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All new hospital referrals are triaged and assessed based on the information entered on the application form.

 

It is important to make sure all details about your medical conditions and the medication you are taking are completed correctly.


Conditions treated at our podiatric surgery include:
• Hallux Valgus (Bunions)
• Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe Joints)
• Digital Deformities (e.g. hammer, retracted toes)
• Soft Tissue Lesions (e.g. Neuroma, Lipoma, Ganglion)
• Exostoses (boney growths)
• Joint Replacement Surgery
• Reconstructure Surgery

Diabetics

Peripheral artery disease (or peripheral vascular disease) symptoms include:

  • Intermittent claudication.

  • Pain at rest.

  • Numbness in the extremities.

  • Weakness of the calf muscle.

  • Hair loss.

  • Coldness in the legs or feet.

Preventing peripheral arterial disease  

 

The most effective way to prevent peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or stop the condition getting worse is to tackle the build-up of fatty substances in your arteries (atherosclerosis).

There are five main ways you can achieve this:

  • eat a healthy diet

  • stop smoking, if you smoke

  • exercise regularly

  • lose weight, if you are overweight or obese

  • moderate your consumption of alcohol

Diabetes and foot problems facts

 

  • Two main conditions, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy, are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes.

  • People with diabetes have an increased risk of ulcers and damage to the feet.

  • A number of different kinds of foot problems can occur in people with diabetes. These includebunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, fungal infections, dryness of the skin, and ingrown toenails.

  • Treatment depends on the exact type of foot problem. Surgery may be required for some cases.

  • Gangrene (dry gangrene) is tissue death due to absence of blood circulation. It can be life-threatening if bacterial infection develops (wet gangrene).

  • Many diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented by good control of blood sugar levels combined with appropriate care of the feet.

Nerve problems

Damage to the nerves of the foot can mean small nicks and cuts aren't noticed, and this, in combination with poor circulation, can lead to a foot ulcer.

About 1 in 10 people with diabetes get a foot ulcer, which can cause a serious infection.

If you have diabetes, look out for sores and cuts that don't heal, puffiness or swelling, and skin that feels hot to the touch. You should also have your feet examined at least once a year.

If poor circulation or nerve damage is detected, check your feet every day and report any changes to your doctor, nurse or podiatrist (foot care specialist).

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves directly as a result of diabetes. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include decreased sensation in the nerves of the legs and feet, making it difficult to perceive injuries due to lack of feeling.

 

Peripheral neuropathy also causes a tingling, pain, or burning in the involved areas. It can also cause the muscles of the feet to work improperly, leading to misalignment of the foot that can put pressure on certain areas of the foot.

Click the button to find out more about the NICE Health Care  Guidelines on Preventative Foot Health Care Treatments 

Preventative Treatment Guidelines

ANNUAL DIABETIC FOOT SCREENING

New clients will be assessed according to their medical and podiatric need using priority criteria. An appropriate treatment plan will be created according to the patient’s medical and podiatric needs which will be agreed upon by the podiatrist and the client. If required appropriate follow up care will be arranged by the podiatrist.

Common Foot Conditions

Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems, often because of two complications of the disease: nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation.

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