MSK podiatrists assess and treat people who have any injury, disease or problem that relates to muscles, bones, joints and peripheral nerves.
They may also provide advice to help you manage your condition, or refer you to other services as appropriate. The MSK podiatry service is based in a variety of health centres and hospital outpatient departments across all of Forth Valley.
Common MSK Foot Conditions
Use the links above to different parts of the foot to get information and exercises for specific foot conditions. The exercises are mostly designed to be completed at home without any equipment. While exercising please remember to wear comfortable clothing. For the exercises which use a wall please use a smooth wall free from any objects.
If your exercises cause a large increase in your pain or after six to twelve weeks there is no noticeable changes in your day to day symptoms then please contact your GP or self-refer to MSK podiatry.
This information has been reproduced with permission from NHS Lanarkshire and adapted for use by NHS Forth Valley. Further useful information can be found at the NHS Inform website.
Disclaimer: The information and videos are not a substitute for an assessment, diagnosis, or treatment for a medical condition and any exercises shown are not specific to your medical condition. Please remember if there is any doubt about your fitness for doing these exercises then discuss this with your GP or healthcare professional.
How can I access an MSK Podiatry in NHS Forth Valley?
There are several ways you can access MSK podiatry:
- Your GP may refer you
- Another health care professional may refer you
- You can self-refer to Podiatry via the podiatry hub by contacting 01324 567950, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
What happens after Podiatry receive my referral?
Your details will be added to the podiatry waiting list based on your clinical need.
- You will be contacted shortly after we receive your referral by a member of our admin team for our screening process
- Once your referral has gone through the screening process, you will be offered one of the following options:
- You will be provided with self-care information
- You will have a clinician-based consultation by a telephone or a video consultation
- You will have a face to face consultation
- The screening process will identify your urgency of clinical need and the appointment option as described above.
- After the first appointment, you and the Podiatrist will agree a treatment plan.
You may be offered a face to face appointment in your local health centre or at another site in Forth Valley. If the site you are offered does not suit you, please ask for an alternative. Please note that if you choose not to accept the first available appointment across Forth Valley you may need to wait longer.
How should I prepare for my MSK Podiatry appointment?
- Bring a list of any medications you are taking
- Please wear, or bring suitable clothing to change into (shorts, loose trousers) so that the podiatrist can examine individual joint range and muscle power appropriately
- Please also bring along a few pairs of your current footwear for review by your podiatrist
- Please ensure you are beside your phone at the pre-agreed time and ready to take the call
- The assessment can take up to 30 minutes so please ensure you have time set aside at the beginning and end to complete the assessment
- Please ensure you have a list of any medications you are taking
- Please be aware this consultation may lead to a face to face appointment
- Charged-up computer, tablet or smartphone with a built-in camera or microphone
- Quiet, well-lit place where you won’t be disturbed
- Good internet connection
How does a Near Me video consultation work?
Setting up
- We will e-mail, text, or send a letter with your appointment time and any information you need
- Make sure you’re familiar with the software before your appointment by testing the before the appointment
- Make a list of any questions and/or issues you want to discuss before the video call to help you get the most from your consultation
Starting the video call
- Start the video call a few minutes before your appointment by following the link provided in google chrome or safari
- You will be asked to confirm your name, date of birth and telephone number so we can call you if we get cut off
- Your podiatrist will join you when they are ready
The Consultation
- You can look at the podiatrist’s face while they are talking. If there are technical issues with picture or sound the podiatrist will phone you instead
Ending the video call
- Ask us any questions you like before you go. The podiatrist may also ask you to explain your understanding of the diagnosis and agreed treatment plan before ending the call
- If another appointment is required the podiatrist will arrange this
- You can leave feedback to help us make future consultations better
Further information can be located on the Near Me website.
Who do I contact if I need to change my appointment?
Please phone the Podiatry hub as soon as possible if you need to re-arrange or cancel your appointment.
You can contact the Podiatry hub on 01324 567950, Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 6 pm.
New appointments must be declined within 7 days of the date of the appointment letter to maintain your position on the waiting list.
What happens if I do not attend my appointment?
If you fail to attend your appointment without contacting us you will be discharged from the service. If you cancel two consecutive appointments, or three within an episode of care, you will be discharged. Remember each missed appointment costs the NHS at least £136.
What to expect from your Podiatrist
Your Podiatrist will take a detailed account of your presenting problem along with information related to your past medical history, medication, general health and social history including hobbies and occupation.
A physical examination may be carried out which will vary depending on your specific condition and the medium being used (phone call or video call or face to face).
If there is a definitive diagnosis then this will be discussed along with a prognosis and how podiatry can help. The podiatrist will want to gain an insight into your perception of the problem. It is very important to discuss your expectations and set realistic goals that podiatry can help you achieve at this stage. The possible treatments will be explained and will be based on the best clinical evidence available. The potential benefits and risks of the treatment options will be discussed. The podiatrist may also discuss the option and implications of doing nothing.
What the Podiatrist will expect from you
If you choose to engage with podiatry, the expectation is that you will work alongside the podiatrist and follow your agreed treatment and rehabilitation programme under supervision, as well as on your own at home or in a gym to try and achieve your agreed goals.