Foot Care Services is a revolutionary new foot-care centre with a variety of solutions for tired, damaged or uncomfortable feet.

• Advice on the widest range of comfort footwear
• Resident bio-mechanist (foot specialist)
• Consultation and advice
• Customised footbeds
• Advanced medical orthotics
• Alterniative Thearpy - Amatsu
• Special children’s service (including shoes)
• Bio-mechanical & gait analysis
• Advanced Sports Analysis (running, tennis, golf etc)
 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Understand your own FEET!

• Overview- The foot has more bones than any other part of the body – 26 bones, 19 muscles, 107 ligaments, 250 sweat glands… The foot is devided up into three sections the hind-foot (heel), the mid-foot (arches – longitundinal /transverse etc), the fore foot (metatarsals / toes etc). The function of the toes especially the big toe and the first Met head is to encourage balance and propulsion during the gait cycle ie walking or running. The 14 bones in the toe area are amongst the smallest in the body and are the easiest area where problems can occurr. Conditions can occurr during childhood, while others happen later on in life after an injury or continual wear and tear in incorrect footwear. When we stand or walk our body weight is transferred from our heel, through the mid foot, to the toes - in a sequence of phases for every step taken. This is known as the ‘Three phases of step’ and is key to all foot ailments during our life cycle. Phase ONE – Heel Strike, Phase TWO – Mid Stance, Phase THREE - Toe OFF. Each one of these phases brings it’s own problems during the ‘tri-planial’ (foot moving in 3 planes/directions at the same time) cycle of each phase of the step.

• Arch problems – This is a condition where the band of fibre that runs from the heel bone to the toe is in flamed – medical term is ‘Plantar faciitus’. Commonly gives heel pain sensation when walking and continuous exertion can cause repetitive strain on the muscles that insert around the foot. (See treatment list below)

• Bunions - Hallux Valgus This is a common condition that effect the everyday walker in modern society. The medical terminology for a bunion is actually ‘Hallux Valgus’. Hallux Valgus is the condition when the big toe is angled excessively towards the second toe and the hallux is blocked, preventing the big toe from being able to bend and ‘toe-off’ in a straight line. The foot is therefore forced to change it’s gait cycle ie turning the foot laterally during walking, forcing the foot to roll off the medial side of the big toe at the point of the first met head (bony prominence), thus increasing the lateral pressure on the big toe. The body then tries to protect the over working first met head by allowing the calcification of the bone, which is known as it builds up - as a bunion. Therefore a Bunion is can be the direct result of the limitation of the hallux. (See treatment list below), although there are many other ways that a bunion can form. A bunion can be seen as a repetitive strain due to a continuos condition bringing on the calcification of the bone, they can become prominent if suffering from arthritis, or if the foot has been continually squeezed in to in appropriate footwear. Women tend to suffer from the condition more than men due to the demands of fashion and putting feet into more restrictive footwear, exacerbating the pressure on the toe area due to heels or more pointed toe boxes.

• Heel Pain - During your gait cycle the heel is the first part of the foot that ‘hits’ the ground during the three phases of gait. Four times the body weight goes through the heel during each step taken. The heel is designed to absorb the force on impact and provide a firm support for the next two phases of gait; Mid stance and Toe off. There are many types of heel pain; Heel Spur, Heel Bursitis, Heel bumps, Bruised Heel plus others (See treatment list below)

• Pregnancy - There are many ‘one-off’ symptoms experienced in the feet of a pregnant lady during the 9 month birth cycle. These conditions are usually an acute exaggeration of the many conditions listed here, due to the excess water and weight carried during the 9 months. Most women are advised by there medical team of the extra strain on their feet and back during pregnancy and to expect some aggravation in these areas especially if the individual remains active throughout the birth. However common ailments are: chronic Planta fasciitus and chronic foot cramps, medial and lateral knee pains, lower back pain, bruised heel sensation, fallen arch pain. (See treatment list below)

• Diabetes - The condition of Diabetes can be chronic and ultimately have a serious effect on suffers health and lifestyle. It is a metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar levels. The condition results in the body being unable to produce insulin. Diabetes can not be cured but the condition can be managed effectively if the sufferer is able to reduce their blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and above all stop smoking - as smoke has an adverse effect on the blood supply to the feet and body. However many suffers are able to control the condition and lead a normal life albeit in continual awareness of the restrictions place upon them. The condition usually brings on a loss of sensation in the feet(neuropathy), usually starting at the toes. The loss of sensation in the feet can increase the longer the condition is diagnosed. The Neuropathy brings on new problems, as the suffer will not feel damage being done to the foot for example if the skin is pierced and left untreated, infections and further problems can occur, in some cases leading to amputation. Regular monitoring of Neuropathy is essential to all suffers and once diagnosed, daily inspections of the foot is key to ensuring a healthy outcome of the condition. Burning sensations in the feet is common and contact with socks and footwear can exacerbate the condition known as painful peripheral neuropathy – essentially a condition that with regular check-ups can be managed Warning signs in addition to Neuropathy are as follows: o Skin breaks with discharge o Change of colour to the skin ie red/blue/pale or blackened o Swelling o Red or black spot within a Calluse or Corn o Sensation of warmth or burning Foot Ulcers are also a common result of the condition and need to be treated by a foot specialist immediately.

• Corns and Calluses - A callus or Corn is the body’s protective response to the excessive pressure that is put on the skin during the propulsive phase of the gait cycle ie Mid Stance to Toe-Off. A Callus is an extended area of thickened skin on the soles of the feet and occurrs in areas of excessive pressure and friction. It generally appears where ever the skin rubs against the bone, footwear or indeed the ground. Most Calluses are due to a bony deformity, style of gait or incorrect footwear. Different skin types can lead to more calluses and people with less fatty tissue in their skin ie the elderly, are prone to calluses on the underside of their feet. Corns occur over a bony prominence of the foot such as a joints. There are two main forms of corn ‘hard and soft’ and other specific symptomatic corns. Hard corns - are the most common and appear over a joint as a small area of hard skin up to the size of a pea and usually due to the feet or toes not function correctly or being placed in ill fitting footwear. Soft corns - are less common but occur in a similar way to the hard corns. They are of a ‘white and rubbery’ texture and usually sit between the toes, due to sweat or damp feet from poorly aerated shoes or improper drying. Fibrous corns – These can be much more painful than a normal soft or hard corn as they have been around for much longer and appear to be deeply attached to the tissue of the toes. Seed Corns – Are clusters of tiny corns that are found on the bottom of the feet and are usually painless.

• Rheumatoid arthritus – Is a disease that effects many joints of the body and causes chronic inflammation. This is usually due to a dysfunctioning immune system that allows the deterioration of the tissue that protects and lines the joints – resulting in chronic pain, stiffness and inflammation. The condition effects adults mainly in the middle age and on average is found in 3 times more women than men. Five percent of all suffers will have a condition that deteriorates, while others have milder symptoms of aching joints with stiffness. The condition can effect the toes first, moving into the heel and then the ankle. The metatarsal-phalangeal joints (toe joints) can be effected; causing Hallux Valgus, Hallux Rigidus and Hammer Toes, resulting in additional problems such as; bunions and corns. If the mid-foot is effected the arch may collapse due to the deterioration of the joint structure. This can lead to fallen arches and the spreading of the toes, sometimes resulting in the fatty pads on the balls of the feet migrating forward, leaving the sufferer with the sensation of ‘walking on cobbles’ barefooted. If the Hind foot is effected where the heel meets the ankle – the condition known as ‘Valgus hindfoot’ (heel migrating laterally), can occur making it extremely difficult to walk normally. This condition usually brings on additional symptoms of Calluses, Corns and in some cases foot ulcers, due to the uneven pressure distribution while walking.

• Osteo - Arthritis - Is commonly known as the ‘wear and tear’ arthritis and occurs when the cartilage of a joint becomes damaged. (cartilage – is the layer of gristle that lies over the end of the bones allowing the joint to glide freely without friction). As the cartillage disintegrates the bones protects itself by thickening, bringing on pain, stiffness and inflammation. The condition usually occurs in middle age due to weight gain and increased pressure on our joints due to muscle weakening and the slowing down of the bodies ability to heal itself. The condition can affect any part of the 33 joints in the feet but is most common in the big toe due to conditions of Hallux Valgus and Hallux Rigidus being left untreated (see above notes on conditions of the foot). Where the big toe becomes restricted due to excessive pronation or the big toe migrating towards the other toes causing bunions. The condition is not always, but in some instances can be painful, although once diagnosed as having the condition it does not always deteriorate to a worsened state.

• Big Toe Deformities – Hallux Rigidus This is a condition that effects more women than men – where the normal function of the big toe during the ‘Toe-off’ phase is hindered and restricted by the stiffening of the joint – sometimes resulting in a lump/bump forming over the joint. This can be developed from a chronic ‘stubbing’ of the toe or some other injury to this area of the foot. Hallux Rigidus can also be developed through continuous strain of the foot from loose fitting ‘slip on’ shoes – most common in women.

• Hammer Toes -  This condition can be developed from birth due to muscle imbalances or can be developed through poorly fitted socks and shoes in the early stages of growth. The second toe is the usually affected more than any other toe and becomes bent in an ‘inverted V’ position and can be painful.

• Curly/Retracted Toes - At birth some children are born with retracted toes that will not lie flat. Soft cartilage can easily be bent and so fitting good supportive shoes at the correct time without restrictions, will help the child’s feet grow without exacerbating the problem. This condition can settle down with the foot adapting to it’s new environment, however the curly retracted toes need to be dealt with as the child will in most cases feel no pain and consequently can develop and grow without the parent noticing the problem.

• Athletes Foot – This condition is a fungal infection – It can lead to intense itching and cracked and blistered feet, usually between the toes and the balls of the foot. It can also be found on dry flaking skin around the heel and mid-foot and is seen in sandal wearers in the summer who’s skin has dried out loosing the natural oils. Often caused by moist waterlogged skin and exacerbated by feet squashed into cheap, non – breathable shoes especially trainers.

• Achilles Tendonitis – This condition is a painful and often debilitating inflammation of the achilles tendon. The Achilles is the largest and strongest of all the bodies tendons. It attaches to the heel and extends up into the calf muscle. The Achilles gives us the ability to rise up onto our toes, allowing us to walk and ultimately run. There are 3 stages of tendonitis; Peritenonitis (local pain during or after activity); Tendinosis (does not cause symptoms but can cause swelling or a hard knot of tissue in the calf muscles); Peritenonitis with Tendinosis (a painful condition resulting in swelling in activity and can cause a partial or total rupture of the tendon).

• Ingrown Toe nails - Are known as onychocryptosis – They are painful conditions that occur when the skin on the side of the toe nail grows over the edge of the nail or when the nail grows in to the skin.

• Shin Splints – Shin Splints actually occur a few inches below the knee on the medial(inner) side of the leg. The pain is located in the posterior tibial muscle/tendon. This muscle starts below the knee and wraps around the ankle on the inside, attaching to the underside of the foot. This creates a ‘pulley’ action, that generates considerable force. If the lower limb is over worked or the foot not functioning correctly, the muscle becomes over stretched. Thus pulling at the point of connection creating considerable pain.

• Chillblains - Are small itchy inflamed swellings on the skin that dry - out and crack - becoming very painful. There is a high risk of infection and occur mainly on the toes or in areas of exposed pressure such as bunions or toes forced into tight shoes. They occur usually due to the feet’s skin reaction to the cold or damp conditions. They can also be affected by diet and general hormonal changes throughout life. They can also come about through warming up frozen feet too quickly in front of a fire or with a hot water bottle.