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Routine Medical Footcare

Medical footcare is a professional treatment focused on improving the health and hygiene of your feet. Unlike cosmetic pedicures, we use sterile instruments to safely care for your feet. As we age, toenails become difficult to cut, callouses build up, or health conditions may require professional foot care to prevent pain or infection.

Why Choose Medical Foot Care Over a Salon Pedicure?

There are crucial differences focused on your health and safety:

  • Safety & Hygiene: We adhere to strict health regulations, using sterilized instruments for every patient. Regular nail salons are not required to follow these same sterilization practices, increasing risk of acquiring an infection
  • Expertise & Training: Our treatments are performed by registered chiropodists who are extensively trained in all conditions regarding the feet and ankles.
  • Medical Focus/Perspective: Our primary goal is to improve the health of your feet, identify risk factors & prevent future problems to support overall well-being and mobility

Give your feet the health-focused attention they deserve. Here at Lambton Chiropody, our experienced Chiropodists offer safe, effective, and hygienic medical foot care services. Book your appointment today and experience the difference professional care makes for comfortable, healthy feet.

Diabetic Foot Care and Assessments

Individuals living with diabetes face a higher likelihood of foot issues, therefore, dedicating specific attention to their feet is critical. Diabetes can lead to complications such as neuropathy and reduced blood circulation which significantly increase the risk of ulcers, infections, and amputations.

  • Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves leading to a loss of sensation. This means you may not be able to feel pain, temperature changes, or injuries like cuts, blisters, or foreign objects
  • Poor Blood Circulation: Reduced circulation compromises the body’s ability to heal, consequently increasing the risk of infection, ulceration, and ultimately amputation

What Specialized Diabetic Foot Care Involves:
Proactive assessment and routine care are fundamental to preventing serious complications from diabetes.

  • Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment: We provide thorough foot examinations that include checking blood circulation, assessing nerve function, and inspecting foot structure as well as skin and nail quality/integrity.
  • Education: An important part of preventing complications from diabetes is understanding your risk factors- this is why we believe education is key! Following your assessment, we explain any individual risk factors identified and educate you on the vital preventative measures you should incorporate into your daily routine to improve outcomes.
  • Regular Check-ups: It is crucial to follow the Canadian diabetic guidelines which strongly recommend that every individual with diabetes undergo a comprehensive foot examination by a licensed chiropodist at least once per year- even if you aren’t currently experiencing any noticeable foot problems. Early detection and intervention are paramount!

Wound Care

Chiropodists are able to assess and treat foot wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, slow-healing skin lesions, foreign bodies, and infections.

We focus on promoting optimal healing through careful debridement, infection prevention, pressure offloading, and individualized treatment planning. Patient education is a key component of wound care, helping to reduce the risk of complications and recurrence.

Wound care is especially important for individuals with diabetes, poor circulation, or other conditions that may impact healing.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails develop when the corner or side of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin. You’ll know that you have an ingrown toenail if you notice pain, redness, swelling, discharge, and sometimes an infection in the affected toe.

During an ingrown nail appointment, the chiropodist examines the affected nail and surrounding skin for severity and signs of infection. Based on the assessment, the chiropodist may trim the nail, remove debris, and prescribe antibiotics if needed. If the ingrown nail is severe or recurrent, the chiropodist may discuss permanent surgical options, such as partial or complete nail removal, to prevent further issues.

Wart Treatments

Warts are a benign tumour caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear anywhere on the body, but are particularly common and stubborn when they appear on the feet!

Common treatment methods include topical treatments such as medicated creams or solutions to eradicate the virus from the affected skin cells. For more stubborn cases, the chiropodist may perform minor surgical procedures such as excision or needling. These treatments not only alleviate discomfort but also prevent the spread of warts to other areas.

Soft Tissue Surgery

Common soft tissue surgical procedures include toenail avulsion procedures, plantar wart needling or excision, hammer/claw toe straightening by tendon release, cyst aspiration/excisions, foreign body removal and injection therapy. A thorough medical health and physical examination is required to determine whether conservative or surgical treatment is suitable for each patient’s unique management plan. All surgeries conducted in-office are done through local anesthetic with appropriate consultation and follow-up appointments.

  • Toenail avulsion procedure: removal of total or partial nail from conditions like ingrown toenails, thick/deformed nails, and retracted toenails (retronychia)
  • Plantar wart removal: chronic warts that have become resistant to conservative treatment can be removed fully or “needled” to stimulate an immune response
  • Tendon release: tendons that have shortened to cause toe issues like flexible hammer or clawed toes can be released to regain toe structure
  • Cyst treatment: benign cysts can be incised/drained or removed fully from the foot Injection therapy: cortisone injections can be done to reduce pain/inflammation within foot joints, resistant plantar fasciitis, and neuromas

Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom foot orthotics are prescribed following a comprehensive biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to determine their clinical necessity. Using 3D laser scanning technology, orthotics are fabricated to accurately reflect the patient’s unique foot structure and functional needs.

Custom foot orthotics are designed to address a range of biomechanical abnormalities by providing mechanical correction, pressure redistribution, shock absorption, and improved foot function. By optimizing lower limb alignment, custom foot orthotics help to reduce strain on the ankles, knees, hips and spine, contributing to symptom relief in a variety of conditions.

Custom foot orthotics are commonly indicated for patients with conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arched feet, and other sources of chronic foot or lower limb pain. Custom foot orthotics are also beneficial for individuals with increased physical demands, such as athletes.

At the time of dispensing, patients are provided with appropriate education on use and break-in along with all necessary documentation for insurance reimbursement. Chiropodists are licensed to assess, prescribe, and dispense custom foot orthotics as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Custom Compression Socks

Gradient compression stockings are used in the management of venous and lymphatic conditions affecting the lower limbs. They are designed to apply the greatest level of
compression at the ankle, with gradually decreasing pressure towards the knee, to promote venous return (blood flow) and reduce fluid accumulation at the feet and ankles.

Compression therapy is commonly indicated for patients experiencing edema (swelling) in the feet/ankles caused by blood pooling/impaired venous return, painful varicose veins, leg fatigue, cramping, and for blood clot prevention. Compression stockings are ideal for reducing the swelling caused by periods of prolonged standing or inactivity.

A thorough medical history and lower limb assessment are performed to determine the clinical need for compression therapy and to select the appropriate compression level. When custom compression stockings are indicated, precise measurements of the foot and leg are taken to ensure an optimal fit and therapeutic effectiveness. A prescription is provided as part of the treatment plan.

Biomechanical Assessments for Lower Limb Injuries

A biomechanical assessment allows the chiropodist to evaluate the structure, alignment, and movement of the lower limbs to identify abnormalities contributing to pain or dysfunction. This includes assessment of joint mobility, muscle function, gait pattern, and weight distribution. Understanding these factors is essential in determining the underlying cause of symptoms and developing individualized, effective treatment plans.

Biomechanical assessments play a key role in the diagnosis and management of several common conditions:

  • Morton’s Neuroma – An enlargement in the plantar nerve travelling between the metatarsal bones causing pain in the “ball of the foot” region
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) – Dysfunction or degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon leading to progressive flattening of the arch and foot instability
  • Achilles Tendonitis – Inflammation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon, often due to overuse, tight calf muscles, or repetitive strain
  • Sever’s Disease – A common cause of heel pain in growing children, resulting from stress at the growth plate of the heel, often due to bone growth exceeding muscle growth within the lower limb
  • Bunions – A structural deformity where the big toe angles towards the 2nd toe creating a bony prominence at the big toe joint. Often due to genetics, biomechanics, trauma, improper footwear, and inflammatory conditions

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that runs from the heel (calcaneus) to the forefoot (ball of the foot). It is most often caused by repetitive biomechanical stress, overuse, or acute strain. Patients typically present with localized heel pain, particularly with first steps in the morning or after periods of rest, though discomfort may extend along the arch toward the ball of the foot as well.

Plantar fasciitis is often associated with altered foot biomechanics, reduced ankle range of motion/tight calf muscles, improper footwear, or increased load-bearing activities. It can sometimes coexist with heel spurs (although these are typically not the primary source of the pain and are formed as a result of the inflammation in the plantar fascia where it attaches onto the heel).

Management focuses on reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and addressing underlying biomechanical contributors. Conservative treatment is the first-line approach and may include patient education, activity modification, stretching and strengthening exercises, footwear education, and orthotic therapy to improve load distribution/correct underlying foot mechanics. In more persistent cases, advanced interventions such as corticosteroid injections may be considered.

A thorough biomechanical assessment and gait analysis is essential to guide individualized treatment and prevent recurrence.

Callous & Corns

Callous and corns are a buildup of your own skin as a result of repeated pressure/friction. Callouses tend to be diffuse/even in thickness whereas corns developed a harder/deeper centre making them more painful. Chiropodists provide an assessment and treatment of callouses and corns to relieve pain and prevent recurrence. This includes identifying the underlying causes of
pressure or friction, followed by safe and effective debridement of thickened skin. Treatment may also involve offloading techniques, padding, or footwear recommendations to reduce pressure on affected areas.

Dry Skin & Cracked Heels

When callouses build-up on the heels they become prone to developing painful cracks (also called fissures). Chiropodists provide assessment and treatment of dry, cracked skin (including painful heel fissures) to restore comfort and prevent complications such as infection. Care includes thorough evaluation of skin integrity and contributing factors to the callous development, gentle debridement of thickened or calloused skin, and targeted treatments to promote healing of cracks. Patients are also provided with personalized advice on moisturizing, footwear, and preventative care to maintain healthy, resilient skin and reduce recurrence.

Fungal Nails & Skin

Nail fungus (Onychomycosis) is an infection of the toenail causing it to become discoloured, thick, brittle, chalky, &/or crumbly. Chiropodists provide comprehensive assessment and treatment of fungal nail infections, focusing on both symptom relief and long-term management. This includes a detailed evaluation of the affected nails and surrounding skin, safe reduction and debridement of thickened or damaged nails, and prescription of topical or oral antifungal medications when indicated. Patients are also educated on hygiene, footwear, and preventive strategies to reduce recurrence and protect overall foot health.

Athletes foot (Tinea Pedis) is a highly contagious fungal skin infection causing itching, redness, and peeling skin between the toes and on the surfaces of the feet. Chiropodists provide thorough assessment and treatment of fungal skin infections to relieve symptoms and prevent spread and recurrence. Care includes evaluation of the skin and contributing factors which led to contracting the infection, confirmation of diagnosis, and prescription of appropriate topical or oral antifungal treatments when indicated. Patients are also educated on hygiene, moisture control, and footwear choices to support healing and maintain long-term skin health.