Chiropody Services
Almost everyone suffers from aches and pains of muscle and joints but for some the pain and discomfort gets steadily worse. and that's when we can help you!
If left undiagnosed and untreated it can become a devastating and debilitating condition lasting for life. My clinic can provide Chiropody/Podiatric services that treat conditions such as ingrown toe nails to Biomechanics which looks to assess and correct the skeletal lower limbs and in so doing relieve contraction and balance stress on muscle tissue.
As a podiatrist I treat trauma and conditions related to the Foot and Ankle Biomechanics tries to correct and rectify those problems. If you have any questions concerning any treatments mentioned above, I would happy to answer them. You can either email me info@michael-goodman.co.uk or call me on...................
Biomechanics
Biomechanics in this context is in respect of the dynamics of joints and their related soft tissue, how failure in one part of the anatomy can cause discomfort in other areas. If the foundation of your house slips the walls and roof will move as well to a greater or lesser degree so it is with the skeleton. Furthermore using biomechanics we can consider relieving force and improving balance of load distribution on joints.
When biomechanics is applied in relation to Orthopedic Technology can assist in rectifying many musculoskeletal problems by means of proper assessment and measurement, a foot Orthotic can be designed and engineered to not only correct problems of the feet but produce corrective vertical alignment of the skeleton and balance muscular contraction. Do not confuse a corrective Orthotic which is a non surgical Orthopedic device with a comfort insole. Without the proper assessment and measurement you are unlikely to treat the cause of pain.
Ingrown Toenails
The most common causes of ingrown toenails are shoes that don't fit correctly and improperly trimmed nails for example cutting nails too short or attempting to taper the corners with the shape of the toe. Other causes include toenails that are simply too large, trauma, such as stubbing a toe, frequent running, excessively tight socks or stocking and bed-ridden patients can often develop ingrown t toenails if bed sheets are tucked-in tightly. To avoid ingrown toenails you should cut your nails straight across, protect your feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for your toes.
Bunion Problems
Symptoms of bunions include the development of a bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the big toe, redness, swelling and pain of the MTP joint, painful motion of the big toe and the development of corns caused by the overlap of the first and second toes. The MTP joint flexes with every step we take so bunions can cause extreme pain when walking and wearing shoes. An advanced bunion can make a foot look grotesque and can even lead to arthritis. Bunions form after years of abnormal motion and pressure on the MTP joint usually caused by the way we walk, inherited foot type or ill-fitted shoes.
Feet Corns
Corns are calluses that occur most commonly on the top of the toes although they do also occur on the soles of the feet and between the toes. A corn is a small layer of thick, dead skin that develops to act as padding over skin tissue that has been subjected to excessive pressure. They are a reaction to abuse and stress and are an attempt by the body to protect the foot. To prevent corns developing in the first place it is important to avoid extra pressure on your feet. Cautionary measures can be taken like wearing shoes that fit your feet correctly or wearing thick socks for all sports activities and when wearing thick socks also wearing a larger shoe size.
Verrucas
Verrucas are warts that appear on the soles of the feet and are caused by a viral infection in the skin. They most commonly appear on the ball of the foot and are often sore to the touch. Verrucas are areas of flat, thick skin with a hard edge around a softer centre. They are easy to distinguish from corns or hard skin because they has tiny black dots visible in them. The treatment administered often depends of the persons age, how many they have, where they are and how much trouble they cause. Many over the counter products are available for verrucas.
Athletes foot
Athletes foot does not as its name suggests affect only athletes. It is a fungus infection that develops just below the skin and predominately occurs between the toes. If athletes foot remains untreated the infection can spread to the soles of the feet, the toenails and even to other parts of the body through contaminated bed sheets, scratching and clothes. Athletes foot can be recognised by an initial scaling of the skin between the toes, this skin then becomes moist or soggy. The skin may then flake and peel and small blisters may appear. The new skin underneath infected areas may look red, sore and inflamed. Itching and burning may increase as the infection spreads.
Callouses
Corns are calluses that occur most commonly on the top of the toes although they do also occur on the soles of the feet and between the toes. A corn is a small layer of thick, dead skin that develops to act as padding over skin tissue that has been subjected to excessive pressure. They are a reaction to abuse and stress and are an attempt by the body to protect the foot. To prevent corns developing in the first place it is important to avoid extra pressure on your feet. Cautionary measures can be taken like wearing shoes that fit your feet correctly or wearing thick socks for all sports activities and when wearing thick socks also wearing a larger shoe size.