Podiatry

The podiatry service assess, diagnose and treat disease and conditions affecting the foot, its structures and the lower limb.

The professional who treats these conditions is known as a podiatrist.  Podiatrists play an important role in maintaining the mobility and tissue health of many patients with long term conditions through treating and monitoring foot health.

The aim is to relieve pain, treat skin and soft tissue wounds and improve mobility and independence which can be caused by medical conditions (such as diabetes and circulatory problems) or musculoskeletal (MSK) issues affecting their feet.

Podiatry at Frimley Health 

Our podiatry services diagnose and treat foot conditions, including foot ulcers and wounds that occur as a result of disorders such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy; as well as musculoskeletal disorders of the foot resulting in pain or discomfort in the lower limbs.
  
Our MSK service works closely with orthopaedic consultants in the foot and ankle unit and also treats children with developmental issues.

We regularly carry out nail surgery on high risk patients referred directly by our consultants.

At all our hospitals, podiatrists work within multi-disciplinary teams including medical specialists and therapists from other departments, such as diabetology, rheumatology, vascular, paediatrics, plastics and pain clinics. We believe this collaborative approach is the best way to manage our patients.

Referrals to the FHFT podiatry department for both inpatients and outpatients are made by a healthcare professionals. We do not accept self referrals.

Outpatient appointments are for diabetes wound care and MSK services only. There is no outpatient service for less serious foot conditions and general foot care.  People requiring this service may be eligible to attend their local community NHS podiatry service or may need to seek treatment from the private sector.