Have you ever been on a walk and had to stop because of a persistent ache or cramp in your legs?

…or perhaps you’ve noticed some unusual changes to the skin or nails on your feet and lower legs? These might not be simple signs of ageing; they could be your body’s way of signalling a common condition known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

PAD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to your limbs become narrowed, reducing blood flow. This can lead to a range of symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore.

Check the Symptoms: Do Any of These Sound Familiar?

• Pain During Activity: A cramping pain in your legs, thighs, or buttocks that consistently appears when you’re active (like walking) but eases after a few minutes of rest.
• Shiny Skin & Hair Loss: The skin on your lower legs and feet may appear shiny, and you might notice a loss of hair in that area.
• Brittle, Slow-Growing Toenails: Your toenails may become hard, brittle, and seem to take forever to grow.
• Changes in Skin Colour: You might notice your feet or legs changing colour, from a healthy pink to pale white or even a bluish tint, and they may feel cold to the touch.

Getting a Clear Diagnosis

If these symptoms resonate with you, the first step is to get a proper assessment. Here at our clinic, we can determine what’s going on using a number of simple, painless tests, including:

• Doppler Ultrasound: To listen to the blood flow in your arteries.
• Capillary Refill & Sensation Tests: Quick checks to assess your circulation and nerve function.

Your Path to Better Health

The good news is that PAD is manageable. Treatment primarily focuses on positive lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. The most effective steps include:

• Regular, gentle exercise to improve circulation.
• Quitting smoking, which is crucial for arterial health.
• Eating a balanced, healthy diet.
• Reducing alcohol consumption.

Every positive change, no matter how small, contributes to better health and can make a difference.

If you’re concerned about your leg and foot health, don’t wait. Contact us today to book an assessment and take the first step towards getting back on your feet with confidence.

The post Are Your Legs Trying to Tell You Something? Don’t Ignore the Signs of PAD. appeared first on FeetPlus Horley and Rochester.

• Mild to severe pain in the ball of the foot or on top sometimes radiating to toes
• Sharp, Shooting pain
• Bruise like pain
• Burning sensation, Numbness and tingling
• Swelling and inflammation

So what’s going on?  – A neuroma is an inflammation and thickening around the nerves that are present between the metatarsals of your foot. The thickening around the nerves is believed to be the result of irritation caused by the nerves being compressed by the metatarsals on either side. This could be due to poor foot mechanics during gait, excessive pronation or footwear that is too tight.

Pronation

This is a word that is no longer unfamiliar to the general public.  Pronation in lay terms is the action of your feet ‘rolling in’ particularly in reference to the way you are walking. It is a normal occurrence but in excess may lead to unwanted stresses in the foot and lower limb. Excessive pronation is a common cause of Morton’s Neuroma. In its early stages, treatment with orthotic insoles can be very successful. Foot orthotics can be made to fit most shoes. They are discreet, comfortable and can be modified and adapted to your specific need.

Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma may include:

• Foot orthotics
• Dome pads
• Silicone orthoses for toes
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Steroid Injections
• Surgery

If you are experiencing symptoms of Morton’s neuroma and it is affecting your daily activities. We strongly recommend you see your Podiatrist as soon as you can for a full assessment and treatment plan. If you want to get back to doing the activities you love foot pain free, a Podiatrist can definitely help.

Sources:

The College of Podiatry website /Foot problems.

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You possibly have cracked heels! – A common condition that usually occurs as a consequence of exposing the skin to the elements.

Skin on the heels can easily get dehydrated when exposed to sun, wind and sea. If not hydrated enough dry skin will split and form cracks also known as fissures. These can then create an entry for bacteria and a risk of infection. Some people are more prone to dry skin, and risk factors include aging, hormones, some systemic conditions, medication and poor circulation.

So how do you keep feet as hydrated as possible? Apart from keeping yourself generally hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day, it really helps to moisturise your feet daily ideally 2-3 times a day. Moisturisers with Urea are strongly advised for very dry skin conditions and cracked heels. Urea is efficient at locking in moisture and thus preventing the skin from over-drying. Bathe your feet in a bowl of warm salty water regularly to deep clean any cracks and then follow with moisturising. 

Podiatrists can help your heels heal!  If you suffer from cracked heels and notice redness and warmth with or without pain get your feet examined by a Podiatrist we will examine your feet to rule out any signs of infection. We can apply dressings, paddings and give you advice to help keep you comfortable.  

We can also get rid of any hard skin followed by deep moisturising with a relaxing foot massage to finish…..Happy summer feet!

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So you have a corn? What can help? A corn is very unlikely to resolve properly without total removal of its core which is best done by a Podiatrist. Podiatrists are medically trained to skilfully remove corns with special sterilised instruments to minimise your risk of infection.

Podiatrists will also advise you on how to prevent the return of these corns by working with you to eliminate excessive load and pressure on your joints causing the skin to overproduce keratin (the skin building protein) as a protective mechanism. This may be in the form of padding, footwear advice and special insoles known as Orthotics. If your skin is too dry a good emollient will work wonders and with regular use can significantly reduce seed corns.

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