YourGP is proud to have recently welcomed Endija Skopane to the team. An expert podiatrist, Endija brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, and is revelling at the prospect of helping our patients walk out of our Edinburgh clinic with a new-found spring in their step after solving their feet issues!

To help you get to know her a little better, we thought we’d sit down with Endija and ask her a few questions. Read on to find out her top tips for healthy feet and what shoes we should all be avoiding…  

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Edinburgh?

I am from Latvia and I have lived in Edinburgh for six years.

What do you love most about Edinburgh?

I love that Edinburgh is a mix of nature and busy streets. I think it is great that there is a park or a walk 10 minutes away from any point.

What do you think makes YourGP different to other medical practices?

YourGP offers a holistic array of treatments for mind and body in a fantastic location. It’s amazing that you can just step out of the practice and get inspired by the nature.

How long have you been practising podiatry?

I started my podiatry journey in 2014.

What training / experience do you have?

I have a BSc (Hons) Podiatry and I have completed additional training in sports taping, steroid injections, dermal fillers for feet, and toe nail reconstruction. But I will not stop there – as podiatrists, we need to keep up with continual professional development and make sure we are up to date with the latest research and treatment methods.

What are the most common issues people come to you with?

Ingrown toenails, joint and muscle pain, corns and verrucas.

What sort of treatments can you offer?

I offer biomechanical assessments, nail cuts, hard skin removal, removal of corns and verrucae, toenail reconstruction, dermal fillers for feet, steroid injections, Mortons neuroma, plantar fasciitis, nail surgery, diabetic assessments, emergency appointments and more!

What sort of results can people expect?

Generally, people can expect a reduction in pain – depending on conditions either short term or long term. People can also expect an improvement in joint movement. Many of my patients have described the results as like “walking on air”!

When should someone seek help?

Seek help if you are in pain, even if it is just a little niggle because it is always better to have it checked out. You can’t just “walk it off”, some things require quick intervention for best results.

Are there any serious, long-term issues that can result from not seeking help soon enough?

One of the more serious potential issues is ulceration. Ulcers are extremely difficult to treat and they can take several months to heal. Ulcers are often associated with diabetes but, actually, anyone can develop pressure ulcers on the soles of their feet and between their toes. Other potential long-term issues include deformities of the toes, feet, and even legs.

Do you have any top tips for looking after your feet?

It is very important to moisturise your feet every day after showering to maintain the integrity of your skin. And always dry between your toes as excess moisture can cause athletes foot.

Are there any activities (or shoes!) we should be avoiding to prevent damage to the feet?

I recommend avoiding very high heels or very narrow shoes as they can lead to things like corns, hard skin, and Morton’s Neuroma which is a nerve impingement.

It is also very important to stretch your muscles after exercising as tight calf muscles can lead to plantar fasciits which is heal pain.

Got a burning question for YourGP’s resident podiatrist? Head over to our social media channels and join the conversation, or book an appointment with Endija by emailing our reception team at reception@your.gp or calling 0131 225 5656.