Chiropody & Foot Care
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Podiatry:
Orthotics & Arch Supports:
Podiatry:
 What is podiatry?
A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs. A podiatrist provides a medical service for the feet and foot related conditions. A podiatrist has skills in general foot treatments but may have developed particular specialisms in nail surgery, biomechanical assessments and foot posture related pathologies.
So chiropody / podiatry is a medical treatment, not a cosmetic service. After treatment, however, the feet will often look so much better, and feel more comfortable as well.
At the Fleet Street Clinic, we work closely with colleagues in other, related disciplines, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, podiatric surgery and dermatology. The extensive facilities of Fleet Street Clinic mean that medical and nursing support are available on site.
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What is the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?
Both terms refer to practitioners who specialise in diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions. Chiropody/chiropodist have been titles used chiefly in the UK while podiatry/podiatrist are used in the rest of the English speaking world. Increasingly, the term podiatrist is being used in Britain.
Since July 2005, both terms have become protected which means that the titles can only be used by practitioners who are registered with the Health Professions Council. Registration is itself dependent upon successful completion of a recognised course of training and a commitment to continued professional education.
Fleet Street Clinic employs on registered, experienced practitioners so you can have confidence in the treatment and advice you receive.
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What conditions can a chiropodist / podiatrist assist with?
Treatment, assessments & advice related:
General: - corn and callous
- verruca (plantar warts)
- skin disoreders/infections
- nail pathology
- footwear advice
- foot health education and self care advice
Specific: - nail surgery
- cryotherapy
- biomechanical assessments
- sports injury management
- orthotic devices/arch supports
- advice on systemic disorders that may affect the feet including diabetes,
arthritic conditions, and those affecting the circulatory, nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Sports: - foot pain and injuries including sprains, heel pain, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy
- foot posture related injuries such as ankle, shin, knee, low back pain
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Orthotics & Arch Supports:
What is an orthotic?
Orthotics (commonly termed arch supports) are inserts put into the shoe to re-align the foot, take pressure off certain areas of the foot or to increase comfort.
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What are the different types of orthotics/inserts?
Insoles
Palliative orthotics/insoles are designed specifically to reduce pressure from painful or ulcerated areas of the foot. These are often softer and less complicated devices made of foam or rubbers or consist or padding glued to a flat insole. Insoles are useful for treating severely deformed feet with a limited range of motion and mobility or extremely painful conditions that do not require control of foot posture. They are often an appropriate choice for elderly people with significant soft-tissue atrophy and/or circulatory disease or for simple pressure relief cases including localized callous, corns or other painful lesions.
Temporary or “off the shelf” orthotics
Mass produced orthotics are a cheap and effective option for some conditions, especially for injuries or pain that does not require specific or aggressive control of foot motion or for those conditions requiring only short term use of orthotics. Depending on the materials involved, the average life span of “off-the-shelf” orthotics is six to twelve months.
Intermediate level orthotics
From a tracing of your foot and a prescription from your podiatrist, a pair of orthotics that are mass made by the same laboratory that makes custom made ones, can be modified to suit your needs. Whilst made of the same materials (thermoplastic) and often looking very similar to a custom made orthotic, the cost is reduced as the labour time is minimal as these are not made specifically from your individual cast, just adjusted to suit your needs. These orthotics are a good option for people requiring moderate control. They are also commonly used for children who grow out of their devices.
Prescription/custom made orthotics
Functional orthoses are prescribed after a biomechanical assessment/gait analysis and plaster casting (taking a mould) of the feet. They are made at a laboratory from your podiatrist’s prescription to align the structure of the foot in its most functionally efficient position. The orthotic, moulded from the cast, is designed to stabilize the foot and to prevent it from moving into an unbalanced position while walking or running. Prescription orthotics are usually made of a long lasting thermoplastic with a shock absorbing covering. This is the most specific and accurate way to have a controlling orthotic made. They are used for foot deformities, severe foot posture disorders and for those wishing to have a custom made orthotic. Devices last for years and can be modified at any time.
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Copyright © Fleet Street Clinic 2010
29 Fleet Street, EC4Y 1AA London, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7353 5678 . Fax: 020 7353 5500
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FAQs 
Our Chiropodists