What is Podopaediatrics?
Podopaediatrics is the study of children’s feet. It is focused on the treatment and correction of early foot deformities and improvement of the Paediatric foot health.
Many deformities that show up in adulthood can be traced back to early foot growth and development in children. Early diagnosis and intervention is therefore essential.
Who do we see?
The Podopaediatric Service in NHS Borders is aimed at children under 16, specifically targeting muscoskeletal problems. Skin or nail issues are seen by the Community Podiatry team.
Role of the Paediatric Podiatrist?
The role of the Paediatric Podiatrist can differ from other sectors of Podiatry as we can offer the opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive in the management of the patient. This allows opportunity to correct deformity early and maintain normal foot function into adulthood.
It is not always necessary to indulge in physical treatment and often sessions can involve monitoring, charting, advising and reassuring.
About our Service
All children requiring a muscoskeletal assessment will be seen for an initial consultation by the Paediatric Podiatrist at Galashiels Health Centre. Any follow up appointment will be either triaged to the community clinics or remain in the care of the Paediatric Service. This will be determined on an individual needs basis and not by preferred location by the patient.
The clinics take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We mostly see children in health care settings but can offer assessments in schools or patients homes if more appropriate.
Requests can be made from a health professional, such as G.P, Health visitor, Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist or from a teacher or from any other person who has close dealings with the child such as a teacher, parent or guardian.
What Next?
There are several ways in which support might be offered, which include:
Providing reassurance, advice and support
Providing information, e.g. activity resources, parent/carer workshops and health promotion
Signposting to other services, community resources etc.
Podiatry assessment