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A-P(Antero-Posterior)
A look from front to back view.
AFO
An Ankle Foot Orthosis . A "U X-Section" splint used to control the position of the foot relative to the tibia.
Arthritis
A destructive process effecting a joint. This may result in pain, deformity, restricted function. It may also be asymptomatic. There are many different causes ranging from an initial injury to a joint, to infection, to autoimmune conditions (where the bodies natural defence system turns on joints and destroys them).
Arthroscopy
Minimally invasive surgery to a joint performed using a small telescopic camera and special Instruments. Articular surface
Avascular necrosis
The loss of the normal blood supply to a bone, leading to the destruction of part or all of The effected bone. In the foot and ankle most common in the talus and second metatarsal head.
Backslab plaster
A temporary plaster cast which has no plaster of paris at the front of the cast. This allows a degree of swelling to occur comfortably, for example immediately post-operatively. A complete cast allows no such increase in size of the limb and can lead to pain and a restiction in blood supply due to swelling in the rigid cast.
Bunion
Also known as hallux (big toe) valgus (a deviation away from the midline of the body). The components of the deformity are a widening of inner border of the foot, medial prominence of first metatarsal head and an angular deformity of toe.
Bunionette
A mirror image of a bunion deformity, effecting the little toe. The components are a widening of the outer border of the foot and an angling of the little toe towards the midline of the midline of the body.
Cartilage
A complex tissue which has various different types. Perhaps most importantly it forms the smooth lining of most joints, allowing low friction motion. It is assisted in this by synnovial fluid, a thick biological lubricant present in most joints. As a result little wearing out occurs in normal joints.
Charcot joint
A severe and often rapid destuctive process affecting joints and surrounding soft tissue. There is always underlying neurological dysfunction, often secondary to diabetes. In the foot and ankle may present as an acute flat foot. Chondral defect
Debridement
The surgical removal of damaged or infected material.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
A blood clot which usually develops in the calf veins. This may produce pain and local swelling. If a portion of the clot breaks free it can be carried up to the blood vessels in the lung and may produce severe chest pain cardiac arrest and rarely death. There are various ways to reduce the chance of complication such as limiting any period of Immobilisation and using prophylactic medications such as Heparin, Warfarin or Aspirin. These act by thinning the blood and making it less likely to clot.
Dislocation
Describes the situation when the two articulating bones forming a joint are no longer in contact with each other. Femoral block
Fusion
The permanent joining together of two bones which normally articulate upon each other as a joint. Bone is stimlated to grow across the joint space from both sides by removing all cartilage lining the joint and exposing the bleeding inner surface of the bone. These surfaces are then compressed (usually by placing screws across them). This compression can hold the ideal position as fusion is occurring and the compressive force also stimulates the process. The time taken for fusions to knit together soundly varies. A big toe (MTP) joint will on average require 6 weeks compared to twelve weeks for an ankle. Once fusion is complete the two bones are effectively one bone. Fusion is a common procedure for arthritis and results in the loss of movement of the joint.
Gait
Describes the pattern of walking.
Haemarthrosis
Blood within the joint. May result following Injury, surgery or in some conditions(eg Haemophilia) spontaneously.
HSMN
Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy (known generically as Charcot-Marie-Tooth after one of its variants). An inherited progressive condition. It exists in various forms.
Intermetatarsal block
A nerve block of the common digital nerves located between the metatarsal bones in the sole of the foot.
Intra-articular block
A direct injection of local anaesthetic Into a joint. Used just as post-operative pain relief.
Lateral
A side on view of the area
Ligament
A tough, stabilising soft tissue structure which connects bones either side of a joint .
Ligament reconstruction
A reforming of deficient ligament/s This can be done with soft tissue transferred from the immediate area(for example a portion of a tendon)or transferred from elsewhere.
Light weight cast
A cast made out of fibre glass composite. This is lighter, more durable and resistant to the effects of water once set, compared with traditional plaster of paris.
Metatarsalgia
This is simply pain under the metetarsal heads (the "ball of the foot"). This not a specific diagnosis as there are many potential causes.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This is away of imaging tissues without exposing them to the low dose radiation associated with x-rays. The technique involves a high magnetic field. This can be contra-indicated if you have a metal implant (eg a joint replacement) and certainly if you have a pacemaker. It is a technique which gives dynamic information about the state of tissues. It is the best way of imaging soft tissue (ie non bony tissue).
Muscle
A soft tissue which contracts when stimulated by its nerve supply, producing movement across a joint.
Nerve block/blockade(regional anaesthetic)
A way of making a limb pain free by injecting local anaesthetic close to the nerves which supply it. This can be used instead of a general anaesthetic or to provide pain relief following a general anaesthetic. Depending on the exact nerve block the "motor nerves" which stimulate movement of the limb may also be effected, producing an expected and temporary paralysis.
NSAIDS
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs, for example Aspirin or Brufen. These drugs act both to reduce pain and also to reduce inflammation.
Orthotic
An externally applied device (eg splint or insole) used to control the position and/or function of a body part.
Osteoarthritis
The commonest form of arthritis. Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis. Often this remains localised to just one or two joints. It only effects musculo-skeletal tissues.
Osteochondral defect
An area inside a joint where a portion of the joint cartilage and underlying bone has been lost. (see joint X section)
Osteophyte
A spur of bone, usually a feature of and situated at the edge of an arthritic joint.
Osteotomy
The dividing of a bone in a planned and controlled fashion. Usually to realign or change the orientation of the bone.
Parasthesia
A sensation of "pins and needles". It usually occurs as a result of interference with nerve function. There are many potential causes, nerve bruising or division or the use of local anaesthetic cutaneous: to do with the skin.
PCA Pump
Patient controlled analgesia pump.
Periosteum
A tough "membrane" of variable thickness which covers bone and is firmly and directly attached to it.
Polio
A disorder of the nerves supplying skeletal muscles, secondary to infection with the polio virus. In the lower limb this manifests as a maller limb with joint contractures and a high arched (cavus) foot.
Portals
Small stab incisions to allow access into a joint for minimally invasive surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis
A specific type of arthritis which often effects many joints and can also effect non musculo-skeletal tissues.
RSD
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy also known as regional pain syndrome. This is a condition which results following surgery or an injury. It is characterised by significant pain (often burning in nature and widespread) which is present most of the time and may be worsened by extremes of temperature. The skin often becomes red, swollen and hypersensitive. Light pressure over an effected area may result in very severe and immediate pain. Joints in the area will become stiffened and may develop contractures. If this complication occurs it requires early and aggressive treatment with mobilisation of the effected joint and often nerve blocks to reduce the action of the nerves which are driving the process.
Sciatic block
A nerve block at the level of the sciatic nerve, usually behind the knee. Most effectively used in conjunction with a femoral block.
Sclerosis
A thickening of bone which occurs under various circumstances. Examples are after bone infection or around the margins of an osteoarthritic joint.
Sprain
An injury to the ligament(s) stabilising a joint. It can range from some minor bruising to a complete disruption leading to the joint becoming unstable.
Stability
The ability of a structure to withstand physiological
Subluxation
Describes the situation when the two articulating bones forming a joint move beyond their normal range. Further displacement may lead to dislocation. This can also be applied to tendons starting to displace beyond their normal "line of pull".
Synovitis
Inflammation of the synnovium. May occur after Injury or be a part of a generalised joint problem such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Synovium
A soft tissue present in varying quantities in normal healthy joints. It produces synnovial fluid, a biological lubricant.
Tarsal coalition
A progressive loss of movement of midfoot joints occurring due to a spontaneous union between them. The tissue uniting the bones may be bone or tough cartilaginous tissue. This usually starts during adolescence and presents as a non-correctable flat foot.
Tendon
The 'business end' of a muscle. This tough unyielding tissue allows a muscle (of varying length ) to excert its pull across a joint.
Tendon transfer
Detaching the insertion of a tendon and moving it to another neighbouring site. The reason is either to correct a deformity or to substitute it for a more important but failed tendon. This procedure usually weakens the strength of the transferred tendon.
Tendonitis
Inflammation of the outer layers of a tendon. The underlying tendon may be entirely healthy.
Tendonosis
Wear and tear/degenerative changes existing throughout the substance of a tendon. The tendon Is unhealthy and maybe more prone to rupture.
Thermoplastic splint
A splint constructed from a lightweight and precisely mouldable heat sensitive plastic. Generally this Is made to form both a front and a back section, which fit reversibly together. This allows easy access to the limb and can be self removed if need be. The back section alone can be used to rest the limb in, for example at night.
Total contact cast
A specially constructed and closely conforming plaster cast. Used for the treatment of ulceration and Charcot arthropathy.
UHMWPE
UltraHigh Molecular Weight PolyEthelyne. This is a plastic commonly used to line joint replacements due to its excellent durability.
Union
The successful joining together of two previously separate bones/parts of bones. The same process occurs when a fracture heals or a fusion is successful.

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Foot Care Services staff are highly experienced in bio-mechanics and gait-analysis and can quickly assess the condition of your feet from your posture, gait and a few simple questions.

Using sophisticated CAD-CAM technology, we can also scan your feet to produce custom-made footbeds (insoles) and custom made footware, which are perfectly matched to the contours of your feet, as well as full medical orthotics. 

Foot Care Services can also recommend the perfect pair of shoes to match your type of feet and ensure that foot pain becomes a thing of the past. We can advise on the widest range of footware from a selection of many brands which are hugely popular in Europe and/ or the US, but have until now been available in the UK. Better still, this means that you can now experience total comfort without compromising on fashion or style.

Did you know..?

• For every mile walked, your feet shift roughly 100 tonnes (the weight of a blue whale) just to move your 25-30% of adults suffer some form of foot problem

• 90% of people wear ill-fitting shoes, causing 65% of all foot problems (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

• 98% of children are born with good structural feet, whereas 60% of adults (above 18) have dysfunctional feet, although this is not always painful.

• 25-30% of all adults suffer some form of foot problem pain.

• Heel pain is the most common form of foot pain suffered by adults.

• Only 28% of children have average-fitting feet

• A child's foot contains 45 separate bone centres which slowly grow and fuse together until fully ossified around age 18

• There are at least six sets of muscles that control each toe

• Each year over 2 million people suffer from an ankle sprain, strain and fractures.

• The Achilles tendon is the largest and the strongest tendon in the whole body

• Orthotics increase comfort, enhance performance, improve balance, protect from injury and aid recovery

• Sport causes 6.7 million foot & ankle injuries in the UK each year; orthotics provide protection

• Most sports professionals wear orthotics for performance and protection

• Cheaper running shoes are often preferable to the more expensive as they offer basic shock absorption without the gimmicks.

• All running shoes should be replaced after 3 months and before 6 months - due to the manufacturer’s life expectancy of the shoe.

• Plantarfasciitis accounts for over 15% of all foot related problems

• Orthotic’s once prescribed have been known to alleviate symptoms such as chronic headaches and toothache.

• That each foot has 3 arches; longitudinal medial(heel to toe - inside), longitudinal lateral (heel to toe – outside) and the transverse arch medial to lateral (inside to out side).

• Most shoes are designed ‘flat’ inside and offer no support to the plantar (underside) surface of the foot.

• The only materials that allow the foot to breath in the shoe are; Full leather lining, ‘Gortex’TM and ‘Sympatex TM’

• Forget about dieting or joining a gym – just walk 10,000 steps a day instead (Health professionals, including the British Heart Foundation, recommend walking 10,000 steps per day – or roughly 5 miles – to become fit and healthy and help lose weight. Most people already walk around 5,000 steps so, with comfortable feet, it should be easy to do the rest…)