Pre Camino Podiatry Visit

[spagirl]

I don't have any particular issues but decided I would go to a podiatrist before I did. Im about 5 weeks out from leaving.

I can't recommend this enough!! She evaluated my shoes, my pack, my socks. I was given advice on foot care, blister treatment and prevention. She assessed my gait. She brilliantly and simply solved an annoying toe curl issue thats bugged me my whole life. I even got sample size of anti friction rub and heel lifts. Wow the heel lifts made my shoes feel brand new. That alone more than paid for the visit. I was going to get new shoes. She changed my socks, gave tips on lacing my shoes for various issues and gave me a list of pre and post walk exercises to do on the trail that don't require equipment etc. She informed me of the fact that I had less mobility in part of my foot which she thought would cause foot problems as I age and gave me a print out of things to solve it; likely saving me a knee replacement down the road. She also checked out ( an thankfully approved )my post walking sandal that I planned to bring. Her advice and tips were amazing and useful outside the camino. She also gave advice on walking up or down hills to prevent foot/leg issues that were specific to my feet and gait and pace.
She even got a list of Spanish equivalents ( brand names) of common meds, first aide items that I could possibly need. Most impressive was her email address and an invitation to face time a consultation while in Spain if I ran into pain or trouble.

I can't recommend this enough. I really do feel she has helped my injury/ pain prevention.

 

[Robo]

That podiatrist sounds awesome. I've never met one that thorough.......

How much is a flight to Canada!

 

[LGLG]

That’s what I need! Unfortunately all I have come across is a couple of podiatrists who seem only interested in selling orthotics! Is there any advice you would be able to share for other - especially older- pilgrims who don’t seem to have access to such amazing help?

 

[alaskadiver]

That’s what I need! Unfortunately all I have come across is a couple of podiatrists who seem only interested in selling orthotics! Is there any advice you would be able to share for other - especially older- pilgrims who don’t seem to have access to such amazing help?

Custom Orthotics are a wonderful thing! I love my podiatrist and I agree, they are a great resource. My lady is also a hiker and that helps her to understand our problems.

 

[Robo]

Custom Orthotics are a wonderful thing! I love my podiatrist and I agree, they are a great resource. My lady is also a hiker and that helps her to understand our problems.

I love my Orthotics too, but our Podiatrist didn't seem interested in anything else sadly,,,,,,

 

[SabsP]

My doc is a real treasure too! As is my physiotherapist.
Both keen walkers and outdoor types.
Always sound advice.

 

[Michelle P]

I don't have any particular issues but decided I would go to a podiatrist before I did. Im about 5 weeks out from leaving.

I can't recommend this enough!! She evaluated my shoes, my pack, my socks. I was given advice on foot care, blister treatment and prevention. She assessed my gait. She brilliantly and simply solved an annoying toe curl issue thats bugged me my whole life. I even got sample size of anti friction rub and heel lifts. Wow the heel lifts made my shoes feel brand new. That alone more than paid for the visit. I was going to get new shoes. She changed my socks, gave tips on lacing my shoes for various issues and gave me a list of pre and post walk exercises to do on the trail that don't require equipment etc. She informed me of the fact that I had less mobility in part of my foot which she thought would cause foot problems as I age and gave me a print out of things to solve it; likely saving me a knee replacement down the road. She also checked out ( an thankfully approved )my post walking sandal that I planned to bring. Her advice and tips were amazing and useful outside the camino. She also gave advice on walking up or down hills to prevent foot/leg issues that were specific to my feet and gait and pace.
She even got a list of Spanish equivalents ( brand names) of common meds, first aide items that I could possibly need. Most impressive was her email address and an invitation to face time a consultation while in Spain if I ran into pain or trouble.

I can't recommend this enough. I really do feel she has helped my injury/ pain prevention.

I would love to know this podiatrist. I live in Ontario

 

[Maggie Y]

I don't have any particular issues but decided I would go to a podiatrist before I did. Im about 5 weeks out from leaving.

I can't recommend this enough!! She evaluated my shoes, my pack, my socks. I was given advice on foot care, blister treatment and prevention. She assessed my gait. She brilliantly and simply solved an annoying toe curl issue thats bugged me my whole life. I even got sample size of anti friction rub and heel lifts. Wow the heel lifts made my shoes feel brand new. That alone more than paid for the visit. I was going to get new shoes. She changed my socks, gave tips on lacing my shoes for various issues and gave me a list of pre and post walk exercises to do on the trail that don't require equipment etc. She informed me of the fact that I had less mobility in part of my foot which she thought would cause foot problems as I age and gave me a print out of things to solve it; likely saving me a knee replacement down the road. She also checked out ( an thankfully approved )my post walking sandal that I planned to bring. Her advice and tips were amazing and useful outside the camino. She also gave advice on walking up or down hills to prevent foot/leg issues that were specific to my feet and gait and pace.
She even got a list of Spanish equivalents ( brand names) of common meds, first aide items that I could possibly need. Most impressive was her email address and an invitation to face time a consultation while in Spain if I ran into pain or trouble.

I can't recommend this enough. I really do feel she has helped my injury/ pain prevention.

I agree 100 % and would not contemplate doing El Camino without prior visit to podiatry . It is invaluable

 

[gittiharre]

I don't have any particular issues but decided I would go to a podiatrist before I did. Im about 5 weeks out from leaving.

I can't recommend this enough!! She evaluated my shoes, my pack, my socks. I was given advice on foot care, blister treatment and prevention. She assessed my gait. She brilliantly and simply solved an annoying toe curl issue thats bugged me my whole life. I even got sample size of anti friction rub and heel lifts. Wow the heel lifts made my shoes feel brand new. That alone more than paid for the visit. I was going to get new shoes. She changed my socks, gave tips on lacing my shoes for various issues and gave me a list of pre and post walk exercises to do on the trail that don't require equipment etc. She informed me of the fact that I had less mobility in part of my foot which she thought would cause foot problems as I age and gave me a print out of things to solve it; likely saving me a knee replacement down the road. She also checked out ( an thankfully approved )my post walking sandal that I planned to bring. Her advice and tips were amazing and useful outside the camino. She also gave advice on walking up or down hills to prevent foot/leg issues that were specific to my feet and gait and pace.
She even got a list of Spanish equivalents ( brand names) of common meds, first aide items that I could possibly need. Most impressive was her email address and an invitation to face time a consultation while in Spain if I ran into pain or trouble.

I can't recommend this enough. I really do feel she has helped my injury/ pain prevention.

I say beware! I have a slight ankle inversion and saw a podiatrist and got insoles. I kept saying it felt too lumpy under my arch and he insisted I needed to get used to it. I wore my shoes for a month prior to departing on the Geneva to Le Puy route. On day one I got shooting pain through my foot and then tripped very slightly later. I sustained a Lisfrancs sprain and metatarsal fracture which I put down to the stress from the pressure under my foot. Bloody painful. I was furious. Took a year to kind of come right. Just walked Madrid to Oviedo on commercially available sunbed insoles which cost 15 Euros and were brilliant.

 

[Jane Silverman]

I don't have any particular issues but decided I would go to a podiatrist before I did. Im about 5 weeks out from leaving.

I can't recommend this enough!! She evaluated my shoes, my pack, my socks. I was given advice on foot care, blister treatment and prevention. She assessed my gait. She brilliantly and simply solved an annoying toe curl issue thats bugged me my whole life. I even got sample size of anti friction rub and heel lifts. Wow the heel lifts made my shoes feel brand new. That alone more than paid for the visit. I was going to get new shoes. She changed my socks, gave tips on lacing my shoes for various issues and gave me a list of pre and post walk exercises to do on the trail that don't require equipment etc. She informed me of the fact that I had less mobility in part of my foot which she thought would cause foot problems as I age and gave me a print out of things to solve it; likely saving me a knee replacement down the road. She also checked out ( an thankfully approved )my post walking sandal that I planned to bring. Her advice and tips were amazing and useful outside the camino. She also gave advice on walking up or down hills to prevent foot/leg issues that were specific to my feet and gait and pace.
She even got a list of Spanish equivalents ( brand names) of common meds, first aide items that I could possibly need. Most impressive was her email address and an invitation to face time a consultation while in Spain if I ran into pain or trouble.

I can't recommend this enough. I really do feel she has helped my injury/ pain prevention.

Wow. What a great experience!

 

[spagirl]

That’s what I need! Unfortunately all I have come across is a couple of podiatrists who seem only interested in selling orthotics! Is there any advice you would be able to share for other - especially older- pilgrims who don’t seem to have access to such amazing help?

Some universal things:
Do exercises to increase the range of motion in your ankles. There are many videos on line about this. Basically that if you don't have a complete range of motion other muscle take up the slack and thats where injuries occur.

Alternating foot soaks from hot to cold water ( a few minutes each switching for about 20 minutes) after walking will increase blood flow to the area. Our heels generally have poor blood circulation leading to inflammation and pain in those tendons.
Crocs were her choice for an after walking shoe.

If you put a neoprene insole in your shoe it will help keep your feet dry and the insole it self dries quick once removed.

Keep feet soft. Ive heard lots of people say get your feet toughened up with calluses. She said that leads to other painful things.
If you have pain up the back of the heels ( especially after walking uphill all day lift your heals with a heal lift. it felt seriously wonderful after a thirty km walk!
keep nails trimmed short ( i didn't really need that advice).
Use those round pink corm pads over rubbing areas or on the ball of your foot if that gets bruised.
Stand on a step with your toes only on it and lift and lower your self up and down as a great stretch at the end and start of the day.

Put you toes on the wall and raise and lower your heel as a good stretch.
Stop every so often and do lunges either low to the ground or on a park bench, low wall curb or other structure throughout the day.
This one might be hard to explain but I'm sure its on you tube. Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you put your hands behind your bottom and lift yourself up, with ( ideally a roller but on the camino a water bottle will do) a water bottle behind your calves roll your self back and forth so the water bottle travels the length of your calf. you can have someone else roll something over your calfs if you have a willing assistant. This releases the tightness in your calves but amazingly in the tendons in your foot. Great for planter and achillies

Sorry for the length - just want to explain it right.

 

[LGLG]

Much appreciated!