Podiatrists are health care professionals who provide preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of patients with foot and lower limb injuries. They are trained to assess and treat the lower limb for biomechanical deformities and musculoskeletal injuries. At Achilles Heel clinic, our podiatrists are registered with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means that they have undertaken and passed a full-time degree in podiatry and met with stringent entrance criteria set by the HCPC, so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands.

At your first appointment, your podiatrist will perform an initial assessment, taking a detailed history of your condition together with any relevant past medical history. A physical assessment will then be undertaken to determine the clinical diagnosis of your problem, which will be explained to you by your clinician. This will probably involve removing your socks and shoes and performing a short walk up and down the corridor to allow the podiatrist to perform a gait assessment. The initial consultation lasts approximately 1 hour. During this time, your podiatrist will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and you will be given lots of advice about your condition. Following the assessment, your podiatrist may deem it necessary to provide you with an insole or orthotic. Insoles and orthotics are foot supports that are placed in the shoes to help improve foot function and alleviate symptoms. There is a wide variety of insoles and orthotics available, ranging from off-the-shelf insoles to custom-made orthotics. The type of insole that you require depends entirely on your specific needs, which will be determined by your podiatrist.


Your podiatrist can provide various types of insoles, whether it's for everyday footwear, a running shoe or a golf shoe. Should a custom-made insole be required, your podiatrist will take a Plaster of Paris impression (cast) of your feet. This then gets sent off to a laboratory to be manufactured according to your individual needs. The orthotics can be made available within a week if necessary, and your podiatrist will ask you to return for a follow-up appointment in order to allow the insoles to be fitted correctly, as well as provide you with any relevant advice and information. Sometimes one or more adjustments need to be made to the orthotics to improve their efficiency, improve their comfort or improve fit. Your podiatrist will then suggest that you make a follow-up appointment to allow for this if required.