Podiatry Advice Sheet

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What is Podiatry?

Podiatry is a highly specialised area that looks at conditions of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

Over a quarter of the bones in your body are found in your feet and around 40 muscles move them all, so your feet should be looked after! Carrying around your body’s weight all day, walking on different (normally hard) terrains and a variety of footwear all impact the wear and tear of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

Whilst many foot injuries are related to overuse from the repetitive strains of high-velocity sports, just as many injuries are caused by activities of daily living, but all are treated equally with the same level of specificity as in high-performance athletes.

Common conditions include:

hallux abducto valgus (bunions)

plantar fasciitis (arch/heel pain)

rheumatoid arthritis deformity

metatarsalgia (forefoot pain)

achilles tendinitis

shin splints

iliotibial band friction syndrome (runner’s knee)

lower back pain.

We treat many people, from children to athletes, and those from many disciplines, such as running, cycling, and skiing.

What does Podiatry treatment involve?

A podiatrist looks to resolve problems affecting the lower limbs and to restore your feet’s optimal function. They will look for infections and injuries, and treat foot and nail conditions related to other health concerns (e.g. diabetes). The Perfect Balance podiatry team are able to provide you with:

The Perfect Balance podiatry team are able to provide you with:

biomechanical assessment walking and running analysis

video gait analysis

high-speed video slow-motion analysis

Quintic video analysis

force plate analysis

footwear advice and recommendations

sports and general chiropody

prescription orthotics.

prescription orthotics. Orthotics are shoe inserts that correct and support the feet. They are most effective when they are

Orthotics are shoe inserts that correct and support the feet. They are most effective when they are custom-made to fit you perfectly. Orthotics help to reduce pain, better position the feet, prevent the worsening of a current condition, and help the overall function of the feet. A podiatrist may recommend the use of orthotics if appropriate to your needs.

What can you do to help yourself?

There are many ways you can help yourself to prevent foot problems or relieve existing conditions. Here are some important pointers:

Here are some important pointers:

Check your feet for corns and calluses, and seek advice on the best way of dealing with

Check your feet for corns and calluses, and seek advice on the best way of dealing with them.

Wash your feet regularly in warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly.

When cutting your nails, trim your toenails straight across. Keep the nail slightly longer than

When cutting your nails, trim your toenails straight across. Keep the nail slightly longer than the end of the toe.

Wear appropriate footwear. Shoes should be comfortable and the correct size to avoid blisters. When buying sports footwear, choose a size slightly larger than your foot as your feet will warm and increase in size slightly once exercising.

Visit Perfect Balance Clinic to see an experienced podiatrist!

Remember, our feet are very important but are often neglected. Take care of them and they will keep you moving!

For more information about Podiatry

If you would like additional information about Podiatry or to discuss how we may be able to help with your queries please contact us using the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.