

Are you our next Podiatrist?

Active Life podiatry are proud to be setting the gold standard for London’s podiatry care. 

We also continually invest in the latest technology and equipment to provide our patients with the highest quality care. 

Opportunities often arise to work with our growing team, so please get in touch to ensure you’re front of mind.  

Experience doesn’t always matter, if you have the right ingredients, we invest in our people along with our service. 

We’re open to Podiatrist’s who:

  • Are commitment to continued learning and takes pride in their work
  • Passionate individuals with a genuine love for podiatry and patient care
  • Is an excellent communicator and enjoys working with patients and colleagues alike
  • Can work calmly under pressure and deal with issues arising in a timely and effective manner 

About us:

  • Operating since 1991, we’re one of London’s most advanced and established podiatry clinics
  • We have two sites based in Fulham and Putney 
  • We offer a flexible schedule and days can be negotiated upon application 
  • Competitive salary and benefits 

If you believe you’d be a great addition to the Active Life Podiatry team apply now by submitting your CV to info@alpodiatry.co.uk

     

     

    If you’d like to apply or find out more about joining the team, please submit your CV by emailing us.

    #TakeSteps to look after your feet

    Active Life have invested in high-tech specialist equipment and combined with their expert knowledge and technology can provide useful advice on your personal running style and how to improve.

    Join the Active Life Podiatry team

    Join the Active Life Podiatry team

    Are you our next Office Administrator?

    An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Office Administrator to join our industry leading team.

    This position is ideal for someone looking for a part-time role, enjoys working with people and being an integral part of a team.

    We’re looking for someone who:

    • Is an excellent communicator and enjoys working with patients and colleagues alike
    • Can work calmly under pressure and deal with issues arising in a timely and effective manner
    • Is naturally organised and has good attention to detail 
    • Is IT literate with basic skills in all Microsoft Office programmes

    Roles and responsibilities include:

    • Answering emails and phone calls
    • Diary management and supporting the clinical team 
    • Ordering and liaising with suppliers and deliveries
    • Filing and administration duties

    About this role:

    • Clinic based, in our Fulham Clinic 
    • 20 hours per week, hours can be negotiated upon application 
    • Competitive salary 

    If you only have some of the above, don’t let that stop you applying. Our supportive team can provide you with any necessary training.

    And, if you’re the ambitious type, career development and progression opportunities will also be available. 

    Apply now by submitting your CV to info@alpodiatry.co.uk

       

       

      If you’d like to apply or find out more about this role, please submit your CV by emailing us.

      #TakeSteps to look after your feet

      Active Life have invested in high-tech specialist equipment and combined with their expert knowledge and technology can provide useful advice on your personal running style and how to improve.

      How to get your feet Summer ready

      How to get your feet Summer ready

      Get Summer ready with Active Life

      Summer may seem a way off with all this recent rain, but it can take longer than you may think to get your feet Summer ready.

       Did you know the verruca virus can gain entry into the soles of your feet through sweat ducts. It can take anything from 2 weeks to 3 months for the verruca to visibly appear.

      And fungal nails usually start because any untreated fungus on the skin (Athletes foot) can gain entry to the nails through damage to the nail bed. Early treatment is essential to prevent nail fungus which is unsightly and difficult to treat.

       As sandal season approaches, it’s important to take care of your feet at home and in the clinic.  

      At home, soak your feet regularly in warm water for 10 – 20 minutes and giving them a little massage whilst you moisturise after will help with circulation and hydration. Keeping your toenails cut straight and not too short will help prevent ingrown toenails.   

      If you’re worried about a foot condition, talk to one of our specialists today and we can get you tip top for Summer.

      1. Your shoes matter

      Wearing flip flops, flat shoes and sandals can cause problems including plantar fasciitis due to providing no arch support. Customised flip flops offer control and support, similar (although not as effective) as an orthosis. Book in for your customised consultation today

      2. Get your skin and nails properly checked

      Holiday swimming pools can be full of nasty bacteria and infection. Prevention is better than cure and a routine appointment will put your mind at rest as well as treat any infection early 

      3. Hydrate your feet

      Apply a specialist cream regularly to treat or prevent cracked heels. For mild cases of dry skin, you can exfoliate at home, followed by a moisturising foot cream. We recommend CCS foot care and keep the clinic stocked up. You can purchase through our Parsons Green HQ 

      4. Sweaty feet can lead to infections

      The soles of our feet contain more sweat glands than any other part of our body. Sweaty feet are more prone to fungal infections which can not only be unsightly, but can be painful and itchy too. These can be treated in clinic, or with our range of products available to purchase directly over the counter

      5. Don’t forget your sunscreen

      Every year, we see lots of people with sunburnt feet. This is not only painful and can cause blistering (which makes you more prone to infection) but it can also increase your chances of skin cancer. So don’t forget your feet when you’re applying sun cream. The higher the SPF, the better!

      It’s always a good idea to get your feet checked properly. Active Life Podiatry offers a range of podiatry and chiropody treatments to keep you in top condition all year round.

      We hope you found this blog useful, but as always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give the team a call on 020 7381 6682  or complete our booking form to request a callback.



      Need a helping hand getting your feet Summer ready? View our services or head over to the booking page to book your appointment today.

      We are here to help you to #TakeSteps

      • To an active recovery following injury
      • To active, healthy feet for your family
      • To a personal best
      • To an Active Life
      National Foot Health Week

      National Foot Health Week

      Celebrating National Foot Health Week 

      National Foot Health Week is back for 2023 and runs April 17th – 23rd  

      In our lifetimes we walk an average of 115,000 miles, but our feet are one of our most neglected body parts when it comes to maintenance and care.  

      Routine podiatry is a part of regular maintenance to keep feet healthy, not just for when you are experiencing pain or discomfort. Our feet undergo a lot of stress just by carrying our bodies. If you are experiencing ongoing problems such as, dry, excessively moist skin or fungal infections then a routine podiatry appointment is for you. 

      Podiatry appointments should be thought of like an annual eye test.  

      We can treat existing conditions and help with pain management, advise on lifestyle adjustments to promote foot health, check and recommend appropriate footwear, spot potential issues early and prevent future problems. 

      Did you know feet problems can indicate other underlying health problems so it is important we take care of our feet and see a podiatrist as we would with any other body part and specialist.  

      What you can do for National Foot Health Week 

      • Book an appointment with your chosen Active Life Podiatrist  
      • Book or encourage your family and children to get their annual foot health check 
      • Talk to your friends, relatives or colleagues about your experience  
      • Refer Active Life Podiatry to your friends and claim 10% off your next Routine appointment*  
      • Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for tips on how to look after your feet 
      • Share your experience at Active Life Podiatry by leaving us a Google review.  

      Things to look out for  

      Some common conditions we see in clinic that can grow worse if left untreated are: 

      • Athlete’s foot  
      • Corns and calluses  
      • Ingrown toenails 
      • Chilblains 
      • Rheumatoid arthritis 
      • Verrucae  
      • Gout  

      Why not add National Foot Health Week to your calendar as your annual reminder to get your feet checked.  

      We look forward to seeing you in clinic soon. 

       

      *Subject to availability and excludes treatments with John   

       

      Whether it’s a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis or a pain management plan, our experts are on hand to help. You don’t have to go fast, you just have to go. Let us help you get there.

      #TakeSteps to look after your feet

      Active Life have invested in high-tech specialist equipment and combined with their expert knowledge and technology can provide useful advice on your personal running style and how to improve.