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Corns
A small conical shaped area of hard skin which presses on underlying nerve endings, often causing severe pain. Corns usually occur on the toes or soles of the feet (plantar corns). A corn is simply an excess of skin cells in one spot due to pressure or friction on that part of the foot. Traditionally poor footwear has been held responsible for causing corns but we now know it is not as simple as this. If the foot is unstable, excessive pressure will fall on the toes and soles of the feet and the skin thickens on these areas for protection. Corns can easily be removed to give instant relief. However , if the underlying cause is not dealt with, the corn may return. At the Beehive & Brookland Foot Clinics, we specialise in dealing both with the corn AND the foot as a whole to seek long term improvement in your foot health.
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Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
Although often said to be due to poor footwear, this condition is more likely to be due to poor foot function. Incorrect stance and balance will often cause the bones of the forefoot to become distorted. Wearing orthotics (prescription insoles) in your shoes will ease the discomfort and delay the development of this condition.
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Biomechanics
At the Beehive & Brookland Foot Clinics we aim not only to give temporary relief to your foot problem, such as removing the corn or callus, but whenever possible find a permanent cure.This can only be achieved by examining the foot in detail and looking at how the foot may be failing to function correctly.
A biomechanical examination includes examining the feet in both a weightbearing and non-weightbearing situation. Angles and data of the feet and legs are taken and used to determine what is wrong and which treatment would be most beneficial
If a patients' feet are misaligned, i.e. out of line with the legs, problems may occur not only in the feet but also in the lower limb and back.
In a 'perfect' foot, the heel and leg are at right angles to the ground whilst the ball of the foot is flat against the ground. However, often the back of the foot is unstable resulting in the heel rocking inwards bringing the arch of the foot closer to the ground, a condition known as over-pronation.
As a result of this imbalance, symptoms might include :- heel pain, arch fatigue, plantar fasciatis, corns and calluses, bunions and toe deformity, leg and ankle imbalance and lower back pain.
So what can be done to correct an imbalance of the feet ? Often a plaster cast of the foot is taken to capture it's misalignment and from this a prescription insole is made, an ORTHOTIC, which when worn in the shoe offers stablity and pain relief.
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Front & rear view of an
over-pronated foot
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Ingrown Toenails
Sometimes the inner or outer edge of the nail curls and grows into the skin. Most commonly it is the 1st toe that is affected. We specialise at the surgery in permanently correcting this condition. This is achieved painlessly under local anaesthesia to produce a nail that is pain free but cosmetically acceptable.
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Verrucae and Warts
Verrucae or warts are infections of the skin commonly affecting the hands and feet. Often picked up at swimming pools and changing areas, this viral infection can often become troublesome either enlarging in size or spreading to the surrounding skin. They can become painful, particularly when found on the soles of the feet.
An example of how verrucae can develop if ignored.This large verruca had become painful making walking difficult.
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Treatment for Verrucae & Warts
At the Beehive and Brookland Foot Clinics we employ a variety of treatments for these unpleasant infections. Being a viral infection, they do not respond to antibiotic therapy.
The treatment methods used are of 3 types:-
Caustic chemicals :- often used on children or when the infection is not large or established.
Freezing or Cryotherapy :- the wart/verruca is frozen to destroy the viral cells. often has to be repeated to completely clear the infection.
Electrosurgery :- performed under local anaesthetic, the infected tissue is removed in one treatment. Being a surgical procedure, the wound takes a few weeks to heal and patients attend the surgery for after-care.Often used on large or stubborn warts that have not cleared with methods.
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Orthotics
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ORTHOTIC ?
- An orthotic is a specialised insert for the shoe manufactured to the specific measurement and angle of an individual foot.
WHY DO I NEED AN ORTHOTIC ?
* TO ALLEVIATE FOOT PAIN
* ALLOW THE FOOT TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY
- by maintaining the foot in the correct
position, it can work more effectively.
* CONTROL/CORRECT WALKING AND STANCE
ABNORMALITIES
* RELIEVE STRESSES ON THE ANKLES,LEGS
& LOWER BACK
* PROVIDE CUSHIONING AND STABILITY -
ESPECIALLY FOR ATHLETES, THOSE WORKING
ON THEIR FEET AND THE ELDERLY.
Orthotics are made to YOUR prescription, not mass produced.
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