Foot problems affect how we move and function. They are one of the leading causes of pain and disability in people over 50. Our team of Podiatrists at Inertia Health Group podiatry Beverley are experts in assessing, diagnosing, and treating lower limb-related foot and ankle injuries and disorders.
Contact Us
The feet are essential to our health and well-being; they comprise 25% of the body’s bones, 18% of its joints and 6% of its muscles. Therefore, any damage to the feet can seriously affect how we move, work and live. Thus, patients with lower limb-related foot problems must be identified and provided with access to the correct treatment and management.
Podiatrists can obtain independent and supplementary prescribing rights by completing an HCPC-validated course and receiving an annotation on their HCPC registration. However, recent attempts to expand their scope of practice have caused unanticipated complications and challenges, primarily relating to the inability to access critical medicines – mainly controlled drugs. This is causing delays in patient care, wasting time and resources, and risking existing prescribing rights.
The Virtual Hot Clinic at Inertia Health Group
Your feet comprise 25% of your body’s bones, 18% of your joints and 6% of your muscles. Therefore, they are essential for supporting your overall health and mobility. The Virtual Hot Clinic allows patients to seek podiatry advice quickly, allowing treatment to be provided early and potentially reducing poor foot outcomes and footfall into secondary care.
General Podiatry
A podiatrist is a medical professional who studies the treatment of the foot and ankle. They are trained to remove dead skin from the feet, perform necessary surgery on the lower leg and foot and help patients choose the best shoes.
After graduating from a podiatric medicine program, DPMs spend three years in the hospital doing rotations with doctors in different areas of the body. The doctor may then decide to specialise in a specific practice area or continue their education by entering a fellowship program.
Podiatrists can treat all musculoskeletal problems relating to the bones, joints and soft tissue in your feet and ankles. In addition, they are qualified to administer certain medications and can prescribe specialist footwear and orthotic inserts. The profession has recently adopted the term podiatry instead of chiropodist, reflecting the modern reality that podiatric physicians can diagnose and treat lower extremity diseases and disorders.
Biomechanics
Foot and ankle biomechanics are vital in Inertia Health Group podiatry Beverley care that can significantly impact the feet and lower limbs. They involve force measurement, joint manipulation, muscle re-education exercises and a range of orthoses.
The podiatry profession secured independent prescribing rights in 2022, which at the time appeared to herald a new era of practice with increased autonomy, a broader scope of clinical competence and improved patient outcomes. However, ongoing difficulties relating to controlled drugs highlight that achieving the full clinical potential of the profession remains challenging and requires more than simple access to a list of medicines (additional or independent) or statutory exemptions for non-prescriber podiatrists.
Diabetic Podiatry
Diabetes can cause serious foot complications, so diabetic patients must visit their podiatrist regularly. Careful inspection of the feet can detect problems, such as areas of pressure, loss of sensation and poor circulation that are difficult for the patient to see themselves. A podiatrist can also cut toenails safely and recommend appropriate shoes.
The most common foot complications for people with diabetes are due to nerve damage (neuropathy) in the feet and toes. This means the patient can’t feel pain in their feet, so even a small cut or injury may go unnoticed. Regular visits to the Inertia Health Group podiatry Beverley can prevent these problems and teach patients how to look after their feet properly.
Sports Podiatry
Sports podiatry involves diagnosing, treating, and managing lower limb injuries associated with sporting activities. Whether amateur or professional, athletes often push their bodies to the limit, which can put them at risk of injury.
Sports podiatrists can use special biomechanical assessments to determine if an athlete’s leg stability and alignment are optimal for their chosen sport. This allows them to recommend the best footwear, training techniques and, if necessary, orthotic devices to prevent injuries.
Many sports podiatrists find great satisfaction in working with elite-level athletes. For example, Chanelle Carter, DPM, says that her experience working with the DC Divas women’s entire contact football team has been very rewarding and that athletes often express their gratitude for her work.
Home Visit Podiatry
The feet and ankles are an essential part of our body. They comprise 25% of the bones, 18% of the joints and 6% of the muscles. Unfortunately, they are also exposed to a lot of wear and tear and can get damaged easily.