The team at Davenport House were thrilled to welcome Olympic athlete and sporting hero Steve Smith to the clinic this week. Steve is Britain's most successful ever high jumper, having won a medal in every major championship including the Olympic games. At just 23 years old, Steve was a bronze medallist at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the first British man to win a medal in the high jump since 1908. Steve's indoor mark of 2.38 metres and his outdoor mark of 2.37 metres are British records in the high jump and have remained for an incredible 16 years! Steve [...]

Our feet are often neglected because they are hidden away in shoes and socks most of the time. Many of us are guilty of ignoring foot pain and discomfort and refusing to seek treatment for a Podiatrist or Chiropodist. If you want to keep your feet looking and feeling their best, here are a few tips: Have your feet measured. When we get older our feet become longer and wider. Having your feet measured is often associated with buying children’s shoes but many good shoe shops will offer foot measuring for adults too. Wear good fitting shoes. ‘Sensible shoes’ are [...]

There are several features to a shoe that should be considered before buying for a child. These features are important to all of us but are much more important for the developing foot. The 5 features are size, heel cup, fastener, toe box, and sole. Size It is important to consider the length and the width of the shoe. The best way to make sure of this is to visit a shoe shop where they offer a fitting service. Poor fitting shoes for young children can lead to foot deformities, toenail and skin problems. Heel Cup The heel of the [...]

The most important feature of anything that covers a baby's feet is the size. Pre walking footwear requires particular attention. Before a child can walk the bones in the foot are very soft and prone to changing shape if restrictive footwear is placed around them. Knitted footwear is great for keeping feet warm, but size and closeness of knit should be checked. Loose knits can wrap around toes and potentially reduce circulation. The advantage of knitwear is that it is soft and depending on the tightness of knit can be less restrictive than other materials. When choosing baby grows always [...]

The team at Davenport House Clinic are very proud to have received the prestigious Practice Accreditation Award for the second time in a row! The Practice Accreditation Award is awarded by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrist and we were the first clinic in the area to receive this award back in 2008 and we’ve done it again in 2010. For our Practice to have been accredited by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists we have reviewed our standards to ensure that they comply with national standards and best practice within the Chiropody and Podiatry profession. We applied for practice [...]

The team at Davenport House Clinic were proud to welcome the Right to Dream Academy from Ghana to the clinic recently. The talented squad were in Manchester to participate in the Manchester United Premier Cup at Old Trafford. Eight members of the team, along with the teams Physiotherapist Richard Evans, were invited to Davenport House Clinic to try out our brand new, state of the art ProGait suite. ProGait features an orthopaedic treadmill, high shutter speed cameras and force plates for Full Body 4-sided Motion Gait Analysis. All eight boys were able to have a full gait analysis and were [...]

Our Podiatrist / Chiropodist, Tony Gavin has appeared on BBC Radio Manchester as their foot expert, and has also given interviews with local newspapers and radio stations. Most recently Tony was interviewed by Heather Stott live on BBC Radio Manchester. Tony explained the role of a Podiatrist, the difference between a Podiatrist and a Chiropodist and gave advice on the care of your feet. The full recording of Tony’s interview can be found here.

Diabetes is a condition which is affecting a growing number of the population. Most people understand that diabetes has an effect on blood glucose, but fewer understand the implications for feet. Common changes to a diabetic foot include: Dry skin (anhidrotic) Change in shape of the foot (extensor substitution) Hard skin Lack of sensation (neuropathy) Diabetes can lead to dry skin, to effects on the autonomic nervous system. Dry (anhidrotic) skin is more likely to crack or split (fissures). This poses a risk as it can create a portal of infection. It is advisable to moisturise the feet on a [...]

Who can get an Ingrown Toenail? People who cut their nails too short. People who wear shoes that are too tight. Active people who are prone to sweaty feet. People who have foot deformities. People with inherited naturally wide nails. If left untreated any infection can spread to the rest of the foot, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. How do I prevent ingrown toenails? Cut your toenails straight across, avoid cutting down the sides. Ensure the corner of the nail is visible over the skin after cutting. Rotate footwear to reduce the chance of moist [...]

Diabetics have an increased risk of complications with their foot health. This is due to a number of reasons which include: Reduced sensation in the feet (poly-distal neuropathy) Poor blood supply to the feet Changes in the structure of the foot (flexor substitution) Changes in the skin (anhidrotic) It is important that on a daily basis the feet are checked visually at least. This may involve using a mirror if you find it difficult to see the soles of your feet, or asking someone else to look for you. Any breaks in the skin, redness, swelling or heat should prompt [...]