SMS Footcare

SMS Footcare Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from SMS Footcare, Medical and health, Birmingham.

05/04/2026

🐣🌷 Happy Easter from SMS Footcare! 🌷🐣

Wishing all my wonderful clients a lovely Easter filled with rest, family time, and plenty of chocolate treats!

Thank you as always for your continued support, it truly means so much.

I’ll be returning to work on Tuesday 7th April, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

If you’d like to book an appointment, feel free to message me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Enjoy the Easter weekend! 💛
Emily-Grace, SMS Footcare

What are bunions?A bunion, also known as 'hallux valgus' is a deformity of the big toe in which the big toe angles exces...
25/03/2026

What are bunions?

A bunion, also known as 'hallux valgus' is a deformity of the big toe in which the big toe angles excessively towards the second toe and leads to a bony lump on the side of the foot. A large sack of fluid, known as a 'bursa' may also appear. This can lead to the area becoming inflamed and sore.

What causes bunions?

Bunions are often caused by a defective mechanical structure of the foot, which is genetic. These foot types make a person more prone to a bunion. Poorly fitted shoes tend to aggravate the problem.

Bunions can cause the big toe to be pushed over to the second, causing cross over toes. The tendon is no longer straight, which leads to corns and calluses developing.

Treatments?
- Exercises
- Shoe alterations or night splints

These are conservative measures and although they can help, they do not correct the deformation. Referral by your GP for surgery can significantly help and 'cure' a bunion. This includes, removing, realigning and pinning the bone.

Ways to help manage them to reduce discomfort:
- Wear wide-fitting supportive shoes
- Avoid tight and narrow shoes
- Use padding to reduce pressure and rubbing
- Keep hard skin under control
- Consider insoles for better support

If you’re struggling with a bunion or finding shoes uncomfortable, I’m always happy to offer advice and help keep your feet as comfortable as possible 👣💙

What is osteoarthritis and how can it effect your feet?Osteoarthritis is often called the 'wear and tear' arthritis. It ...
23/03/2026

What is osteoarthritis and how can it effect your feet?

Osteoarthritis is often called the 'wear and tear' arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage of a joint becomes damaged. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bone underneath can thicken, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

In severe cases, the cartilage can deteriorate so much that the bones rub together, making it difficult to move the effected joint.

Osteoarthritis can effect all 33 joints in the feet, but mostly effects those at the base of the big toes. These joints are more prone to wear and tear from the pressures of walking.

Its uncommon for individuals to get OA before the ages of 40 and it is more common in women than men.

How to manage symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Wear supportive footwear
- Avoid tight shoes
- Use insoles or padding to reduce pressure on the joints
- Keep nails and hard skin maintained
- Gentle movements to keep joints mobile

As your foot health practitioner i can help by keeping your feet comfortable, reducing pressure points and offering advice on footwear.

Lets learn about Sever's disease: Sever disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children, espec...
22/03/2026

Lets learn about Sever's disease:

Sever disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children, especially in children who are very active. It is an inflammation of the growth plate in the calcaneus (heel).
Sever's disease is caused by repetitive stress to the heel and most often occurs during growth spurts.
Foot bones in a child have a special area where the bone is growing called a growth plate, these are cartilages located near the ends of the bones. When a child is fully grown, the plates are replaced by solid bone. Until this process happens, the growth plates are weak and are vulnerable to trauma.

TREATMENT

Treatment for this disease focuses on reducing pain and swelling. This can require limiting the child's exercise. Sometimes this can take several months, followed by a strength conditioning program. Other methods that can help are, heel cushions, wearing shoes that are slightly elevated to relieve some pressure, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and exercises which stretch and strengthen the calf muscle.

It is not unusual for severs disease to return. This typically happens when the child returns to sporting activities. Wearing shoes that give good support to the foot and heel may help prevent recurrence. Severs disease will not return once a child is fully grown and the growth plate in the heel has matured to solid bone.

If your child has heel pain, I'm here to help and answer any questions you might have.

Hello all, today I wanted to talk about gout. This is a condition i see effecting feet and one that can be extremely pai...
21/03/2026

Hello all, today I wanted to talk about gout. This is a condition i see effecting feet and one that can be extremely painful if not managed correctly.

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a build up of uric acid in the body. This causes sharp crystals in the joint and most commonly effects the big toe.

There are many signs of gout, some of those include:
- Sudden, severe pain
- Redness and swelling around the joint
- Area is hot to touch
- Tenderness, even bed sheets touching the area can be painful
- Some may develop a fever

Gout can come and go, but with proper management it may become less frequent overtime.

Common triggers include:
- Certain foods like red meat or seafood
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
- Obesity
- Menopause
- Chronic kidney problems
- Heart disease or angina
- Physical stress to the body can trigger a flare

During a flare up it is important to rest, keep the foot elevated, stay well hydrated and avoid tight footwear.

You should see your GP if you have symptoms of gout for the first time or your usual treatments are no longer helping.

Treatments for gout are usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. However if the pain continues you may be given steroid tablets or a steroid injection.

I can help manage the impact gout can have on your feet, including advice with footwear, pressure relief and general foot care during and after flare ups.

If your experiencing sudden foot pain and think it may be gout it is always best to get it checked.

20/03/2026

Hi guys, hope you’ve all enjoyed Friday! Weekend tomorrow, back to work for me👣💪🏼

Quick question, are there any conditions you’d like me to make a post about?

Rare or common foot conditions or disease?

Let me know!
Emily👣❤️

12/03/2026

Hello all,

Just a reminder that I am currently out of the country and won’t be returning to work until Saturday the 21st of march.

I can see I have had a lot of messages and enquiries. I promise to respond as soon as I’m back to work.

For any emergency enquiries please state in your message and I shall do my very best to respond.

I hope your all doing well❤️

Take care
Emily👣

10/03/2026

REMINDER
Holiday notice ✈️

I’ll be on holiday from 4th–18th March and returning to work on Saturday 21st March.

Emily-Grace
SMS Footcare

Varicose Eczema: What You Need to KnowVaricose eczema, also called venous eczema or stasis dermatitis, is a long term sk...
10/03/2026

Varicose Eczema: What You Need to Know

Varicose eczema, also called venous eczema or stasis dermatitis, is a long term skin condition that usually effects the lower legs and ankles. This condition is linked to poor circulation in the veins.

🔎 What Does It Look Like?
- Red, itchy and inflamed skin around the ankles
- Dry flaky patches
- Skin may look shiny or tight
- Brownish discoloration on the lower legs
- Swelling around the ankles
- In severe cases, the skin can crack, weep and develop ulcers

Varicose eczema develops when the veins in the legs don't circulate blood effectively back to the heart. The increased pressure in the veins causes fluid to leak into surrounding tissues which leads to irritated and inflamed skin.

Varicose eczema can be managed with daily moisturiser, wearing compression stockings, elevating the legs when resting and avoiding scratching which can break the skin.

Left untreated, this condition can lead to skin breakdown and leg ulcers, so early management is very important.

If your noticing any changes in your skin around your ankles or lower legs, please contact to discuss further!

What are clubbed nails?Have you noticed your nails thickening, rounding or curving downward? This could be a condition c...
08/03/2026

What are clubbed nails?

Have you noticed your nails thickening, rounding or curving downward? This could be a condition called nail clubbing, which sometimes indicates changes in your health.

What does it look like?
- Fingernails or toenails that curve downward and appear more rounded
- Nails that feel spongy or soft at the base
- Nails can appear shiny and can lose their normal texture and appear glossy
- In severe cases, nails can appear enlarged

Some possible causes of clubbed nails can include, long term lack of oxygen in the blood, chronic or inflammatory infections, liver or gastrointestinal disorder or sometimes it can be genetic if no obvious underlying conditions occur.

Changes to the nails usually happen over months or years. Whilst clubbing itself is painless it can be a warning sign of a serious health condition.

If your think you may have clubbed nails and would like some advice please get in touch here on Facebook or text me on 07802 760909.

What is Bursitis?Bursitis in the inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are tiny fluid filled sacs that cushion and prot...
06/03/2026

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis in the inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are tiny fluid filled sacs that cushion and protect your joints. When these sacs become irritated, it can lead to discomfort, swelling and reduced mobility. While bursitis can effect any joint, it commonly occurs in areas like the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and heels.

Common causes of bursitis are:
- Repetitive movements or overuse of a joint
- Pressure from footwear
- Injury and trauma to the joint
- Underlying health conditions such as arthritis or and infection

Bursitis signs can be localised pain and tenderness around the joint, swelling or warmth, stiffness especially about periods of rest and pain that worsens with activity or pressure.

💡 Self-care tips for mild bursitis:
- Rest the effected joint
- Ice the area for 15-20 minutes a few times a day
- Wear supportive footwear or orthotics
- Gentle stretching and low impact exercises to help maintain mobility

📅 Book your appointment today and let me help you step comfortably again!

👣 Verrucas in ChildrenVerrucas are very common in children. They're caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually...
04/03/2026

👣 Verrucas in Children

Verrucas are very common in children. They're caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually appear on the soles of the feet. The virus thrives in warm, damp environments like communal changing areas.

Because children's immune systems are still developing, they're more likely to pick up the virus.

🔎 Signs of a verruca:
- Rough, grainy patch on the sole of the foot
- Tiny black dots within it
- Tenderness when squeezed
- Sometime they can appear flat due to the pressure when walking

A single verruca can appear or they can appear in a cluster. This type is called mosaic verrucas.

Many verrucas in children will clear naturally overtime as the immune system fights the virus. Over the counter options are available but not all are suitable for young children.

🩹 What About the Duct Tape Method?
You may have heard about covering the verruca with duct tape. The idea is to cover the lesion to stimulate the immune system and soften the tissue.

- Cover the verruca for 3-4 days
- Remove and gently file the surface
- Reapply the tape
- Continue for 6-8 weeks

While some cases are successful, evidence for this method is mixed and it does not work for everyone.

👣 Prevention Tips:
- Don't pick it
- Cover when swimming
- Keep feet clean and dry
- Avoid sharing towels

If you are unsure whether its a verruca or another skin condition I'm happy to assess and advise!

07802 760909

Address

Birmingham

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+447802760909

Website

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