Christopher Williams

D.Pod.M., M.Ch.S., H.P.C. Registered

ABOUT CHRIS

Having qualified as a chiropodist from the London Foot Hospital in 1976 I spent the first few years of my career gaining experience in the NHS and rising rapidly through the ranks to become chiropody manager for Maidstone Health District. The limited scope of practice and lack of career prospects quickly sapped my enthusiasm and I left my job and the profession in 1980 and spent the next four and a half years working in the pharmaceutical industry. I returned to chiropody in 1984 and have been in private chiropody and podiatry practice in Tunbridge Wells ever since. I have also developed a practice in Sevenoaks and spend one day a week working at a specialist clinic in London's Harley Street.

I love my work and the personal contact with my patients but would like to spend more time sailing and skiing. My heroes are Ernest Shackleton and Ratty.

PODIATRY

About Podiatry Podiatry has developed from its origins in chiropody to become the medical speciality dealing with assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the lower limb. It has a broad scope of practice focusing on the use of scientific principles for the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of foot and leg disorders.

What can Podiatry help with?

Podiatry has a major roll to play in the treatment of nearly all disorders and injuries of the foot. It also plays a part in the management and treatment of many systemic disorders and conditions which affect the lower limb. The following list gives an idea of the scope of this therapy:

• Biomechanical gait analysis
• Provision of bespoke orthoses and insoles
• Children's foot problems
• Sports injuries
• Advice and exercise programmes
• Nail surgery
• Verruca treatment
• Diabetic care
• Routine treatment for hard skin, corns and toe nails

A multi-disciplinary approach is far more rewarding than a 'Stand alone' treatment for patient and practitioner. A committment to working in and with teams including a wide variety of health care professionals creates the best outcomes for patients.

Podiatry looks at the root causes of a patients' problems and has strong links with biomechanics and the ways in which biomechanical principles affect us. Our family history, our lifestyle, our exercise and sporting activity, our footwear, our current medical status, our posture and other considerations all affect our legs and feet and can be affected by our legs and feet. By combining treatment with exercise programmes, footwear advice and the provision of orthoses and other foot supports, podiatry plays an important role in the treatment of the lower limb.