Routine Nail Care

Nail growth is continuous throughout life, with peak rates of growth in the 10-14 year old group, with a steady decline in growth rate after the age of 20. Therefore periodic cutting is necessary, and incorrect performance of this task leads to ingrowing toe nails, one of the most painful conditions affecting nails.

Ingrowing Toenails Including Nail Surgery

In cases of severe persist ingrowing toenails a minor surgical procedure to permanently remove the nail is appropriate. This is performed under local anaesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour. Total healing should occur 4-6 weeks later; however dressings do need to be worn throughout this period.

Corns

Corns occur as a result of a concentrated intermittent pressure and can occur on the toes or soles of the feet. Typical causes include tight fitting footwear, deformity and dysfunction of the foot. Treatment involves removal of the corn’s nuclei and reduction of the pressure causing the corn formation.

Callus

Callus is an area of thickened skin that can become painful. Common causes are excessive pressure and friction. Treatment of callus involves removal by scalpel followed by pressure reducing padding/insoles and footwear advice.

Verrucas

Verrucae or warts represent one of the most common viral infections of the skin. Treatment is dependant on the site and number of verrucas combined with the age of the patient, previous treatment and any underlying medical conditions. Treatments used at Footprints include a range of chemical therapy.

Biomechanical Assessments

Biomechanics is the study of human movement and locomotion by assessing joints, muscle groups, posture and walking. This establishes the causes of back, hip, knee and foot pain. We use our very own treadmill to video your gait cycle which then allows to assess and identify any areas that could be improved by orthotic correction.

Orthotics

If any necessary correction is identified during your Biomechanical assessment, then bespoke custom made orthotics, to correct your walking and re- align your joints, may be recommended. These are to be worn daily within normal footwear.

Fungal infection advice

The most common fungal infections of the skin are those which occur on the feet. Footwear creates the necessary conditions of moisture and warmth between the toes, and communal activity permits the spread of infection. Fungus is also capable of invading nails. In order to confirm a diagnosis and identify the type of fungus examination of nail and skin scrapings will be taken. This enables commencement of oral treatment and or topical treatment.

Diabetic Foot Management

The foot in diabetes can be affected by loss of sensation and circulatory changes with or without additional problems from trauma and infection causing potentially serious foot problems. It is therefore essential that people with diabetes follow a good foot care programme, know how to recognise and deal with areas of high risk and undergo annual neurological and vascular assessment.

Warm Wax Therapy Treatment

Paraffin wax heat therapy increases blood flow, tolerance for pain, relaxes muscles and increases hydration in the skin. Intended to moisturise and soften the skin while providing a therapeutic and healing effect to sore and aching joints. Making it particularly beneficial for those suffering from arthritis and rheumatic pain.

Dr.’s Remedy Nail Polish

What makes Dr.’s Remedy unique is that it is enriched with a special blend of ingredients selected by Podiatrists. This blend includes tea-tree oil, garlic bulb extract, lavender, wheat protein and vitamins C and E. The collection includes many luxurious nail colours as well as nail care solutions, which can minimise the appearance of dry brittle nails, hydrate nail cuticles and improve the wear-time of your nail colour. Dr.’s Remedy is vegan friendly and contains a range of organic ingredients in its special formulation with the benefit of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene and DBP.  

RL Sports & Injury Rehabilitation

Needing more of a deep sports massage due to injury? Or an acupuncture treatment? Rebecca Waller, our sports and rehabilitation therapist is the woman you need! She offers many therapies including;

• Sports Massage

• Medical Acupuncture

• Hot Stone Therapy

• Warm Bamboo Massage

• Musculoskeletal Injury Assessment

• Rehabilitation

• Exercise Prescription