If you’re experiencing common painful foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, or flat feet, a Registered Chiropodist can help you in many ways! However, if you are struggling with more skin and nail-related concerns, such as ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, or warts, seek the expertise of a Registered Chiropodist or an Advanced Footcare Nurse.
But when should you opt for a chiropodist vs a footcare nurse?
In simple terms, choose a BioPed Registered Chiropodist when you require orthotics, a prescription (for medicine or orthotics, shoes or bracing), have an infection, have a foot wound, may require surgery or numbing (by injection), or are neuropathic (have little to no sensation in your feet). Chiropodists can prescribe oral and topical medications and administer injections into the feet. They can also offer surgeries on skin and toenails.
An Advanced Footcare Nurse provides trimming for calluses, corns, thick or ingrown toenails, and treatment for foot warts. They perform most of the same skin and toenail treatments as a Chiropodist, except for surgeries, injections and prescriptions.
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions, then medical footcare at BioPed is the right service for you!
Fungal toenails
Fungal nails can be thick, misshapen, discoloured, crumbly and smelly. They can occur on the big or small toes and are treated with regular debridement, topical or oral antifungal medications.
For topical solutions to be effective, the nail must be thin enough for the treatment to penetrate to the nail bed where the fungus resides. A Chiropodist or Footcare Nurse can significantly reduce the thickness of the nail plate. If necessary, a Chiropodist can remove the nail plate altogether.
Ingrown toenails
A painful toenail border (or edge) due to the nail growing into the soft tissue is considered an “ingrown toenail.”
You may experience pain when the nails are significantly curved or when a spike of a nail punctures the skin at the side of the nail. Ingrown toenails usually respond well to correct nail cutting techniques, properly fitted footwear and patient education.
BioPed Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can opt to apply a toenail brace, which helps alleviate pressure at the sides and retrains the nail edges to grow straighter. Registered Chiropodists can also perform toenail avulsions to remove the offending nail edge and prevent a recurrence.
Corns & calluses
Corns and calluses appear as thickened skin on the bottom or tops of the feet and in between the toes.
Corns and calluses can be painful because of the high pressure or friction caused when skin builds up in local area. To offset the pain in the feet, a person might alter how they walk, creating other issues, such as knee pain.
BioPed Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses will trim corns and calluses and recommend a topical moisture regime that will help with hard and dry skin. Chiropodists can also prescribe custom foot orthotics, which can correct gait and offload high-pressure areas, reducing the corn / callus pain and need to return for frequent trimming. BioPed clinicians can also recommend properly fitted footwear appropriate for specific activities and your foot type, to increase comfort and function.
Plantar warts
Plantar warts are found most commonly on the bottom of our feet and are contagious.
Warts have a cauliflower-like texture, black dots centrally, and are usually painful when lateral pressure is applied. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be challenging to cure.
Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses will debride wart tissue to allow chosen treatments to work better. This could include topical solutions such as salicylic acid and Cantharidin. In addition to conservative treatments, Chiropodists can also perform wart needling and wart excision.
Toe deformities
Hammertoes, claw toes and mallet toes are all forms of toe “deformities”. They refer to toes that bend at one or both toe joints, creating a toe that is not straight. They can cause calluses, corns, pain, and discomfort, making finding the right footwear a seemingly impossible task.
To address toe deformities, a silicone sleeve may be recommended, or Chiropodists can make a custom toe prop, which can help straighten the toes and prevent rubbing, when weight-bearing. BioPed clinicians will also address any calluses or corns that have arisen due to the toe deformity and makes recommendations for footwear.
Diabetes & foot health
People who have diabetes are more susceptible to infection, cold feet and other complications, such as peripheral neuropathy. To ensure proper foot health is maintained, BioPed Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses will perform routine nail and skin care. Diabetic Risk Assessments are 3-minute evaluations performed in clinic to determine a person’s risk for foot complications. Following this evaluation, the clinician will provide education on how to inspect feet at home in between appointments to ensure they stay healthy.
Biomechanical treatment
Registered Chiropodists are trained in assessing gait (walking pattern/style) and the quality of movement of the foot and lower limb joints and muscles. Depending on the lower body mechanics, a Chiropodist may prescribe custom foot orthotics to correct alignment and/or provide protection to the foot or improve the way someone walks or runs.
Whether you’re an elite athlete, a recreational runner or just someone who wants to stay active and healthy, a BioPed Chiropodist can help you move better and more efficiently, which can prevent injury and alleviate discomfort.
How do I book an appointment?
BioPed Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses can help improve your foot health and comfort, alleviate foot pain, and get you back to doing more of what you love in life.
Contact your local BioPed and schedule an appointment to find out how a Registered Chiropodist or Advanced Footcare Nurse can help you today!
