What Happened Inside the Ankle?

When the foot rolls inward, the ligaments on the outside of the ankle stretch. The most commonly injured is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). In my case, that ligament was almost certainly strained. However, the dominant discomfort was deeper and at the back of the ankle.
When the ankle is forced downward under load, the back of the joint can become compressed. This irritates the posterior capsule and surrounding structures, leading to swelling, stiffness and pain when pushing off the foot. It is slightly different from a straightforward rolled ankle, and it needs careful early management.

The First 48 Hours: Teamwork in Action

One of the greatest privileges of 15 years in practice is the team around you. Within the first 48 hours, I was assessed by our Consultant Podiatrist. A full clinical evaluation confirmed a lateral ligament sprain with posterior joint compression. Acupuncture was performed alongside laser therapy to help modulate pain and stimulate tissue repair in the acute inflammatory phase.

I also spoke to our in-house Physiotherapist.  Her input focused on:

• Protecting the ligament
• Avoiding end-range plantarflexion
• Maintaining controlled movement
• Preventing compensatory patterns
• Offered a full rehab plan once the acute phase has passed.

Meanwhile, the rest of the podiatry team took turns delivering additional Class IV laser sessions for pain management and taping throughout the first week.

Reception stepped in to reduce my clinical workload, allowing proper recovery time without compromising patient care.

That is what 15 years builds. Not just experience, but teamwork. And I am grateful to every single one of them!

The Power of Laser and Adjunct Therapies

In total, six laser sessions were delivered during the first week. Laser therapy supports healing by:

• Increasing circulation
• Reducing inflammatory mediators
• Enhancing cellular ATP production
• Supporting organised tissue repair

The difference over seven days was significant:

✔ Swelling reduced considerably
✔ Pain levels improved steadily
✔ Weight-bearing felt more stable
✔ Mobility returned faster than expected

In addition, I spent several hours using our Hydroxy therapy system. This technology helps reduce oxidative stress and supports recovery by decreasing free radical activity in the body. While not a standalone treatment, it complements acute injury management by supporting systemic recovery.

Together, these interventions helped optimise the inflammatory phase rather than simply suppress it.

15 Years of Experience Reinforced

This injury reinforced something we tell our patients every day: don’t ignore an ankle sprain.

The first few days shape the entire recovery journey. With the right diagnosis, appropriate loading, supportive therapies and a coordinated team approach, healing can be smoother and faster than expected.

This month marks 15 years of Medipod Clinics, and this experience reminded me why that milestone matters. Behind every treatment plan is a team — clinicians, therapists and reception staff — working together to deliver the best possible care. I was fortunate to experience that care firsthand.

If you’ve recently injured your ankle, let us assess it properly. Small injuries can become long-term problems when overlooked — but with the right care, they don’t have to.

After 15 years of treating ankles, one thing remains true: early action and great teamwork change outcomes. From the bottom of my heart “Thank you Team”.
Also, I am thanking you for reading this month’s blog: “15 Years of Treating Ankles… and This Month Mine Needed the Team”.

Take care,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director, Medipod Clinics

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post 15 Years of Treating Ankles… and This Month Mine Needed the Team appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Why winter is so hard on your heels

During winter, the air contains less moisture, and indoor heating dries it out even further. This causes the skin to lose hydration faster than it can replace it. The skin on your heels is naturally thicker and under constant pressure from walking, standing, and footwear. When that skin becomes dry and inflexible, it can’t stretch properly, so it splits.

Wearing open-backed slippers, walking barefoot at home, or relying on light cosmetic foot creams often makes the problem worse. These habits fail to address the underlying dryness and hard skin that cause cracking in the first place.

How urea creams work

Urea is a substance naturally found in healthy skin. In podiatry, urea-based creams are used because they work in two keyways:

• Hydration: Urea attracts and locks moisture into the skin
• Softening: It gently breaks down hard, thickened skin so hydration can penetrate more deeply

This means urea-based creams don’t just sit on the surface. They actively improve skin flexibility, reduce hard skin build-up, and help prevent cracks from forming or worsening. With regular use, heels become smoother, more comfortable, and more resilient.

Why clinic-recommended creams make a difference

At the clinic, we recommend medical-grade urea-based creams, including products from the Gehwol range, because they are specifically formulated for foot skin rather than general body use.

Gehwol creams combine urea with nourishing oils and protective ingredients that help to:

• Restore the skin’s natural barrier
• Improve comfort when walking
• Reduce recurrence of hard skin and cracking
• Support long-term skin health, not just short-term softness

Patients who use these creams consistently often notice fewer cracks, less discomfort, and a reduced need for frequent hard skin removal.

Consistency is the key

Applying a urea-based cream occasionally won’t undo months of dryness. Daily use, particularly after showering and before bed, delivers the best results. Think of it as maintenance rather than repair.

If your heels are already painful, deeply cracked, or bleeding, professional treatment combined with the right home care is the safest and most effective approach.

For personalised advice or to book a consultation, please call us on 01455 246100.

Our team would be delighted to help you keep your feet healthy, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the winter months.

Thank you for reading this month’s blog – Why Heels Crack in Winter (and How to Stop It).

Take care,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director, Medipod Clinics

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Why Heels Crack in Winter (and How to Stop It) appeared first on Medipod Clinics.