Bartholomew Way Clinic

Referring for a surgical opinion

Although as podiatrists we treat many different foot conditions with conservative and minor surgical approaches. There are conditions that do not respond sufficiently and we therefore need to refer you to a surgeon (sometimes via your GP).

Bunions- Where the big toe joint pain is too severe and doesn’t respond to orthotics or shoe modifications then surgery may be the only option.

Bunionette or tailors bunion- This is a ‘bunion-like’ deformity on the outside of the foot instead of the inside. If the prominence is too big and cannot be made more comfortable with insoles, shoe stretching or modifications then surgery may be the only option.

Hallux Limitus or Rigidus – This is a stiff immobile and enlarged big toe joint, often with no angular change like a bunion. If shoe stiffeners, rocker soles and orthotics can’t help then some form of surgical intervention may be indicated. This is often fusion of the joint in a more tolerable fixed position.

Hammer and mallet toe – These are deformities of the lesser toes (2 to 5) . If they do not respond to silicone orthodigital splints, polymer gel products, felt padding, general chiropody, footwear stretching and modifications or for aesthetic reasons surgery may be the only option.

Morton’s Neuroma – Long term presentations of this nerve inflammation / fibrosis condition may only respond to surgery. Early interventions of orthotics, shoe advice, and physical therapies may settle the problem, but often surgical referral is required.

All of these problems can be treated in a day case surgery unit under local anaesthesia ; Surgery for bunions , hammer toe and  hallux rigidus may require internal fixation.

Cold Weather

We are and have been fully open every day except last Wednesday the first day of the snow. West Sussex County Council and Horsham Distric Council have performed this time and kept the roads open and easily passable.

All our practitioners have been able to travel into Horsham,  Mahmood from Eastbourne, Charles from Redhill and Martin & Andrew from Ashington and Storrington respectively.

We would advise extreme caution as our car park is icy, but if you are driven in  then a drop off right outside the door is much easier than a walk across the car park.

Please cancel your appointment if you would prefer and we will rearrange for later in the week or next week when the ice has gone.

Conditions Treated

Our Chiropodists / Podiatrists are all members of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, and registered with the Health Professions Council.

They are all trained and experienced in gait analysis and lower limb bio-mechanics assessment as well as general and routine foot care. We provide specialist footwear advice, and can also prescribe footwear and suitable modifications, to compliment any foot orthotic or insole therapies required.

We offer professional assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all foot and lower limb problems.

General chiropody treatments are available for corns, callus and verrucae. Our aim is to provide management plans for long-term relief from these painful problems.
Ingrowing toenails can be treated conservatively with painless cutting and packing or solved permanently with simple painless surgeries to reshape or remove the nails altogether.

Many skin conditions of the foot can be treated, with our extensive knowledge of dermatology of the lower limb.
Athletes foot and fungal infections of skin and nail can be solved permanently with treatments for skin, shoes and socks, and advice on avoiding further recurrence of symptoms.
Eczema and Psoriasis of the foot, and chronic heel cracking can be successfully treated.

Bunion joints, hammer toe and other painful arthritic joints can be alleviated with physical therapies, custom and stock insoles, and orthopaedic footwear or modifications to existing shoes. When these problems go beyond conservative treatment referrals are made to one of a number of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons, or podiatric surgeons.

Patients with heel pain, plantar fasciitis or policemans heel can be reassured that with treatment, their condition will resolve in the shortest possible time, without resorting to steroid injections.

Running or sports injuries to the foot or lower limb can be addressed in conjunction with the physiotherapists, utilising video gait analysis, computer foot pressure measurements standing and running. Treatments include numerous physical therapies, including ultrasound, taping, manipulation, exercise and stretching regimes prescribed using our physiotools computer programs, custom foot orthotics and dispensing of Asics sports footwear chosen with your foot-type in mind.

Digital foot casting is performed using our swiss-made Orthofit 3D footscanners either standing or seated. Insoles are then manufactured onsite in our new Orthema M51CNC milling machine, and fitted the same day, appointments allowing.

Minor surgeries with the use of local anaesthetic are available for long-term treatment of in-growing toenails and persistent, troublesome verrucae and corns.