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!

Importance of toes

Our feet are a complex part of our body with dozens of bones, ligaments and muscles working together as a well-oiled machine.  If one aspect does not function properly for one reason or another, our toes can become deformed, stiffened or misaligned.  When our toes are not as straight and mobile as they should be, there is a risk for pain in between the toes or on the outside edge of the foot.  Toes come in all shapes and sizes.  They can vary in length and can even be bent, curly or crossed over another toe.  They play an important role in our posture and balance, support of our body weight and propulsion of our body forward when we walk.  In doing this, they do endure a considerable amount of pressure as they bend and grip to stabilize the feet and lower body.

Toe deformities & complications

We’ve all heard of bunions and bent, curly or crossover toes, but why are these toe deformities troublesome?

A bunion deformity in the big toe joint typically causes the big toe to deviate laterally or point towards the little toes.  As the big toe deviates more and more, it will press up against the second toe creating pressure between the two toes.  This can also cause it to lift up out of the way.  When this happens, the second toe may override the big toe.  As we age our joints are more susceptible to arthritis due to overuse or injury.  As a result, our toes may move less when we walk, become stiff and rigid, and they can also bend in an abnormal way.  Toes that tightly press up against each other, increase the risk of corns developing in between the toes.  The moisture level is higher and the skin is more delicate in this area which can make corns quite tender and sore.  Consistent routine footcare is important to treat the skin and remove the offending softened corn but it is also important to protect the delicate skin.  If pressure between the toes is severe enough and corns are left untreated, a skin wound can develop.

Bunion splints, aligners & toe spacers

Bunion  splints and aligners can be useful if worn properly and the way they are intended.  Typically bunion splints and aligners have a combination approach

1. a splint that is worn at night while sleeping to create a pull on the big toe, away from the second toe, using a hinge technology and

2. an aligner that is worn during the day to offload pressure in between the first and second toe but also protect the bunion on the side of the foot from rubbing on shoes.  Toe spacers or separators made of silicone or foam are effective at reducing friction, protecting and even preventing corns and wounds from developing in the first place or again.   These spacers and separators can be worn in between toes in need, as they come in different sizes and thicknesses depending on what you need for comfort.

Devices can be worn to protect, cushion and alleviate pain and discomfort associated with our toes, but the importance of footwear in how comfortable we are day-to-day must never be underestimated.  Shoes that are not suitable for your feet or that do not fit well can cause toe issues including deformity and skin lesions.  If you are experiencing toe pain and are not sure what to do, give your local BioPed a call today to make an appointment.

Our toes play an important role in our posture and balance, supporting body weight, and propulsing our body forward when we walk.  In doing this, they endure a considerable amount of pressure as they bend and grip to stabilize the feet and lower body.  Walking on uneven terrain, such as hiking through the woods can be challenging to navigate.  Our toes help to stabilize us to keep us from losing our balance.

Our feet are a complex part of our body with dozens of bones, ligaments and muscles.  The body’s muscles have an agonistic and an antagonistic action.  In other words, for active movement to occur in our body, one muscle pulls in one direction, and another pulls in the opposite direction.  When it comes to our toes, this creates movement such as flexion and extension.  If the muscles attached to the toes are unbalanced and one pulls more than the other, a toe deformity can occur.

What are hammertoes & mallet toes?

A hammertoe describes any toe that is bent at the first “knuckle” or joint from the base of the toe, causing the tip of the toe to make contact with the ground, instead of the padded, pulpy underside.  A hammertoe can develop on any toe on the foot, but most commonly affects the second toe.  A mallet toe is one which is bent at the second joint from the base of the toe. Just like a hammertoe, the tip of the toe will be subjected to pressure and friction from the ground.  Pressure and friction can cause calluses or corns and subsequent pain and discomfort on the tip of the toe and / or on the top of the toe joint. Toenails are also at risk of injury and damage, which can lead to thickening or ingrown toenails.

What causes hammertoes & mallet toes?

Hammertoes and mallet toes can be caused by genetics, toe injury, ill-fitting footwear, or an issue with how the foot moves when walking.  If there is an issue in the lower body mechanics, the muscles around the toes may become unbalanced as they compensate due to instability in the foot.

What can help hammertoes & mallet toes?

Toe deformities are mobile and can be moved and straightened when they first develop.  Over time, joints may develop arthritis and stiffen, becoming rigid and fixed in a bent position.  When toes are mobile, toe props can be worn to help “prop up” the tips of the toes and reduce contact with the ground.  Toe props are typically made of silicone and are available off-the-shelf or can be custom made.  A custom made toe prop is a functional device that can help straighten the toes when standing and walking.  This device will offload the pressure and friction on the tips of the toes and reduce the likelihood of painful callus, corns and wounds. Silicone toe sleeves can be worn over the toe to protect the skin over a bent joint.  Sleeves provide a buffer between the skin and footwear, reducing friction and discomfort.  Hammertoes and mallet toes can make finding comfortable footwear challenging.  Footwear with an extra depth toe box will accommodate toe deformities and allow toes to move freely.

The lower limb clinicians at BioPed Footcare can help you find the right footwear that fits well and is suitable for your feet and toes.  Custom foot orthotics are also effective at correcting issues in lower body mechanics that can lead to unwanted foot issues.  If your skin or nails are bothersome, BioPed’s medical footcare clinicians can provide treatment and an array of solutions to help you do more in life!