Overview
This RCoP-accredited course provides theoretical instruction in corticosteroid injection therapy for common musculoskeletal conditions of the foot. The course will run over two days, followed by supervised clinical practice. To successfully complete the course and receive accreditation for it, you need to pass an end-of-course MCQ examination and complete a series of (min 10) mentored injections. This is not part of the course and will need to be arranged locally.
Date
Mon/Tues 13th /14th April 2026
9.00 am to 5.00 pm on both days (registration from 8.30 am)
Venue
Aberdeen.
Entry Criteria for Podiatrists
This is a bespoke course for Grampian Podiatrists who are HCPC-registered and who hold current certification in local anaesthesia (POM-A).
Programme Outline
- Introduction to the course
- Anatomy – spotter
- Evidenced-based practice for injection therapy
- Legislation/medical ethics
- The pharmacology and physiology of steroids
- Injection techniques and regimen
- Surface anatomy
- Other injectables
- Outcomes/complications
- Logbook/mentoring
- Exam: 30-minute paper
Aims
- To introduce clinicians to the advanced skills of injection therapy
- To instruct in the legal and ethical considerations of injection therapy
- To teach the principles of pharmacology of the drugs used
- To review functional and surface anatomy
- To review the aetiology and pathology of common foot problems
- To advise on the indications/contraindications of injection therapy
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of injection therapy
- Critically evaluate injection therapy as an adjunct to other treatments
- Competently select patients suitable for injection therapy
- Communicate effectively with colleagues regarding treatment choice
- Discuss good aseptic techniques in the application of the treatment
- Recognise the warning signs of adverse drug reactions
- Initiate appropriate management for adverse reactions
- Define all aspects of post-injection aftercare and rehabilitation
Pre-Course Reading
A full course pack will be issued (via Dropbox) covering the main areas of study. The key document to read is the CPD article by Dr Kilmartin, with additional papers for further reading. A sound understanding of anatomy is key to successful injection therapy, and I strongly suggest that you refresh your knowledge. Day one, we have an anatomy spotter! Day two, we have a heel-pain spotter. Look out for my YouTube channel (search ‘PodSurgeon’) for injection therapy videos.
Post-Course Supervision
Some delegates will be taking the two-day course as part of their overall CPD without wanting to undertake mentorship in injection techniques. For those delegates who are planning to incorporate injection therapy into their clinical practice, before the period of mentored supervision starts, the delegate must also be able to produce:
- Current certificate in basic life support (BLS)
- Current certificate of vaccination for hepatitis B
Prior to undertaking supervised injections, please supply written confirmation of an appropriate mentor/s who has/have agreed to supervise your clinical practice for a minimum of 10 injections. The mentor can be any doctor or clinician who regularly undertakes injection therapy for foot pathology. Once all 10 injections have been performed, the supervision details should be sent to me. Subject to RCoP confirmation, delegates will receive accreditation and annotation on completion of the course.
Booking
Bespoke for Grampian Podiatrists.