Medical Foot and Hand Care

The care of hands and feet, parts of the body highly susceptible to wear and tear, is important for both health and cosmetic perspectives. The desired appearance can be obtained through medical care. Yeditepe University Hospital offers a full range of foot and hand care services at our Podiatry Medical Center in Bağdat Avenue, one of Istanbul’s most upscale shopping and leisure areas.

Medical Foot Care

Taking care of ones feet, exposed throughout the day to stress and movement, is important in terms of a person’s overall health. Medical foot care requires experienced specialists working in a hygienic environment using sterile equipment. Advanced techniques in medical foot care avoid the use of cutting devices (except for nails), applying specialized softeners instead of traditional foot baths and using podiatric devices and equipment to ensure pain free procedures and treatments.

The softening preparations used in care procedures have a dual role. Firstly they serve to disinfect the treatment area. Secondly, they separate keratinized (thickened) skin from live tissue. This facilitates a well-groomed appearance. Podiatric devices used in foot care use various drills (metal or stone tipped) according to the nature of the issue being treated. All devices and drill heads are subject to hot and cold sterilization.

Foot care is highly important for diabetic patients. Yeditepe University Hospital uses advanced devices specially developed for the treatment of diabetic foot conditions. The aim of these devices is to eradicate the risk of injury and to perform foot care procedures with high levels of safety and minimum discomfort, just as in all our medical foot care procedures.   

Modern lifestyles and the hectic pace of life these days impacts on our feet most of all. Narrow, pointed and high heeled shoes may be fashionable, but they can also lead to foot deformities. Over time a number of conditions can arise including bone and joint deformity, ingrown and thickened toe nails, cracked heels, calluses, and nail and skin fungal infections. But medical foot care techniques are able to provide effective treatments for all these conditions.   

Foot Care Procedures at Yeditepe University Hospital Podiatry Clinic   

Ingrown Nail Treatment: The Ross Fraser® spring wire nail brace was invented by a Scottish dental technician of that name in 1964; the technique is indeed similar to dental bracing techniques. German doctors developed the technique in the 1980’s to create a more comfortable and easy to use method of treating this common and potentially serious and painful condition. The technique facilitates the definitive pain free non surgical treatment of diabetic patients, children and infected cases.  

Callus treatments: The main causes of calluses are anatomical deformity and incorrect choice of footwear. Callus treatment involves the removal of tissue using advanced specialized equipment followed by the application of special callus reduction products and orthopedic support (silicon and heels).      

Diabetic Foot Care:  If diabetes related cracks and small wounds are not caught early, they can lead to the need for amputation.  Therefore foot care is of vital importance to diabetic patients. Again, specialized devices and equipment is used and silver-containing products are applied. Regular monthly consultations are recommended.    

Nail Fungal Conditions: These conditions can result from a weakened immune system, ingrown or deformed nails, prolonged exposure to damp conditions while wearing shoes and socks etc. Contrary to popular opinion this is not merely a cosmetic issue. It can threaten the whole body. The main cause of thrombophlebitis (vein inflammation / infection) is nail fungus. The condition is treated using specialized drills together with external antifungal preparations.

Cracked Heel and Callus Treatment: Traditional pedicures and pumice stone techniques are commonly used to treat cracked heels. In medical treatment, the thickened skin is removed using a special device; the cracked areas are thoroughly cleansed and a propolis based cream or ointment is applied as a part of a personalized treatment plan. 

Medical Foot Care: Advanced techniques in medical foot care avoid the use of cutting devices (except for nails), applying specialized softeners instead of traditional foot baths and using podiatric devices and equipment to ensure pain free procedures and treatments. Modern softening products that separate healthy tissue from keratinized skin ensure positive outcomes. Various drills and drill heads are used in podiatry according to the condition being treated. Special creams are applied as required.

Medical Hand Care: Our hands are particularly exposed to external elements and have a particular requirement for special care. Moisturizers should be used regularly; soap, detergents and chemicals should be avoided, and gloves worn whenever possible during manual work. Hand care is important from both an esthetic and hygiene perspective; medical hand care involves the cutting of nails, and the cleaning of the sides of nails without using cutting tools but specialized devices that take account of the individual form and structure of each nail, combined with the application of appropriate lotions and other hand care products.