FAQ’s

What is Advanced Foot Care Nursing?

Twenty percent of Canadians experience a foot problem each year. Not all of those issues require the attention of a surgeon (podiatrist), many can be effectively treated and managed by a Nurse. Advanced Foot Care Nursing has risen from the high rates of lower limb ulceration and amputation in our country. In Alberta a diabetic experiences a lower limb amputation every 22 hours (in other provinces, like Ontario, it is every 4 hours). An Advanced Foot Care Nurse has taken focused training on the health of the lower limb and provides safe and sanitary medical foot maintenance treatments for clients with risk factors, in order to treat or prevent threats to foot and lower limb health. An Advanced Foot Care Nurse follows the Nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention/treatment, and evaluation. They will:

• Assess the lower limb and foot for amputation risk factors, such as poor circulation, neuropathy, or structural changes.
• Create a treatment plan and provide education tailored to the patient’s specific needs (Diabetic foot management, treatment of nail fungus infections, corns or callus, help with maintenance, teaching foot exercises, guidance on finding good footwear, etc…)
• Provide safe and sanitary medical foot treatments with specialized medical instruments that have been sterilized in an autoclave.
• Document each treatment in order to evaluate the clients progress, and to que the foot care nurse to reassess and adapt the treatments on an ongoing basis.
• The Advanced Foot Care Nurse works within an interdisciplinary team of medical professional (including medical doctors, wound care specialists, podiatrists, pedorthists, vascular specialists, physiotherapists, chiropractor, etc…) to ensure all aspects of the client’s foot and lower limb health are being properly managed.

 What Does an Appointment Include?

An assessment of the foot’s circulation, sensation, structural integrity, skin and nail health. We also assess gait and determine if the client is at risk for falls.  The foot care nurse will look at footwear and offer solutions for any pressure points, calluses, or corns that may be present.

The foot care nurse does a full foot and lower leg treatment including trimming of the nails, treatment of ingrown toe nails, corns, or calluses, reduction of thick or fungal nails with the use of an electric file, sterile to the point of use tools, and high quality foot creams and skin care products.

The foot care nurse educates the client about the risks that their feet may be facing, how to prevent negative outcomes such as wounds, infections and amputations. The foot care nurse will also provide insight about what the health of the feet may say about the overall health of the client.

What Kind of Conditions Does a Foot Care Nurse Treat?

• Diabetic Feet
• Circulatory Illness (varicose veins, cold feet, swelling, etc…)
• Ingrown or deformed nails
• Nail and Skin Fungus
• Callus and Corns
• Over sweating
• Foot Odour
• Foot Pain
• Poor Foot Hygiene
• Thick Nails
• Structural changes (Bunions, claw/hammer toes)

What is Onyfix?

Onyfix is a revolutionary, non-invasive (no surgery), pain-free treatment for ingrown or deformed nails. A band of Onyfix is applied to the surface of the nail, and as the nail grows it is restored to its original flat shape. This treatment provides permanent results and is a great option for those who may not be eligible or appropriate for surgical nail procedures.

Clients interested in Onyfix must book and initial appointment to determine if this treatment is suitable for their needs.

 Is there anything a foot care Nurse does not treat?

There are a few foot related treatments that do not fall within the scope of a foot care nurse. A foot care nurse cannot provide:

• Surgical procedures such as wart removals, we refer to a skin specialist for these invasive procedures.
• Custom orthotics and Shoes, we provide consultations on properly fitted footwear and how to select the best shoes for long term foot health, but do not make custom orthotics. We work with and refer to Certified Pedorthists as they are the specialist of biomechanics of the lower limb and foot, and create the highest quality custom orthotics.
• Compression stocking fittings. Clients need to see their family doctor to get a prescription for compression stockings. We can recommend a number of compression stocking techs to help measure, and acquire your prescription compression stockings.