Podiatry is the area of healthcare that focuses on the feet and lower legs.
A podiatrist helps people who have pain, injuries or other problems in these areas. They can:
- Check how your feet and legs work
- Find out what is causing pain or discomfort
- Treat problems like ingrown toenails, corns, heel pain and foot infections
- Help people with long‑term conditions like diabetes stay safe and healthy
- Give advice on footwear, balance, and how to move more easily
Podiatry helps people stay active, comfortable and independent in their daily lives.
We treat people in hospital, in outpatient clinics and, in some cases, at home.
What services do we provide?
At your assessment appointment we check your feet, make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan. We also give health advice and provide your first treatment.
We focus most on people who have serious foot problems that could put their limb at risk.
After your assessment, you might be referred to one of our specialist clinics, or you may receive a short course of podiatry treatment with our team.
We assess and treat you if you have serious diabetic foot problems. These include foot ulcers, infections, Charcot foot and damaged or dying tissue.
Clinics take place at South Tyneside Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
The biomechanics service looks at how your feet and legs move. We assess pain, walking problems and foot posture. After your assessment, you may be given exercises, footwear advice or special insoles to help your symptoms. We can also provide ultrasound scans and steroid injections if you need them.
Only a GP, consultant or physiotherapist can refer you to this service.
At your appointment, we will talk about your symptoms, examine your legs and feet and watch how you walk. Please wear loose trousers or bring shorts. After the assessment, we explain our findings and create a treatment plan.
Treatments might include exercises, orthotics (special insoles) or specialist footwear. We might also refer you to other services if needed.
Most patients are reviewed after 1–2 months to check progress.
We perform nail surgery - a procedure to remove ingrown or very thick toenails using a local anaesthetic. A local anaesthetic is medicine that numbs the area so you do not feel pain during the procedure.
General podiatry clinics are for patients who have a medical need and require treatment for foot problems such as corns, calluses and nail care.
Where can I find out more?
We do clinics in lots of different places:
Hospitals
- South Tyneside District Hospital - outpatients department
- Sunderland Royal Hospital - Chester Wing, entrance 8
Community locations
Our senior team in Podiatry
Divisional director - Hannah Davidson
Clinical director - Ruth Rayner
Directorate manager - Tim Burdett
