Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a healthcare professional dedicated to the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. Podiatrists complete a university degree in Podiatry prior to entering into practice. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
What qualifications do your podiatrists have?
All of our podiatrists at Dulwich Podiatry are university graduates and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated. They are all Members of the Royal College of Podiatry. Our Clinical Director, Debbie, has a Masters Degree in Theory of Podiatric Surgery and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Podiatry and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
What other parts of the body are podiatrists able to treat?
We are insured to treat hand pathologies that also occur on the feet eg. verrucae and nail problems. We are also insured to perform cryosurgery to the whole of any limb.
How can I pay for my treatment?
Most of our patients are self-paying.
Dulwich Podiatry is also registered with some medical health insurance companies. If you are paying through private medical insurance, you should check with your provider that your treatment is covered. You will need to provide your insurance authorisation code for your first consultation. Dulwich Podiatry will bill the insurance company directly for the costs of your consultation/treatment.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
Missing your appointment or cancelling without giving us enough notice may result in a fee. Please read our Failure to Attend and Cancellation policy in full HERE.
What should I do if I am unhappy following my treatment?
The team at Dulwich Podiatry Ltd aim to provide the highest quality of patient care to all our patients. On the rare occasion problems arise, our aim is to resolve any complaints swiftly and amicably. Please call us in the as soon as an issue arises and we will do our best to resolve it. If you remain dissatisfied and wish to make a formal complaint, you can find our Complaints Policy HERE.
What does a biomechanical assessment consist of?
We can offer you a computerised gait analysis (CGA) appointment, which will aid the podiatrist in diagnosing your foot problem and monitor the effectiveness of your treatment plan.
A full biomechanical assessment includes this but also gives us the additional data required to enable the prescription of customised orthoses. We usually scan or cast for orthoses during a biomechanical assessment (or top up appointment if CGA has already been undertaken).
How long do orthoses last?
Depending on the weight of the patient and the amount of use, off the shelf orthoses last between 6-24 months
The shell of customised orthoses will last some years although the top cover may need replacing if there is heavy wear.
What is the difference between steroid and local anaesthetic injections?
A steroid injection is anti-inflammatory and is usually used for joint pain
Local anaesthetic is analgesic and blocks pain temporarily, usually to
undergo a painful procedure
Can cryosurgery be used on pregnant women?
Yes
From what age can you use cryosurgery and laser?
It is not recommended to use cryosurgery on children under 12, except in exceptional circumstances.
Low level laser can be used at any age and is a very effective for verrucae in children.
Is leukoplast just as effective as duck tape for verrucae?
There have been no comparative trials between leukoplast and duck tape. Leukoplast is made for use on the skin and is easier to use as it is more pliable.
What is the efficiency of Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (PACT) for fungal nails?
PACT is a safe treatment of children and pregnant women and has approximately a 75% success rate.
