Hi all. Thanks to everyone who replied to my question about my foot pain. Amazing support as always.I self referred to NHS podiatry and received a very quick response by letter which said my condition wasn't urgent, and I'd been put on a waiting list.
The waiting list was longer than they'd like, but didn't say how long (months, years?) and invited me to request to be removed if I didn't want to wait......
I suppose this is better than my referral to occupational health by rheumatology for which to date I've received no response at all.
Just wondered if this is typical of podiatry on the NHS? I could try private podiatry, but assume if a scan is needed I'd be referred back to my GP, so am I better off just going to my GP? Or would just refer me to podiatry!
Cheers. Seb
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Sebastian247
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I personally would look into a private appointment. They have much more experience in assessing feet. The one I attend has ultrasound scans which they can use as part of your appointment if need be. Mine only charges £34, everything in that time frame included in the price. Most NHS podiatry clinics have long lists. You can stay on the list, whilst you explore private..
I paid privately to a private foot clinic with Plantar Fasciitis as diagnosed by GP. The podiatrist offered to inject it for £ 1000. Was actually a broken heel. ! So be careful who you go to
Podiatry was privatised at my GP practice (free to me as an NHS patients, but contracted out to a private provider). I got seen within 24 hours and started laser treatment one week later. That was about 6 years ago though. But exceptional care.
If you can afford private treatment - and I mean truly afford it, not scrape to pay for it - it's probably worth it if podiatry has been recommended. Otherwise keep at them and they might move you up the list. There are online resources for exercises you can do in the meantime to help yourself along. Good luck.
Thanks. What exceptional service and treatment. Things where I live seem to be in the dark ages by comparison. I had been seeing a physio for my joint pain but they can't help me whilst my RA is uncontrolled so it's been stopped, it seems when I need help most.I'll be looking into podiatry next week.
I saw my GP who sent me for an ultrasound showing arthritis, then referred me to NHS podiatry. I couldn’t wait so went private. The consultation was £150 plus cost of orthotics were very expensive and didn’t work for me.
Months later my NHS MSK podiatry appointment came up. They were great, explained my problem in detail and gave me exercises to strengthen my feet and improve my gait.
A year later I still get some pain but very minimal and I don’t wear the orthotics.
Maybe as others have said go on the NHS list while you look at private.
I have both RA & PSA. I lost my toenail due to psoriasis and as it was growing back I was getting repeated infections. Couldn't even have a bedsheets touching my toe. My GP referred me and I was accepted but told 3 month wait. Went private, best £50 I spent.
I was seen by hospital podiatrist. It was a total waste of time. Out of the hour appointment she copied my typed list of medication which took her half an hour. Then showed me a picture of a walking boot which was the ideal footwear. Did not tell me my results of foot Xray taken 6 months ago at the hospital. She watched me walk and told me to continue using my scholl active gel insoles if I felt they worked. I am not going to walk in walking boot ever where I assure you!
Private appointment will probably be more helpful but keep on nhs waiting list as may be more help than mine.
I self referred (in Derbyshire) with a wound on my foot that wasn't healing successfully and was given an appointment within 2 weeks. At the appointment I was informed that because of my RA I was entitled to be seen every 3 months to have my feet checked, nails clipped etc. I've had 2 appointments since the original one and the would has now healed successfully.
The money I spent on private podiatry was some of the best I've ever spent. The orthotics were a life saver until the bursitis/inflammation was better controlled.
If you can get yourself to Hull maybe? Simon Coop is fantastic. Most private people/organisations nowadays have reviews on their website. Maybe have a look around and do a little research to find someone who comes recommended.
Did see an NHS podiatrist and the service was woeful, I actually believe the orthotics they created could have potentially done more harm to my feet than good!
It’s hit & miss around the country. It’s worth ringing the department to ask where you are on the waiting list & make a decision then. I have found NHS in my area to be rubbish. I have orthotic inner soles & am allowed a new pair yearly but if I go over a year then I have to be re referred. This year a 25 minute appointment saying my current inner soles didn’t need changing were still fine ( they’re not fine & well worn down) then said he would stick something on the sole to raise it a bit at one side. I went home took my trainers off the the bit he had stuck on fell off. I havnt bothered ringing them.
I went to a private podiatrist £50 for consultation. Paid £200 for 6 treatments of ultra sound on the ball of my foot and that helped tremendously. Kept my NHS appointment guybI saw was not interested gave me an off the shelf orthotic for my shoe I never bothered going back
I was referred to podiatry by my RA nurse and got a letter from them to tell me there were no appointments. Not long after that, I mentioned to the nurse what they had told me and hey presto - I got a phone call from the people who handle the bookings to arrange an appointment for about 8 weeks later (something like that). They tell me I've no fat under my feet so just as well I was seen then and that defi ately explains the pain I've had with my feet.
I didn't have to wait long for an appointment in London a few weeks only had the one appointment The appointment useful recommendations on exercise footwear that I had a achilles issue insoles. Had to buy everything he suggested.
I got seen quite quickly but very often podiatry is carried out external to the NHS. Mine was by Blatchford and I had custom orthotics made. If it is Morton’s Neuroma however that needs to be picked up by X-rays/scans that Rheumo could and should organise for you.
Umm I won’t tell you the saga of my orthotics and shoes at my local hospital as it was insane, so I asked to go to the main one as was a bigger orthotics department and more staff, and then things got moving. There were separate orthotics and podiatry departments there. Due to the fittings you need it takes a few appointments (I had 5) and my orthotist wasn’t happy how they were at the back of my heels so sent the final product back for adjustment. She suggested to get another pair of shoes or boots made same time so I did.
I’d keep the NHS appointment even if you go privately. I was seen by my NHS local hospital after waiting 4 months. That was about average then. It was 2014 so well before all the pandemic upheaval of very delayed appointments, etc. They scanned my soles/underfeet on the portable computer like a big laptop you rest your foot onto on the floor and did that in my first assessment along with all the measuring. If you mean a scan to assess if any damage in your foot then the rheumy would organise that in my hospital. Good luck.
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Referral appointment
NHS Appointment delays
No longer at the bottom of the waiting list!!
Posture/Gait specialist - recommendations & advice pleeaasse :)
Any point to going private?
