How to use podiatry felt padding?

Podiatry (or what used to be called ‘chiropody’) felt is a commonly used padding material to treat a wide range of problems in the feet. The podiatry felt is a natural material that is semi-compressed into the padding with a self-adhesive backing. The felt padding comes in flat sheets that can be then be cut to any shape with scissors or it comes in multiple shapes as pre-cut pads for different types of foot problems and different positions on the foot. The protective sheet over the adhesive padding is removed and the felt pad is adhered to the foot to protect just about any painful area to give that area a rest so the symptoms and be relieved and the problem given a chance to heal up.

For bunions a large pad in the shape of a donut can be cut and stuck over the area to get shoe pressure off the painful bunion. If there is a corn on the toe, then a small pad can be cut that sits just behind the painful corn so that the shoe pushes on the felt pad and not on the corn. This will relieve the pain and let any inflammation settle down. Pain under the ball of the foot can be treated by using a felt pad that covers the ball of the foot and a hole is cut in the padding where the painful area is. These are just some examples of how the felt padding an be used to treat foot problems.

It is often helpful to bevel the edges of the felt padding with scissors as it will stay on the foot for longer. You always need to make sure the skin is clean before removing the backing of the adhesive and sticking the felt on the foot. Don’t make the mistake of using a foot cream before putting on the felt padding. It is not going to stick after doing that. After the felt padding is in place and protecting the painful area, then it is often a good idea to use a piece or pieces of adhesive tape to help hold the felt pad in place and prevent the edges of the pad being caught up in the socks when putting them on. It is important that the felt does not get wet and kept dry if possible. If it is, then the padding can be kept in place for at least several days. Generally, the podiatry felt padding will need to be replaced every few days. These replacements using the podiatry adhesive felt padding can be done as long as is necessary for the problem to get enough rest to get better.

This podiatry adhesive felt is a good short term treatment for a wide range of foot problems. It is often not always the best option over the longer term. If you feel as though you need something like this type of padding in the long term after a short term trial, then discuss the long term options with a podiatrist.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.