Chiropody and Podiatry Clinics
in Tolworth (020 8390 6456)
& West Ewell (020 8786 3472)
SERVICES
Below we have listed a summary of each of the services we provide. Please call - or email via CONTACT page - if you wish to discuss your treatment with Mary or one of her associates.
INGROWING TOENAILS
There are normally two reasons for ingrowing toenails: a bad pedicure – often self-inflicted – or an inherited tendency caused by fan-shaped nails. The big toe is mostly affected, but other toes can sometimes suffer too.
You will know if you have an ingrowing toenail because the nail pierces the flesh on the side of the toe and an infection can easily set in, causing a lot of discomfort and pain. As the toe swells, so the nail digs deeper. Be wary of trying to cut the nail away yourself – you may do more harm than good.
A podiatrist can numb the infected toe and remove the side of the nail which is causing the problem. Sometime it may be necessary to perform a partial nail avulsion which will remove the offending side of nail, and kill the nail bed so the problem is resolved.
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CRYOTHERAPY
This is a successful way of treating verrucae with liquid nitrogen.
The treatment is very quick and can be painful while it is applied.
It has the benefit of allowing you to get your foot wet after treatment.
CORNS & CALLOUS
A callosity is an extended area of thickened skin, over areas on the feet where there is pressure or friction.
Some people have more of a tendency to form callous than others. The elderly have less fatty tissue in the skin which also increases the callous formed.
Corns are a more concentrated area of hard skin with a conical shaped centre. These need to be treated carefully. (Never use corn plasters!) Corns can be found on the top of toes, under the foot and between the toes.
A callosity is an extended area of thickened skin, over areas on the feet where there is pressure or friction.
Some people have more of a tendency to form callous than others. The elderly have less fatty tissue in the skin which also increases the callous formed.
Corns are a more concentrated area of hard skin with a conical shaped centre. These need to be treated carefully. (Never use corn plasters!) Corns can be found on the top of toes, under the foot and between the toes.
ARTHRITIC FEET
ARTHRITIC FEET
Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis can cause a great deal of discomfort in both the feet and ankles. Sometimes the feet become swollen and extremely painful. The joints can become reddened and inflamed.
Other people suffer from enlarged joints which create footwear problems and quite often develop overlying callous which can exacerbate their problems.
We are able to advise patients on comfortable and accommodative footwear, as well as make insoles and treat the lesions that are creating the discomfort and pain. Quite often good padding on the affected areas will reduce weight bearing and give a great deal of relief.
Gout can create a sudden onset of extreme pain with swelling and redness. This is best treated with medication from the doctor and rest.
Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis can cause a great deal of discomfort in both the feet and ankles. Sometimes the feet become swollen and extremely painful. The joints can become reddened and inflamed.
Other people suffer from enlarged joints which create footwear problems and quite often develop overlying callous which can exacerbate their problems.
We are able to advise patients on comfortable and accommodative footwear, as well as make insoles and treat the lesions that are creating the discomfort and pain. Quite often good padding on the affected areas will reduce weight bearing and give a great deal of relief.
Gout can create a sudden onset of extreme pain with swelling and redness. This is best treated with medication from the doctor and rest.
DIABETIC FEET
Diabetes can affect the circulation and sensation in your feet. This may result in problems occurring in the feet without you being aware of them.
We treat ischameic and neuropathic feet and ulceration.
We are able to perform annual checks for diabetics; testing the circulation with a Doppler and various neurological tests.
Liz Pendry is a Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist who runs a Diabetic Foot & Assessment Clinic at our West Ewell practice on Friday mornings.
TOENAIL PATHOLOGIES
There are numerous problems patients come to us with. These are two of the most common:
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Discoloured and thickened nails
There are various causes of discoloured and thickened nails. Quite often they can be caused by damage from trauma or small trauma in the past. Sometimes the damaged nail will have let a bacterial or fungal infection into the nail bed. The nail can appear white, yellow, brown or black, in a section or the entire nail. We are able to treat these problem nails and make them more comfortable.
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Ridged nails
Nails can become ridged through age or damage to the nail as it is growing. Sometimes the ridges can run laterally but more commonly they run down the nail. They do not normally create any pain.
ELECTROSURGERY
Electrosurgery is the use of a radiowave to cut out verrucae. The treatment is done under a local anaesthetic, then the small area infected with the verruca virus is removed, and a dressing applied.
We see the patient again 2 days after surgery and then a week later to change the dressing. This is a very successful and quick method of getting rid of verrucae.
PLANTARFASCIITIS
This is a very painful condition. Pain can be felt anywhere around the heel and arch area. Athletes as well as non-athletes get this condition and it can last from 6 weeks to 6 months. We like to treat our patients with shock absorbing insoles, and we advise them on stretching exercises, massage and appropriate footwear.
We also use ultrasound treatment to reduce the inflammation around the heel tissue.
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound is applied using a round-headed wand that is put in direct contact with the patient's skin. Ultrasound gel is used on all surfaces of the head in order to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves.
It is used to treat deep tissue injuries by stimulating blood circulation and cell activity, with the aim of reducing pain and spasms, as well as speeding up healing.
We use it on heel pain, plantarfasciitis and tendon injuries.
The treatment is only applied to the skin for about 5 minutes.
We use it in conjunction with exercises, stretching and strapping.
VERRUCAE & WARTS
Verrucae are caused by the human papilloma virus and can be anywhere on the foot. They start off as small circles in the skin, and can become quite enlarged and painful. Sometimes they can replicate so that you may get a cluster of small verrucae together.
Some verrucae respond to home treatments. But when they have got too big or painful we offer a variety of treatments. These include chemical cautery, cryotherapy and electrosurgery. We choose the right treatment for each individual patient.
We always book a patient for a follow-up treatment as it is unusual for verrucae to resolve in just one treatment.
Chemical Cautery is when verrucae are treated with a chemical or mixture of chemicals to remove the verruca or wart.
Some treatments involve keeping the foot dry.
We suggest that in order to be successful regular follow up appointments are made.
BIOMECHANICS
This is the study of movement during walking or running.
We are able to offer a biomechanical assessment of adults and children, to see whether their gait is in the range of normal or will need some orthotics.
We offer a range of casted and non-casted orthotics.
METATARSALGIA
This is a common complaint where pain is felt around the ball of the foot. Sometimes it can last for up to 6 weeks.
We provide our patients with forefoot cushioning, and some appropriate orthotic devices may be necessary. Correct footwear can make all the difference.
ORTHOPAEDIC SHOES
Mary and her team at the Ewell clinic have been trained to measure and fit these very comfortable and supportive shoes. The clinic has a range of smart, casual, sporty and leisure styles for men and women.
Why not pop in and have a look?
Dr. Comfort footwear offers you the following features:
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Half sizes and up to four width fittings
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Extra width and depth in the toe box to help prevent pressure on swollen feet, bunions or hammertoes
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Superior quality gel plus insert gives additional comfort, stability and support
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Finest quality top grain leather
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Non-skid hard wearing outsole for better traction and support
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Padded leather lining reduces friction and improves fit, whilst keeping feet cool and dry