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Podiatrists offer advice and treatment for all foot related
problems.
I operate a surgery in Wollaton, Nottingham.
Common Foot Problems
such as hard skin, corns, verrucae, thickened nails, athletes
foot and ingrown toenails.
Biomechanics and Orthotics
Biomechanics enable me to diagnose structural problems in your
feet. These can alter your walking pattern and cause pain
throughout your body.
I can evaluate the way you walk and determine if you are a
candidate for prescription foot orthotics.
Prescription orthotics can help relieve your discomfort by
improving the efficiency of your walking pattern.
I use a state of the art computer
gait analysis system called TOG Gaitscan.
Many of the common foot problems are caused by biomechanical
dysfunction and can be alleviated by wearing prescription
orthotics.
Common
Foot Problems
1. Hard Skin
Hard skin is produced to protect areas subject to friction. In
the feet, this friction is caused by heightened activity, poor
fitting footwear or a malfunctioning foot. A certain amount of
hard skin is natural. Excessive amounts of hard skin may cause
discomfort ranging from aching to a burning sensation.
This excess hard skin can be reduced to normal levels to
alleviate the symptoms.
2. Corns
Corns are areas of hard skin produced by a constant localised
pressure and friction. The localised pressure causes the hard
skin to form into a conical shape that will give acute pain
similar to the sensation of having a sharp piece of gravel in
the shoe.
Corns are removed and the causing factor identified in order to
prevent its return.
3. Thickened Nails
Nails become thickened for different reasons. It can be the
result of physical damage or a fungal infection. Thickened nails
can be reduced to relieve the pressure exerted by footwear and
to make them easier to maintain.
For fungal infections, referral to a GP for prescription
medicines may be required.
4. Verrucae
A virus causes verrucae and warts. A verruca can show itself in
different ways. The most common appearance is as a small raised
area of hard skin with little red or black dots. They are often
painful.
Cryosurgery is a fast and effective way of treating verrucae and
warts and is available at the surgery.
5. Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is a fungal infection that gains access through
broken skin. Feet in damp conditions such as swimming baths and
Gyms are prone to this.
If not treated, the fungal infection can spread to the nails.
6. Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail is a very painful condition. The nail pierces
the skin as a result of physical damage or maybe a sharp edge
has been left after cutting the nails. The break in the skin can
then let infection in.
Depending on the nature of the condition, infection can be
cleared up, sharp edges removed and if necessary, a small
section of nail can be removed to allow the break in skin to
heal before the nail grows back normally.
7. Bunions
Bunions cause problems for lots of people. The toe joint becomes
enlarged and then the big toe deflects towards the other toes.
This may lead to the formation of corns and other symptoms,
which can be treated as normal
8. Chilblains
Chilblains are quite rare in this modern age where the majority
of houses have central heating.
Advice on the general care of feet should reduce the incidences
of chilblains.
9. Diabetes
Anybody with Diabetes will have been told that they need to take
special care of their feet.
Simple problems with feet can turn into something more severe if
not attended to promptly. The main difficulty is that a diabetic
will not always be aware there is a potential problem.
Therefore, regular checks of the feet must be made by a
qualified Chiropodist.
Biomechanics
and Orthotics
Sports or outdoor activity injuries and many other foot
problems can be caused by a misalignment of the feet. This can
cause foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck pain. A
biomechanical assessment will identify any misalignment. This
can then be compensated for by prescription of corrective
Orthotics.
Orthotics reinstate the timing mechanism of the foot, decrease
compensation, prevent further deformity and redirect stress into
the joint to set up new joint surfaces and axes of motion.
I conduct a biomechanical assessment including
· history of symptoms and activity
· study of posture
· range of motion of lower limbs
· relative positional measurements
· foot mobility
· and if required, a brief observation of walking pattern on the
treadmill.
To enhance my assessment, I also use the TOG
Gaitscan system.
The TOG GaitScan
equipment offers state of the art foot assessment technology. It
works in 4 simple steps.
1. Scans Foot
As you walk across the plate, thousands of tiny sensors capture
the distribution of pressure throughout the sole of your foot
over time.
2. Maps Foot Pressure
From your step, the computer then displays on its screen, 2-D
and 3-D visual representations of the pressures under your feet.
3. Prints Report
This information is also summarised in an analysis report that
can be printed for you to see. The report findings enable me to
evaluate your foot function and determine if the symptoms you
are experiencing are related to faulty foot mechanics.
4. Determines need for
Orthotic Therapy
This information will assist me to determine your need for
orthotic therapy and will aid the lab in manufacturing
prescrition orthotics to support your feet.
There are a wide range of orthotics available to cater for all
requirements, whether it be for general use or for specific
applications such as running, cycling, golfing, skiing,
diabetics, work boots or dress shoes.
Some problems may also require the attention of a
Physiotherapist in conjunction with or instead of Orthotic
therapy.
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Contact
Details:
Telephone
(0115)
877 3395
e-mail
.......david@totalfeet.co.uk
If
I am busy or away from the telephone, the answer
machine will activate. Leave your telephone number
and name and I will return your call as soon as I
can.
(Normally lunchtime or early evening)
e-mails
will be picked up early evening.
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Directions
168a Bramcote Lane, Wollaton,
Nottingham. NG8 2QP.
My room is situated upstairs within Mayfields
Hairdressing Salon at Bramcote
Lane. There are ample parking places next to and near the
surgery.
Our building is between Jade Garden Chinese take away and Bet
Fred the bookmakers.
Appointments
at 168a Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, Nottingham are
Wednesday .......9:00 to 5:00.
Thursday ...........9:00 to 5:00.
Friday ...............9:00 to 5:00.
Saturdays .........Every other Saturday morning,
Other times can be arranged if required
Home visits
Are made on Tuesdays to those in the local area who can not
attend the surgery.
Testimonials
Dr W (Nottingham GP)
As a runner I have suffered with plantar fasciitis, a
painful heel condition, in both feet. Despite seeing other
specialists and having traditionally made Orthotics, injuries
continued. I saw an advert for David Towers
who offered foot scanning. Using this more sophisticated
assessment, he was able to prescribe me the correct Orthotics
for my problems.
Very quickly the heel pain subsided and I have enjoyed an
injury free period of running ever since.
Mr D aged 46 - Nottingham
Orthotics have given me my legs back!
It came as a serious blow to me 2 years ago to have to give up
tennis due to knee, hip and lower back pain. Having got no where
with doctors (who deemed me fit because I could walk in and out
of the surgery) I made an appointment with David Towers on a
suspicion that my feet were something to do with the problem.
After a Biomechanical Assessment by David my Orthotics were made
and fitted..
These Orthotics have transformed my life! After a short bedding
in period, I can now play tennis freely without worrying about
all the old aches and pains that used to linger for days after.
I can run hard and compete with the teenagers again. Less
energetic pursuits such as hill walking are also a pleasure
again. My legs feel like new and I'm enjoying them.
Mr. J of Derby
When running, I used to get repeated problems with my calf.
After having a Biomechanical Assessment and Orthotics supplied
by David Towers, I was able to
train for the London Marathon
injury free.
Mr B of Leicester
I was recommended to see David Towers by my sports physio. I
had various calf muscle strains caused by running. I had
previously been prescribed 2 different pairs of orthotics. David
Towers has offered a more sophisticated approach and
methodology. He provided a state of the art computer assessment
technique for determining the Orthotics I required both for
running and normal use. It was a comprehensive, knowledgeable
and thorough service.
The Orthotics provided are helping minimise the stresses and
strains I am imposing on my body when running and long distance
walking.
Links
SMAE
Institute
The
Orthotic Group
Health
and Care Professions Council
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