Podiatry

The podiatry service is available to people of all ages who have problems with their feet or lower limbs. The service is able to assess, diagnose and manage foot and leg problems to reduce pain, help prevent deterioration of chronic conditions and increase mobility. However, we do not provide a basic nail cutting service.

All referrals are triaged on receipt, as there are access criteria in place for NHS treatment. We treat people who have problems such as painful corns and callus, in-growing toe nails, and foot ulcers. However, the service will only treat those patients who have a medical/podiatric problem that puts the foot at risk of deterioration.

We offer treatment at 20 clinical sites in a variety of settings across Buckinghamshire. These include GP surgeries, health centres and hospital out-patient departments.

Specialist clinics include:

Insole/orthotic manufacture

Diabetes foot clinics
People with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing foot complications due to possible changes that may occur to the circulation and/or sensation to the feet.

All patients with diabetes are recommended to have their feet assessed by a competent health care practitioner, as a minimum, once a year. 

At this assessment patients will have a simple test to assess blood circulation, check the sensations in their feet and make sure that there are no skin lesions such as corns and callus that need treatment. Patients will be advised about footwear and safe management of feet.

From this assessment a foot risk rating will be set and this will indicate the level of care required.
 
Those patients who have a foot ulceration or an acute infection will be referred to the multi-disciplinary diabetes teams at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.

These clinics are provided at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Rheumatology foot clinics
These specialist clinics are for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative inflammatory rheumatic conditions and connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma. Treatment is aimed at maintaining mobility, reducing pain and preventing breakdown of high risk pressure areas of the feet.
 
Insoles and orthotics are often prescribed to provide cushioning, correction or deflection of pressure from uncomfortable joints or soft tissue areas. This may also involve referral for custom made footwear.

In line with national guidance we offer annual reviews of foot health.

These clinics are provided at Amersham, Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Orthopaedic and gait clinics  
Many people suffer at some time in their lives from painful foot problems that prevent them from walking comfortably.  Orthopaedic clinics include assessment of musculo-skeletal conditions of the feet and legs, for example bunions, forefoot neuroma, knee problems associated with poor foot posture and tendonitis due to overuse.

The clinics also assess children who have developmental gait problems such as in-toeing gait, tip-toe gait and painful flat feet.

Treatment often includes provision of insoles or orthoses that are manufactured by our technicians in workshops at Amersham Hospital and the Brookside Clinic, Aylesbury.  Insoles offer a combination of support and cushioning, whilst the custom-made orthoses are for more complex conditions.

These clinics are run at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospital and community musculo-skeletal assessment clinics.

Nail surgery
Treatment is available for in-growing toenails. Patients will be asked to attend an assessment clinic to see whether they are suitable for nail surgery.
 
During the procedure the toe nail is either partially or totally removed after a local anaesthetic has been injected into the toe.  The procedure usually takes about an hour and the patient is able to return to work the next day. The aim of the treatment is to prevent the treated nail from re-growing.
 
The clinics are available at Amersham Hospital and Brookside Clinic, Aylesbury.  

Clinics for the ‘at risk’ foot (not diabetic)
If you have problems such as painful corns and callus and have a medical condition that puts your feet ‘at risk’ you will be offered an appointment at a clinic nearest to your home. The podiatrist will discuss what treatment will be most effective for your problem. This could be on-going care with regular appointments or a course of one or two appointments to sort out your problem and ensure that you are able to continue with any self care measures and advice.

There is one administrative office which deals with all enquiries and appointments. This is situated at the Brookside clinic, Aylesbury and is open 8.30 to 5.00 every weekday. Click here for contact details.

Referral is by a podiatry referral form available from GP surgeries, health centres and the administration offices. You can refer yourself or be referred by your GP, consultant or other health professional.

All referrals are triaged on receipt as there are access criteria in place for NHS treatment. The service will only treat those patients who have a medical/podiatric problem that puts the foot at risk of deterioration.

Your first appointment will be arranged at the clinic nearest to your home unless you require specialist treatment when it will probably be made at one of the hospital sites.