The Social-Historian
My starting point was the 1960 state registration Act, and the reason for that was because Gerry Larkin’s examination of ‘chiropody’ had basically run from the 19th century up to 1960. Thus, the sociology of podiatry had already been written up until 1960, but nothing had followed since then. I saw the opportunity, and took it upon myself to be the person to undertake an analysis of the post-1960 profession, and that’s how it happened. There were other brief articles, mainly by the historian Colin Dagnall, which addressed certain features of the profession during those years, but nothing which specifically drew upon the sociology of the professions.
Delayed Big Toe Surgery!
I look at why there is a discrepancy between being admitted to a private hospital through the NHS. In this case we need to get to the ‘heart’ of the problem. Additionally revision surgery and expectations are discussed with Tom in my conclusion.
Selling & Misselling Orthoses
At ConsultingFootPain my colleagues and I try to take the mystique out of foot health science and recognise it is easy to confuse patients. For example, pronation is yet another word based around anatomical movement.
Sports magazines and journals, podiatrists and others use the word pronation all the time. However, do we know or understand the importance of the term, which can be used to confuse? In addition, there is another angle to this word and one that is often attributed to flat feet.
Podiatrist on-call
“Within the domiciliary practice you deal more with mental health issues and health institutions, supported living environments. I’ve been into homes for non-verbal (learning difficulties) adults. A variety of different places really, it’s not just in people’s homes. I’ve seen people who normally attend clinic who’ve maybe fallen over, broken their hip and they can’t get back to the clinics. I’ve seen them at home and there’s a continuity of care there also. And for them, there’s the added bonus of this trusted individual who they’re welcoming into their home.”
Foot Health Practitioner to Podiatrist
Judith entered the University of Ulster podiatry course and as a mature professional, when she qualifies, knows she can start to engage in a wide range of activities that before were out of her reach. FHPs deal with low risk patients and provide an excellent service in keeping their feet comfortable. Judith wants to be able to use modern diagnostic techniques, treat a local foot team and apply musculoskeletal studies at the level that can help her patients.
Sun and Skin Warnings
David explains a solar damage on the face, his consultation and treatment during the Covid experience as part of a case history for the readership at consultingfootpain.co.uk
Threats to Rafael Nadal’s Future?
For you or I, who are low key in our activity, relative to athletes in peak condition, this condition may settle and you can live with the condition adequately. However, the types of forces Nadal creates with tennis foot and ankle contact on the court are akin to the problems beset by Andy Murray with his hip joint. Murray’s hip was more amenable to surgery than Nadal’s foot will be. The reason athletes can push themselves is their competitive streak, motivation, and extreme fitness, long training and ethics to be better than everyone else – this allows them to compensate for the type of problems the regular person would give up on a long time ago.
Musings about corns and callus
My favourite story comes from space
Scott and Don had been in space for 300 and 365 days respectively. Their blogs recorded interesting experiences. Because astronauts are not walking around on the ground under the force of gravity they don’t have to wear shoes in space.
“The calluses on your feet in space will eventually fall off so, the bottoms of your feet become very soft like newborn baby feet. But the top of my feet develop rough alligator skin because I use the top of my feet to get around here on space station when using foot rails.” Scott Kelly
Contact dermatitis and plants
Summer certainly attracts more plants and visitor activity than other seasons. Yet, even as I write this article, I feel itchy. We need to know what to avoid and if we are unfortunate to have a contact rash, we should know what to do. One point about the 10 plants I have picked is that many originate outside the UK while others remain in North America. Given the serious concerns with Japanese Knotweed for example, demonstrates that boundaries do not guarantee that you will come across something that has a kick in its leaf, stem or sap. Skin and respiratory problems arise in some but not all.
A dying healthcare system
Consultants split their time between the NHS and the independent sector, although some remain loyal to the NHS alone. Surgeons often make up their salary in this system, taking away an essential NHS resource – experienced professionals. This was the deal that Bevan had to negotiate. It is true that junior consultants have found it harder to follow their senior colleagues into the independent sector but eventually they trim back their hours if they want to work this sector.