Stupid question alert- should I see a chiropodist for my sore toe?

[MargeSimpson00]

This has honestly only recently entered my head. My little toe on one foot kind of sits underneath the next toe. It hurts in probably 95% of the shoes I own, always has done. I'm on my feet all day in work and limp home every day. I always just thought it was one of those things, but could a chiropodist help? What 4could they do? Don't want to make an appointment and look a dick

I think it's probably a podiatrist you need to see.

I thought they were they same thing glad I asked. What's the difference?

Make an appointment to see your GP, let them take a look at it, then they will decide if you need a referral to a Podiatrist, or if an Orthopaedic consultant referral would be the better option. Both would be free on the NHS, whilst a private Podiatrist appointment may just result in being referred back to your GP should any straightening surgery of your Little Toe be required.

Ah, thanks. Gp still isn't seeing anyone unfortunately so I'll have a long wait

@SavannahLands

Make an appointment to see your GP, let them take a look at it, then they will decide if you need a referral to a Podiatrist, or if an Orthopaedic consultant referral would be the better option. Both would be free on the NHS, whilst a private Podiatrist appointment may just result in being referred back to your GP should any straightening surgery of your Little Toe be required.

Not necessarily a gp. Most practices have first contact podiatrists. Ask the receptionist to direct you to the correct person for your problem.

A podiatrist looks at gait and chiropodist looks at nails/hard etc - very simplistically. You can see a podiatrist privately if you would be happy to pay.

*hard skin

Great, ta all

A podiatrist looks at gait and chiropodist looks at nails/hard etc - very simplistically

Very simplistic and very wrong .
A Podiatrist is the newer accepted name , we are not a Closed Profession and only Pods with HPC accreditation (used to be State Registered ) can work in the NHS .
In Privae Practice (as its not a Protected Name or a Closed Profession) there's not the Legal need to have the qualifications ( used to be Diploma , now Degree )

Yes , I am an NHS Podiatrist , when I qualified it was Chiropodist .
I stay away from Gait Analysis as much as I can TBH , it's not my interest ( though I would refer to collegues who do Biomechanics) .

Marge if you walked into my clinic and said "My little toe hurts in 95% of my shoes" I'd get you to check your shoes first .
Give an honest appraisal . Check the width of where your toes sit (not just the width across the widest point )

Often its good to draw round your barefoot ( weightbearing ) someone can do this for you . Then draw round your shoe . Compare the two .

There are 2 well known Podiatry Mantras

It's easier to change your shoes to fit your feet than to try to get your feet to fit your shoes

And if we all wore transparent shoes ....well we wouldn't .

They can make a little silicone wedge/prop for you .
Or you can get silicone spacers online .
But go to your shoes first and check thoroughly .

HPC accreditation

missed a letter

HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council)

@70isaLimitNotaTarget could I have got it any more wrong? Apologies for my ignorance. My mum did see a chiropodist for her nails and hard skin though.

No woories - It's a question I'm asked very often Leah and I always ask "Do you want the Short Story Long or the Long Story Short?"

I do routine (skin/nail) and High Risk (Ulcers)
I don't have an interest in Biomechanics unless I'm walking behind some poor unsuspecting person and I think "Oh you're over pronating" or "You've got a dodgy knee" " Leg length difference there"
But I don't accost them and tell them
Occupational hazard .

Marge if you walked into my clinic and said "My little toe hurts in 95% of my shoes" I'd get you to check your shoes first
Give an honest appraisal . Check the width of where your toes sit (not just the width across the widest point )

Often its good to draw round your barefoot ( weightbearing ) someone can do this for you . Then draw round your shoe . Compare the two .

Thank you so much. The issue is only 1 foot, and when I say 5% are ok I just mean I'm only a bit achy at the end of the day as opposed to today when I've worn the wrong ones and I'm still in agony 5 hours after taking them off

Appreciate you answering, and not expecting you to work for free by answering all my questions but re the shoe thing, I've found there's no real formula. Wide fitting don't help, it needs a degree of support but not too much. So what should I do with the results of drawing around them? Thanks again and please don't feel obligated to answer.

The drawing round is mainly to see the difference between your shoe toe box area and your foot width when weughbearing - your foot will spread on weghbearing

Shoe width is across the widest point (the ball of the foot) , toebox isn't measured . So if your toebox is narrower your toes will overlap ( d'you see the bit about we don't wear transparent shoes )

Nobody has feet the same size or width or legs the same length. Difference can be minimal and the body adapts . But you can have a natural underlying or overlying 5th toe , not caused by footwear but certainly aggrevated by it .

Good support yes , something to fasten that is adjustable . Stops your foot sliding forwards
Enough wriggle room for toes
Enough cushioning in the sole so you don't need to add an insoles

Thank you so much. I will look into this tomorrow.