Podiatry Care for Senior Citizens

Podiatry care service for Senior Citizens

Ageing brings a lot of health issues. Some of them need special treatment, while others can be controlled with simple and regular care. Foot problems are one of the most common health issues for seniors. Routine foot care will help them to get rid of these issues and stay mobile. However, you are suggested to look for reliable podiatry care for seniors if the problem is severe.

Common Foot Care Tips for Seniors

Keep Feet Clean: It is highly required to keep the feet clean to maintain good foot hygiene. Their feet must be washed and cleaned at least once a week to prevent bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Moisturise Feet: Ageing makes skin dry, and dry skin is more prone to flaking, cracking and breaking. Older adults must use good quality moisturisers or foot lotion on their feet to keep them soft and supple.

Trim Nails: Ingrown toenails can be a challenging issue for older adults. If they cannot cut their nails independently, the family members or the carers must trim their nails to avoid infections and pain.

Monitor Sores: Foot heels are one of the most common areas for getting bedsores. If you or your family cannot get up from bed, you are suggested to keep an eye on them for monitoring sores. If necessary, then call out for an expert’s opinion.

Visit the Experts: If you think that the condition is getting worse and you need some expert advice, never hesitate to visit a certified podiatrist who can offer the right podiatry care to seniors. They will check their feet to diagnose the issue and provide the proper treatment.

At John the Footman, we offer podiatry care for people of all ages, including seniors. We can even do home visits to provide the treatment if the person cannot come to our clinic.

Please get in touch with our team for more information.

Common Foot Conditions for Sportspersons

Podiatrists

The foot is one of the most common body parts that can get injured due to sports participation be it a minor or a major injury. You should consult certified and experienced podiatrists whenever you experience any of these issues. At John The Footman, we specialize in all areas of sports foot injuries.

Most Common Foot Issues for Sports Enthusiasts

Hamstring Injuries: Getting injuries in the hamstring muscle is common. Sports like cricket, football, volleyball or badminton demand constant and vigorous leg movement, which can cause such issues. You need to visit your podiatrist and get suggestions about exercises and pain-relief medicines.

Runner’s Knee: Patellofemoral stress syndrome is commonly known as runner’s knee. In this particular condition, your knee cap rubs against your thigh bone whenever you run or walk fast. This is a common symptom for runners and athletes. Your doctor may suggest customised foot orthotics to heal this condition and keep your knees in their correct position.

Plantar Fasciitis: This one is common not only for sportspersons but for dancers as well. Feeling pain, discomfort and inflammation in a dense band of your tissue are collectively known as the plantar fascia. One can feel the pain from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot.

Stress Fractures: Athletes and sportspersons can have injuries and small cracks in bones. Regular and excessive foot movement or stress can cause such fracture. You can see this type of fracture in runners’ midfoot bones.

No matter what type of injury you have, consulting a certified and licensed podiatrist is recommended for treatment and long-lasting relief.

The experts will examine your foot condition and diagnose the problem. Next, they will offer you the right treatment, which includes exercises, medicine and other therapies.

At John the Footman, we offer a range of examinations and treatments for sports injuries. Please get in touch with us to know all the details.

Common Signs Indicating That You Should Visit a Podiatrist

Podiatrist

A certified and experienced podiatrist offers treatments to people with different foot problems.  It can be foot pain, strains, stiffness or other types of complaints.

Apart from the obvious reasons like injuries or diabetes, you should be aware of the common signs indicating that your foot needs the care of an expert.

Most Common Symptoms of Foot Issues

  • Pain, Swelling and Numbness:

    You can have foot pain, swelling or numbness after sitting in one position for long hours or standing on your feet all day. This is normal. But, if you experience sudden and unexplained pain, stiffness, and numbness in one foot, you should consider it as a sign of a serious health issue and try consulting a podiatrist.

  • Nail Fungus:

    If you notice pain in toenails due to a fungus infection, you must book a trip to your nearest podiatry clinic.

  • Prolonged Heel Pain:

    People experiencing continuous heel pain for an extended period should not neglect it. They must book an appointment with a reliable and experienced podiatrist to know the reason for this issue and get proper treatment.

  • Bunions:

    The growth of a bony bump outside the big toe joint can be extremely painful. The podiatrist will suggest an X-ray to know the cause of such growth. Then, he can suggest the right treatment depending upon the type and size of your bunions.

John the Footman is a part of Advanced Footcare Group located in Dorking. We offer comprehensive foot care services to patients with different types of foot issues. We also offer custom made orthotic insoles to match your needs.

3 Easy Foot Care Tips By Podiatrists For Diabetic Patients

Foot Clinic

If you think that the only responsibility of a diabetic patient is to control their blood sugar levels, this is not the case. Not everyone is aware of the fact that diabetics can have a devastating effect on your body, including your feet. If you want to keep it protected and reduce the risk of an infection, get in touch with an experienced podiatrist. They will assess the condition of your feet and share a few easy foot care tips to avoid any complication. They will also let you know whether the foot care products available in the market will irritate your skin or increase the risk of infection.

Few Foot Care Tips For Diabetic Patients

  • Inspect Your Feet Everyday

Take a closer look at your feet and check whether there is any crack, wound or sore. If you can’t see your feet clearly, place a mirror below your feet or ask your friend to do a visual inspection and inform you if they notice a sore or cracks. Nerve damage is very common among diabetic patients which can lead to cracks and sores in your feet. If you ever notice that the skin has become cracked or dry or there is a change in its colour, it’s time to visit a podiatrist.

  • Don’t Test Water Temperature With Your Feet

If you have the tendency to check whether the bath water is too hot or cold using your feet. Neuropathy or nerve damage might make your feet less sensitive to temperature. You might not even realise that the hot water is scalding your skin before it’s too late. Severe damages in your feet like burns and blisters can even increase the risk of a foot infection. If you want to check the water temperature in the bathtub or shower, use your elbow and not your feet.

  • Avoid Staying Barefoot

Every trained podiatrist will advice diabetic patients to avoid walking barefoot, irrespective of whether they are walking inside or outside their home. Choose shoes which will cover your feet completely and reduce the chances of penetration by splinters, small cuts or scrapes. Neuropathy makes diabetic patients incapable of noticing these damages until they become infected.

These being said, it’s time every diabetic patient starts following the tips stated above and visit a podiatrist at fixed intervals.

Prepare Your Feet for the Summer

foot clinic

As summer arrives, it is time to put on your sandals and head out in the sun. Footcare is something most of us often neglect during the winter season. Everyone forgets to take proper care of their skin and most importantly, their feet. If you regularly visit a foot clinic, it will help you to take care of various issues.

There are specific issues that individuals regularly face during the summer days. In this post, we will discuss some helpful tips to take care of your feet during this season.

Footwear

During summer we prefer to opt for the flip flops and sandals. After the winters, there are changes in our footwear. Hardened skin may form around the heels and make an extra padded and protective area in the winter season. This is missing in the summer season. Hardened skin that provides more support and stability to the feet. However, excessive rubbing and movement can give rise to corns and blisters to your feet.

So, it is crucial to find a shoe that is comfortable to wear during summer. If you are out for a long time, do opt for some footwear with better comfort.

Verruca

Verruca is most common during a warm and moist climate. When humidity increases, Verruca becomes more prevalent. They are most common among children. We will suggest you go to a clinic and get proper treatment for it.

Fungal nails

There is a specific fungus that sticks to the skin. These are called Dermatophytes. During fungal infection, these dermatophytes increase in number. Fungal infections in the nail, nail trauma, and increase in nail temperature, are common during this season.

These can be treated through various home remedies such as snakeroot extract, tea tree oil, oregano oil, olive leaf extract, vinegar, and so on. But it is always better to contact a foot clinic and book an appointment with the experts.

Nail polish

Polishing the nail is a natural process that helps to beautify the nails. But you may be unaware of the fact that this may lead to many skin problems such as fungal infections.

It is never a good idea to cover the infected parts with nail polish again. It is always a better option to visit a podiatrist if such an issue occurs.

It’s time to pamper your feet with these easy tricks. Yes, keeping them in the best condition is difficult.

Do contact a podiatrist to get the most reliable foot care services. John the Footman offers a fantastic package for all types of foot care treatments that you may need.

Visit a reputed foot clinic and keep your feet happy!

Visiting A Foot Clinic? 3 Skills To Look For In A Podiatrist

foot clinic

Though there are numerous foot clinics, it is always advisable to choose one where there is an experienced podiatrist to deal with the issues in your feet.  A podiatrist has the experience and expertise required to assess the condition of your feet before suggesting the most suitable treatment. They specialise in healing foot injuries or diseases which are affecting your foot or can do so in the future.

Few Skills Every Podiatrist Should Possess

  • Analytical Skills

Some of the foot problems are indeed very complicated. There are even a few situations when minor issues become complex when ignored. A good podiatrist is someone who possesses a high level of analytic skills.  They often use scientific principles while analysing the problem in your foot. Having good analytical skills is a must if you are looking for long-lasting solutions. Gauging this skill in your podiatrist will become easier if you consider the types of questions they are asking you during the first visit.

  • Pay Attention To Details

Your podiatrist electing the most suitable treatment plan for your foot will become easier if your podiatrist goes through your previous medical history first. It is necessary to determine the actual cause of the problem and how to treat it. There are high chances for a new foot problem to emerge while they are treating an existing problem. The more detail-oriented services your podiatrist can provide, finding the most suitable solution will be easier for them. He should also pay close attention to what his patient is saying.

Since you are now aware of all the vital skills a podiatrist should possess, it’s time you visit a reputed foot clinic.

Podiatrist in Aldershot

Podiatrist in Aldershot
Doctor who diagnoses and treats foot problems or foot-related ailments is called a podiatrist. These professionals are also known as the doctor of podiatric medicine or DPM. They basically treat your foot, ankle, as well as the other connecting parts of the leg. A chiropodist is another name that we commonly use for these professionals.

When to Meet a Podiatrist

Since they are the foot doctors, you need to see them whenever you have issues in your foot, ankle or the foot joints. A podiatrist in Aldershot will check your foot, diagnose and offer you the right treatment.  When visting a reliable and experienced chiropodist for a  diagnosis, they may suggest some clinical tests to find out what causes the pain or the discomfort in your foot or ankle.

The Most Common Problems Related to Foot conditions:

  • Warts
  • Corns
  • Nail infections
  • Smelly feet
  • Blisters
  • Heel pain
  • Heel spurs
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Dry skin
  • Cracked heel
  • Calluses
  • Flat Feet
  • Arthritis
  • Sprains
  • Neuromas
  • Hammer’s toes
  • Foot injuries
  • Muscle or foot ligament pain
When you are experiencing any of these problems in your foot, you should consider this as a sign that you need to meet a certified podiatrist. Apart from these common issues, there are other severe and specific feet ailments that a certified podiatrist can treat and heal.
  • Walking patterns
  • Wound care
  • Ulcers
  • Tumours
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Bunion removal
  • Flexible casts
  • Amputations
  • Foot prosthetics
Apart from all these issues, you can visit a podiatrist to understand and know how to take good care of your feet. Especially if you are a dancer, an athlete or a person who needs to use his or her foot frequently for their profession, then it is necessary to take good care of them. A certified and experienced foot doctor can help you with this. Whenever you need to meet a professional foot doctor, come to John the Footman. We offer different types of treatments and care for your foot.

5 Typical Foot Problems and Their Treatments

foot care clinic

A foot constitutes one of the essential parts of your body. That’s the reason when the feet get affected by some ailment or injury then it becomes seemingly challenging to cope up with it. Feet are meant for walking, and so it comes in direct contact with dust, dirt, and germs to a great extent. There are many more elements that can create trouble for your feet. Some of the popular reasons being infection, bone disorders, stress in the muscle, and so on. They cause excessive difficulty to carry on with the primary function of the feet. When such a condition arises, visit a podiatrist or a chiropodist, a healthcare professional dealing with the stream of podiatric medicine or treatment of ailments and injuries associated with the foot.  You can use the service in any of the reputed foot clinics in and around the UK. Here is a short overview of a few typical foot problems.

Five common foot conditions that people suffer from and their treatments

Diabetic Foot: 

This is a severe condition occurring to people with a long history of Diabetes Mellitus. The person suffering from this ailment is unable to feel the sensation in their feet. It takes longer to treat wounds, and that’s the reason they get prone to infection more. Even if the surgery takes place in the feet, then also the situation might turn severe and so it is essential to visit a podiatrist at the earliest whenever a symptom related to sensation has occurred.

Flat Foot: 

This is another common problem caused due to the wrong shape of the feet. When the feet do not have a defined arch in the middle part, then the entire sole of the feet keep on touching the ground as one walks. This lead to a painful and irritable condition. The pain might extend to other parts of the body, such as knees, calf muscles, and even to hips and lower back. Visit a foot clinic, and a chiropodist will guide you with the exercises and solutions like wearing ankle braces or proper insole shoes to control the pain and inflammation if any.

Bunion: 

This is the bumpy joint caused due to the big toe pushing against the second toe. The bump tends to get sored and red causing pain. If someone continuously wears tight shoes with a narrow tip, then this problem is more likely to occur. It can be a hereditary consequence as well, but in both cases, it is excessively painful. Wearing shoes fitting well, padding the shoes or putting in shoe inserts can relieve the pain. The advice of a podiatrist should be taken at the earliest and choosing the right medicine can eliminate the problem.

Foot Corn: 

It is the commonest of all foot problems. Everyone must have foot corns once in his/her life.  The corns occur on the sole of the feet or between toes. They mainly occur due to long walks or misfit shoes.  You can get rid of them with little care and medication.

Athlete’s Foot: 

This is a problem caused by a fungal infection. This is a contagious disease, and so it is not right to use the shoes and socks of a person suffering from this disease. This is a disease that commonly affects athletes and active people.

John the Footman is one of the renowned foot clinics offering long term respite from the common foot problems. Their experienced team of podiatrists will not only provide the perfect treatment but will also guide you with a schedule of aftercare so that the diseases don’t come back in future.

Know More About Bunions Before Approaching A Podiatrist

Foot Clinic

If a bump has developed on the side of your big toe, get in touch with experienced podiatrists and they will let you know whether it is a bunion. Bunions generally occur due to abnormality of the foot bone, which prevents the big toe from being straight. It starts leaning towards the second toe. This creates an angle which looks like a bump on your toe. Don’t ignore the foot condition just because it is painless. The toes might start crowding over time. Not only will this cause pain but might also lead to permanent deformity.

Causes

A majority of the podiatrists believe that bunions are a genetic condition. They generally occur if the foot structure is faulty and is considered to be inherited. Few other conditions for which a bunion can develop are excessively flexible ligaments, flat feet and abnormal bone structure. It might also occur if your shoes don’t fit properly. Since there are various reasons why a bunion might develop in your feet, get in touch with an experienced podiatrist and let them assess the condition. 

Few Things Which Aggrevate Bunions

  • Symptoms of arthritis in your feet.
  • Standing for a prolonged period of time.
  • Wearing shoes with pointy toes or high heels. 
  • Wearing too small or tight shoes which put more pressure on the big toe.

7 Common Signs And Symptoms Of A Bunion

  • Skin on the side of the big toe is becoming inflamed or red.
  • The skin below your big toe is becoming thick.
  • You can’t move your big toe with ease.
  • The second toe has calluses.
  • Big toe leaning towards other toes.
  • Persistent or repetitive foot pain
  • Difficulty in walking

4 Signs You Need To Consult A Podiatrist

  • Constant pain in your foot
  • The big toe is losing flexibility
  • Can’t find shoes which fits you comfortably
  • A large lump has developed near the big toe joint

Diagnosis

Get in touch with a renowned podiatrist in Farnham if you ever notice any of the signs and symptoms stated above. They will conduct a visual inspection and diagnose the issue. They might ask you to move the toe back and forth during the physical exam to check whether your movement has become limited. They generally suggest an X-ray if they feel that there is some underlying injury or deformity. The X-ray helps in assessing the severity of the issue and its cause. They might also suggest you to get a blood test done to check whether it has occurred due to arthritis.

2 Methods Of Treatment

  • Non-Surgical Treatment

If the issue is a minor one, the podiatrist might suggest you to wear shoes with padded sole and sufficient room for your toes. You can even minimise the pressure on the bunion by tapping your foot into a normal position. Some podiatrists suggest their patients to take over-the-counter pain relievers.

  • Surgeries

Surgery might be required if the non-surgical treatment options are not effective. Bunions can be treated through various surgical procedures. Let your podiatrist assess the condition and suggest the most suitable procedure.

Since your knowledge about bunions has enhanced, it’s time you approach a reputed podiatrist and treat the issue without any delay.