How Our Podiatry Clinic Helped Runners in the Marathon des Sables – Keeping Feet Healthy in the Sahara

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) is one of the most gruelling endurance events on the planet. Held annually in the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert, this 6-day ultramarathon challenges runners to navigate through punishing terrain, extreme temperatures, and sometimes, life-threatening conditions. For those lucky enough to participate, the Marathon des Sables is the ultimate test of stamina and determination – but it's also a test of foot health. That’s where podiatrists like us at South London Foot Clinic in Lewisham come in. You can see the start of the race above and the atmosphere amongst the 600 runners for this years race. This is the story about a podiatrist in the Sahara desert. Here is a link to the race itself CLICK HERE  to watch about the race. 

The MDS Race

Lucky enough to be part of the MDS medic team, as we were flown out to...

WHAT IS FASCIA?

The fascia is a three dimensional matrix of connective tissue that covers all

our muscles and tendons. The fascia is directly involved with generating

movement, being able to sense movement and allowing full range of

motion of our joints and limbs. 

Not much unlike a piece of clothing, should you tension one area, this 

tension will be seen through the entire clothing.

 Photo of Human Fascia

WHY THE FASCIA ?

When you get injured the fascia will become restricted and painful. The

fascia is directly involved with force generation, proprieception, flexibility 

and joint stability.  FASCIAL MANIPULATION directly treats these restrictions.

What Can Cause The Fascia To Become Restricted?

• Ankle Sprains 
• Surgery
• Overuse injuries 
• Traumatic injuries
• Sports injuries
• Poor posture 
• Immobility

What is Fascial Manipulation Therapy?

Fascial Manipulation is a world renowned and evidence based treatment 

method for...

In today's fast-paced world, foot and ankle problems can be a major hindrance to our daily lives.

Whether it's a sports injury, chronic pain, or a persistent condition, finding effective treatments is essential.

Shockwave therapy has emerged as a solution for various podiatric issues such as heel pain  Plantar Fasciitis, achilles tendinopathy and leg pain. As well as soft tissue accelerated healing, shockwave can help to heal stress fractures. 

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the ins and outs of shockwave therapy and how podiatrists utilise it to heal you.

When traditional treatments fall short, shockwave therapy steps in as a non-invasive and innovative approach. This article is your definitive guide to understanding the world of shockwave therapy.

We'll cover everything from its definition to how it's used by podiatrists to heal you. Let's embark on this journey towards healthier, pain-free feet.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a...

Foot pain can be frustrating and confusing as to how it started, and what the problem is. It can stop you from enjoying your favourite activities when you are used to being pain-free. 

Sometimes walking can be painful and awkward and you find that other parts start hurting also. 

What is hurting in your Arch?

There are many different structures that can be painful, usually as a result of what we call 'overuse'. Apart from the plantar fascia (a fibrous, ligament-like tissue that functions to support the arch of the foot).

You should be able to feel the plantar fascia at the bottom of your foot, especially if you extend the toes. It is a fibrous tissue that inserts into the toes. 

Is it always the Plantar Fascia that is Painful?

No, of course, there are many other structures that can hurt, such as the flexor tendons to the toes. The posterior tibial tendon inserts into the midfoot, a swollen nerve (Mortons' neuroma), or osteoarthritis of the midfoot....

SWIFT THERAPY FOR VERRUCAE

South London Foot Clinic is now providing treatment with SWIFT THERAPY for verruca on the foot (and hands). SWIFT microwave technology has been developed in the UK for the treatment of verrucae. This technology uses the body's own immune response to detect and eradicate the human papillomavirus (HPV virus), commonly known as verrucae.  

WHY Can Verrucae Be So Difficult To Eradicate?

The HPV virus (verrucae) has an anti-inflammatory protein attached to it that allows the virus to evade detection. This can result in verrucae colonising the skin for years, causing cosmetic disturbance, pain and discomfort. 

What is Swift treatment? 

Swift Verruca treatment uses microwave energy that is delivered through a  probe that is applied to the skin. The skin is heated a few degrees, at the site, only a few mm depth. This elicits inflammation and an immune response. 

There are no bandages, toxic chemicals or...

Leg Pain During or After a Run 

Running has become more and more popular in the past few decades and with this trend so have running injuries.

People who have just taken up running have the highest incidence of injury. It is only after being a regular runner for three years that you become less likely to become injured! 

Leg pain towards the lower, inside of the leg is most commonly shin splints, or the more modern term is medial tibial stress syndrome. The pain is localised 2/3 distal on the bone - in the leg. See the description below. It is one of the most common running injuries seen in recreational runners. 

The pain can come on during a run, immediately after or even the following day.

The pain is a dull ache, and sometimes a sharp pain. There is pain and tenderness to the leg bone at the site seen above. Once established it can stop runners from continuing with their training. 

What is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome MTSS?

There has been...

Walking For Fitness, Health and Well-Being

Walking is one of the best forms of activity you can do for your mental and physical health. Being out among greenery, trees and plants reduces stress levels and improves mood, studies have shown.

Physically, joints and muscles get strengthened as well as the benefit of improved cardiovascular – heart and lung- health.

However, wearing the right type of footwear during your walks is important. We have become increasingly demanding of what our shoes should provide for us.

Now, it’s not only comfort but support to reduce injuries, waterproofing to keep our feet dry, a lighter weight for improved performance and that they look smart and with the latest fashion. No wonder we sometimes struggle to find the best shoes for our feet.

Bad Shoes = Long Term Discomfort

As podiatrists in South London, we see foot problems brought on by poor footwear daily. The most common problem is a shoe/boot that is too narrow. Taking the insole...

Verruca Treatment With Swift Therapy

Verruca or warts are skin lesions that mostly develop on the hand or plantar foot. (There are other types of verruca, however this is written with hand and foot warts in mind). Verrucae are the result of a virus called a human papilloma virus (HPV). 

Verruca can be painful or cause distress by being unsightly, and they can also be difficult to treat with standard treatments. Most over the counter products are not particularly effective in many cases.  

SWIFT VERRUCA TREATMENT 

SWIFT therapy for verruca use microwave technology to heat the tissue to just above normal temperature.  Swift is a UK researched and produced technology introduced and was first licensed for use in verrucae treatments in 2016.  

How does SWIFT Verruca Therapy work?

Verruca virus contain an element that reduces inflammation in the skin. For this reason the verruca can go undetected without the immune system being notified.

...

Children's flat feet

Very young children have flat feet. Development of the foot arch takes ten years to fully form. I often get concerned parents who have looked at their children’s gait and foot posture and have wondered if their children’s feet are normal. In most cases they are.

However there are some feet that won’t develop an arch and some feet  that will cause a problem, or is causing a problem, despite being a physiological (normal) flat foot.  

Who should be treated with Orthotic foot supports?

It can be difficult for a parent to know if your child would benefit from foot supports.

There are some clues however for parents: if your child avoids running or other high intensity activities. If they prefer to be sedentary, or complain about growing pains, or pain, trip or fall frequently or have aching feet and legs this can be a sign that they would benefit from arch supports. Children shouldn't be complaining of pain...