Abstract
Although our feet are essential for our balance, weight bearing and mobility, we have a tendency to ignore them and to take them for granted. This is until something goes wrong with them. Problems with our feet will not only affect our general feeling of well-being but, particularly in the elderly, if these problems lead to falls and impaired mobility it can be the difference between being independent or being dependent on others. Foot health problems can be minor (such as dry skin, long and healthy toe nails) which can be cared for by nurses using basic foot care or they can be more complicated (such as thickened toe nails, corns, diabetic ulceration) where more specialist (e.g. podiatrist) care is needed. This article aims to discuss some of the most common foot health problems primary care nurses in the community might come across, to help nurses identify these conditions and to indicate when a referral to a podiatrist is needed.
Publication Date
2016-08-11
Publication Title
Nursing in Practice 91: 79-83
Publisher
Nursing in Practice
Embargo Period
2024-11-19
Recommended Citation
McMullan, M. (2016) 'Foot health problems – When to refer to a podiatrist', Nursing in Practice 91: 79-83, . Nursing in Practice: Retrieved from https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/hp-research/615
Comments
http://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/foot-health-problems-%E2%80%93-when-refer-podiatrist