I have developed wounds on the sole of my right foot as a result of peripheral neuropathy. I am attending a multi-disciplinary clinic at Crosshouse Hospital involving the podiatrist and the orthotist.
I am frustrated in my dealings with the orthotist for the following reasons:
1. Repeated visits to the orthotist with either nothing being done or ready, or if it is done it needs handed back for adjustment or the insole is completely wrong.
2. Being informed that the shoes have internal rocker bars when clearly they don’t.
3. Seeming to blame patients to cover up a lack of understanding.
4. Being told that I should be wearing off loading sandals as opposed to orthotist footwear as I have wounds on my foot yet one of the wounds developed whilst wearing their shoes.
5. I asked the orthotist for a a rocker bar to be fitted to the outside of my shoe and they said that a rocker bar was already on the inside of the shoe. If this is true then it is clearly ineffective as had it been functional the wound would not have developed. Another concern that the orthotist had was the cosmetic appearance of a rocker bar on the sole of the shoe. I explained that function is more of a concern to me than the shoe's appearance.
6. Despite this it was eventually agreed to fit an external rocker bar to the shoe. This was over 3 weeks ago and having attended the clinic, the footwear is still not ready. This despite a 6 week turn around on an insole that required adjustment as the original was aggravating one of the ulcer sites. A proper fitting could have minimised this delay.
7. Opposed to taking time to explain things or fit insoles, they elect to use podiatry to pass their insoles to patients or use reception staff to explain any concerns.
8. I have a clear understanding of biomechanics, wound management and Gait analysis and through my dissatisfaction I took the only pair of Klaveness footwear and paid for a rocker bar to be fitted to the right shoe. Since Then the ulcers on my right foot have dramatically reduced in size.
Finally I have concerns with what appears to be e a lack of prioritisation within this service and this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and remember not all patients understand and care should be given in partnership and consultation with patients and carers.
"Joint clinic orthotist / podiatry"
About: Crosshouse Hospital / Podiatry Crosshouse Hospital Podiatry KA2 0BE Crosshouse Hospital / Prosthetics/Orthotics Crosshouse Hospital Prosthetics/Orthotics Kilmarnock KA2 0BE
Posted by Big Sos (as ),
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Responses
See more responses from Rhona Allardice
See more responses from Colin Keith
Update posted by Big Sos (a service user) 2 years ago
See more responses from Colin Keith
Update posted by Big Sos (a service user) 2 years ago
See more responses from Colin Keith
See more responses from Colin Keith