Podologie

What is podiatry?

Podiatry is the science that is going to focus on everything to do with the lower limb. Thus, a podiatrist is going to deal with looking for solutions to complaints at the level of the feet, knees, hips and even the lower back. Together with the patient, the podiatrist will draw up a treatment plan to start addressing the cause of the problem so that the patient can resume his or her activities complaint-free.

In practice

When the patient visits the practice for the first time, the podiatrist conducts an anamnesis. During this intake interview, we get to know each other and it is immediately made clear what is expected of each other. Thereafter, we proceed to the effective treatment and in this, a distinction can be made between podiatric foot care on the one hand and a biomechanical examination on the other.

Indications

Below is the distinction between podiatric foot care and biomechanical examination.

Podological foot care

While performing podological foot care, the podiatrist will trim and trim toenails, clear the grooves between the toenail and the skin and remove calluses. Specific complaints such as ingrown toenails and starfish eyes are also addressed at that time. For ingrown toenails, the podiatrist will start assessing whether the placement of a nail brace is necessary or whether padding (cloth between toenail and skin) of the grooves is sufficient. For recurrent starfish eyes, the podiatrist may make a custom-made felt for the patient. Such a felt will start putting pressure and friction on the foot in certain places in such a way that starfish eyes do not have free play. In some cases, silicone therapy will also be started. Such silicone is actually a small form that you wear around or between the toes to protect and correct. (e.g. toe misalignment, also starfish eyes…) A podiatric foot care session takes 45 minutes. The price is € 40. For limited podiatric foot care (only a corn or an ingrown nail), the price is € 30.

Diabetic screening

During a diabetic screening, the podiatrist is going to start assessing whether the diabetic patient (both type 1 and type 2) is considered at risk. Based on certain tests, the podiatrist will then start evaluating whether the ‘diabetes’ is under control or not. Podiatric foot care plays an important role in this and is appropriate in diabetic patients on a regular basis. Moreover, as a diabetic patient, you are entitled to 2 reimbursements in 1 calendar year. A diabetic screening takes half an hour and costs € 30. For podiatric foot care, the price is € 40.

Biomechanical research

During a biomechanical examination, the podiatrist is going to determine what is causing the biomechanical complaints. Common complaints include forefoot pain, heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, knee pain, hip pain and low back pain. During such an examination, it is important that the patient wears shorts in such a way that the podiatrist has an overall view of the lower limb, both left and right. The patient should also bring several shoes so that the podiatrist can give his advice on these. Indeed, a lot of complaints can be caused by wearing irresponsible footwear.

During the anamnesis, a lot becomes clear to the podiatrist and he can better assess what to look for during the examination.

During the clinical examination, muscle length, muscle strength and joint mobility of various muscles and joints of the lower limb are examined. Specific tests are also done according to the complaint.

Inspection is also an important part of biomechanical examination. Here, one can start to discover misalignment at the level of certain structures of the body.

The podiatrist also has the patient step and walk on the treadmill. Footage is taken of this, which the podiatrist can play slowly afterwards and analyse.

A scan take of the feet is also made. If podiatric soles are made, they can be fully custom-made for the patient. This with the necessary corrections and comfort to start positively affecting stepping and walking.

Based on the whole examination, at the end the podiatrist can start assessing whether podiatric soles can address the cause of the complaint or whether referral to other disciplines may be needed. (kiné, osteopathy, …) 

• A biomechanical examination takes 1 hour and costs € 70.
• For 1 pair of podiatric soles, they charge € 200.
• For children under 18, a pair of soles is € 160.