Podiatric surgery in Greenwich

Podiatric surgery is the investigation and treatment (either surgical or non-surgical) of complex foot and ankle problems.

From first thing in the morning until last thing at night, your feet are used many thousands of times for a variety of movements and activities. If a foot is damaged, through injury or disease, it can have a significant impact on many different aspects of life. For example, it may:

• Stop from you taking part in your favourite sport,
• Limit the distance you can comfortably walk,
• Keep you awake at night.

In addition to the physical impact, long-term or severe pain or stiffness in a foot can also affect your mental and emotional health.

If you’re struggling with a serious foot problem, whether new or longer-term, it can be reassuring to have rapid access to an expert for accurate diagnosis and any treatment required.

Your two feet together contain a quarter of the bones in your entire body. This high number is reflected in the potential consequences of any damage to them. In addition, any of the ligaments, muscles, nerves and other structures and tissues in and around the feet and ankles all have the potential to be damaged.

Many people with a foot problem should first consult a Consultant Podiatric Surgeon for a range of common foot problems, or more complex issues and those requiring surgery.

Here at The Blackheath Hospital, our Consultant Podiatric Surgeons provide treatment for all complex foot problems in order to let you get back to enjoying the activities you love as soon as possible.

Some of the conditions and treatments our Consultant Podiatric Surgeons can help with are:

• Forefoot pain, Plantar plate repair, neuromas, toe deformities
• Realignment of bones in the mid-foot (metatarsals),
• Fracture repair,
• Correction of a bunion (hallux valgus) or Hallux Rigidus (osteoarthritis big toe),
• Osteoarthritis in the foot,
• Joint fusion, replacements or decompression (to relieve pressure in a joint),
• Repair of ligament injuries, Tendon repairs
• Sports injuries, ranging from a sprain, ligament or tendon tear through to a fracture,
• Soft tissue swelling, lumps or drainage of a fluid-filled (Ganglion cyst)
• Plantar fasciitis, a common problem causing pain in the heel and bottom of foot,

Please note that the list above is intended as a guide only and is not an exhaustive list of the conditions managed or comprehensive treatments provided by our Consultant Podiatric Surgeons.

Whether you are an elite athlete facing a career-defining foot injury or a non-athlete struggling with increased pain and stiffness in your foot, we can help you.

Correct treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been made, any suitable treatment options can be discussed and arranged.

When you first meet with your Consultant here at The Blackheath Hospital, they’ll talk with you about the problem you’re having with your foot. Everybody is different and your medical story is an important part of the process. Your Podiatric surgeon will want to know things like:

• How long you’ve had your foot problem,
• If you have pain in the foot & ankle, what type of pain it is (e.g. sharp or dull, across the whole foot or localised to one specific area, constant or sporadic?),
• What (if any) treatments you’ve tried so far,
• Whether it’s been getting worse over time.

They’ll examine your foot and ankle, moving them around as they assess the range of motion and flexibility you have. This physical examination helps them to see when you experience pain in the foot and whether you have any level of stiffness or reduced motion within the joints.

Sometimes, additional tests are needed to help with diagnosis. We have private CT, MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray capability here, so these can all be arranged quickly and conveniently for you. On-site Consultant Radiologists (doctors who specialise in interpreting diagnostic images) work closely with your Podiatric Surgeon when needed to assist diagnosis.

If your foot is affected by injury or disease, it can make normal everyday movement like walking and standing challenging, maybe sometimes even painful. If you have more serious damage or advanced disease in the foot, you may need crutches or a walking aid to move around safely.

Your Consultant Podiatric Surgeon will help ensure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible. This may be surgical or non-surgical (conservative). There are a number of good conservative treatments available that can be very effective in some cases, like physiotherapy, rest and pain relief medication. If these do not help, or stop being as effective, you may need surgery to treat the problem.

There are a range of surgical options for foot problems, from a type of keyhole surgery known as arthroscopy through to “open” surgery often used to repair a nasty fracture.

Your Consultant Podiatric Surgeon will discuss any surgical options with you fully so that can make an informed choice about whether to proceed with any recommended treatment.

People choose to meet with our Consultant Podiatric Surgeons for a number of reasons. When you visit with us here at The Blackheath Hospital, you’ll benefit from:

• Rapid access: If you’ve got to the point where you are considering medical help, you won’t want to wait months for an initial appointment. Our consultants can accurately diagnose you and get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
  
  
• Peace of mind: Over 97% of the people we’ve treated in the last year said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend us to their friends and family. It’s normal to feel nervous about needing any type of surgery on your foot, but your doctor will talk through any questions or concerns you may have at any stage of your treatment to help reassure you and put your mind at rest.
  
  
• Flexible appointments: We appreciate that life can often be very busy. We can provide you with consultations at a time that’s convenient for you.
  
  
• Multidisciplinary team: Our Consultant Podiatric Surgeons are supported by a team of healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapist and radiographers. They work together to ensure you always receive the best possible treatment and care.

If you are worried about a foot problem, it’s important to know that good help is available. You are not alone.

There are treatment options available for a wide range of injuries and conditions, both surgical and non-surgical. Why not get in touch today to book a consultation with us? We’ll investigate the cause of your problem and then talk you through any treatment options. If surgery is needed, we can arrange that for you without delay.

If you’re looking for private Podiatric Surgery in London, whether you live in the local area or are travelling from further afield, book your appointment online today for help.