Your podiatrist will spend time talking with you about your lower limb complaints, general health, lifestyle, training regime, occupation, and events pre or post injury (where applicable), however to make an accurate diagnosis and ensure that the treatments are tailored to your needs, detailed assessments of the muscles, joints and supporting structures from your lower back down to your toes will be carried out. These are undertaken with you standing and lying down, and you will be asked to wear shorts so that accurate recordings and measurements can be taken.
In addition the way you walk known as “gait” will be observed and computerised images of your feet taken whilst you stand and walk over a force plate. The RS Scan technology will be used to obtain further information and the use of a treadmill and camcorder may be also used during the appointment. Please bring a selection of the footwear you most commonly wear with you to the appointment as these will also be looked at for any additional information your foot problems may provide.
All your individual findings will then be recorded, evaluated and explained to you. Treatment depends on the pathology but may include footwear guidance or modification, stretching exercises, physiotherapy, cryotherapy, strapping, Ultrasound Therapy, or orthoses which are a special insole worn in your shoes. In severe or persistent cases which do not respond to treatment, there may be a need to refer you for other treatments.