Rodrigo Díaz Martínez

A Little About Me

Advanced Practice Podiatrist
Rodrigo is an Advanced Practice Podiatrist with extensive experience in musculoskeletal medicine, lower limb biomechanics, nail surgery, minor skin surgery and advanced podiatric care. He is passionate about helping patients reduce pain, restore mobility and return to the activities they enjoy through evidence-based, personalised treatment.

Originally qualifying as an Adult and Paediatric Nurse before completing his degree in Podiatric Medicine, Rodrigo brings a broad medical perspective to every consultation. His dual healthcare background enables him to confidently manage everything from routine foot complaints to complex medical and surgical conditions.

Having worked across the NHS, private practice and higher education, Rodrigo has developed expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot and lower limb disorders. His philosophy is simple: understand the underlying cause of the problem rather than simply treating the symptoms. Every assessment is thorough, every treatment plan is tailored, and every patient is actively involved in decisions about their care.

Whether managing chronic heel pain, performing nail surgery, treating verrucae or helping patients avoid more invasive procedures, Rodrigo is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care with excellent clinical outcomes.

Areas of Special Interest

Rodrigo has particular clinical interests in:

• Advanced nail surgery, including complex and high-risk ingrowing toenails
• Fingernail surgery for painful, damaged or dystrophic nails
• Injection therapy for musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions
• Minor skin surgery, including biopsy and excision of skin lesions
• Verruca and wart assessment and treatment (feet and hands)
• Surgical verruca and wart excision and curettage
• Lower limb biomechanics and gait analysis
• Bespoke orthotic therapy
• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
• Morton’s neuroma
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Musculoskeletal foot and ankle pain
• Diabetic and high-risk foot care
• Caring for anxious and nervous patients

He has undertaken extensive postgraduate training in podiatric surgery and is currently completing an MSc in Theory of Podiatric Surgery, enabling him to provide advanced assessment and management for patients who may otherwise require referral to secondary care.

Nail Surgery

Rodrigo has developed a particular reputation for treating painful ingrowing toenails, from straightforward cases to highly complex presentations.

He performs both partial and total nail surgery using modern minimally invasive techniques under local anaesthetic, providing permanent solutions for recurrent nail problems. He also regularly manages patients with previous failed surgery, significant nail deformity and those with underlying medical conditions requiring careful surgical planning.

Common nail surgery conditions treated include:

• Ingrowing toenails (onychocryptosis)
• Recurrent ingrown toenails after previous treatment
• Infected or painful nail folds (paronychia)
• Thickened or deformed toenails (onychogryphosis)
• Fungal nail disease requiring partial or total nail removal
• Traumatic nail damage or split nails
• Chronic nail pain due to pressure or footwear
• Nail regrowth problems following previous surgery

Fingernail conditions treated include:

• Ingrowing fingernails
• Traumatic fingernail damage or splitting
• Painful or dystrophic fingernails
• Chronic infection of the nail folds (paronychia)
• Nail deformity following injury or previous procedures
• Fungal fingernail disease requiring surgical management

Every patient receives a comprehensive assessment, a clear explanation of all treatment options and detailed aftercare advice to maximise healing and minimise recurrence.

Musculoskeletal Medicine & Biomechanics

Rodrigo has extensive experience assessing and treating foot and ankle pain resulting from sport, work, everyday activities and long standing biomechanical problems.

Using detailed clinical examination alongside modern gait analysis, he identifies the underlying mechanical causes of pain to develop effective long-term treatment strategies.

Common conditions he manages include:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Tibialis posterior dysfunction
• Morton’s neuroma
• Metatarsalgia
• Arthritis
• Flat feet
• High arches
• Children’s gait abnormalities
• Running and sports injuries
• Tendon and ligament disorders

Treatment may include rehabilitation programmes, footwear advice, taping, injection therapy, shockwave therapy, bespoke orthoses or referral where appropriate.

Minor Skin Surgery

Rodrigo has a special interest in the assessment and surgical management of skin lesions affecting the feet and lower limbs.

He performs assessment, biopsy and excision of appropriate skin lesions using evidence based techniques and follows current best practice to ensure patients receive safe, effective treatment with clear explanations throughout the process.

Common skin surgery conditions treated include:

• Skin tags (fibroepithelial polyps)
• Corns and hard skin lesions requiring surgical removal
• Plantar warts/verrucae requiring excision
• Hand warts requiring assessment and treatment
• Suspected benign skin lesions (e.g. seborrhoeic keratosis)
• Cysts (epidermoid or inclusion cysts)
• Fibromas and soft tissue nodules
• Pigmented lesions requiring diagnostic biopsy
• Chronic or recurrent painful skin lesions
• Lesions caused by pressure, footwear or friction

His aim is always to preserve healthy tissue wherever possible while achieving an accurate diagnosis and excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Verruca & Wart Management

Rodrigo has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of verrucae and warts in both adults and children.

He treats plantar verrucae (feet) as well as common warts on the hands and fingers, offering a comprehensive range of evidence based treatment options tailored to the individual patient. These include conservative management, topical therapies, cryotherapy and surgical excision where clinically appropriate.

For longstanding, painful or particularly resistant lesions, he performs surgical verruca or wart excision and curettage, providing an effective option when less invasive treatments have been unsuccessful.

Every treatment plan is individualised following a thorough discussion of the risks, benefits, expected outcomes and likelihood of recurrence.

Diabetic & High-Risk Foot Care

Rodrigo has significant experience managing patients with diabetes and complex medical conditions affecting the lower limb.

During his time working within the High Risk Foot and Diabetic Foot Service at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), he cared for patients at increased risk of ulceration, infection and limb-threatening complications. This experience has provided him with advanced skills in vascular assessment, neurological screening, pressure analysis and preventative foot care.

His aim is always to identify problems early, reduce complications and help patients maintain long-term foot health.

Helping Nervous Patients Feel Comfortable

Many people delay seeking treatment because they are worried about surgery, injections or previous unpleasant experiences.

Rodrigo understands these concerns and is known for his calm, friendly and reassuring approach. He takes time to explain every procedure in plain language, ensuring patients understand exactly what to expect and feel comfortable throughout their treatment.

Many patients who previously described themselves as “terrified” of foot treatment leave surprised by how comfortable and straightforward the experience has been.

Academic & Professional Background

Alongside his clinical practice, Rodrigo has been actively involved in teaching, research and professional development.

He is a former Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton, where he taught undergraduate and postgraduate podiatry students and contributed to the education of future healthcare professionals. His commitment to education was recognised through receiving the University of Northampton Flexitol Lecturer of the Year Award, reflecting both his enthusiasm for learning and his ability to communicate complex subjects in an engaging and accessible way.

In addition to lecturing, Rodrigo has supervised hundreds of patient treatments performed by undergraduate and postgraduate podiatry students, providing clinical teaching and mentorship in nail surgery, minor skin surgery and injection therapy. Through his role as a clinical educator, he has helped develop the practical skills, clinical judgement and surgical confidence of future podiatrists while ensuring patients received safe, high-quality, evidence-based care. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and maintaining high standards of clinical practice, helping to develop the next generation of podiatrists through hands-on teaching and mentorship.

Prior to entering private practice, Rodrigo gained extensive NHS experience, including working within the High Risk Foot and Diabetic Foot Service at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), where he managed patients with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, neuropathy and other complex medical conditions requiring advanced multidisciplinary care.

Rodrigo continues to maintain a strong interest in research and evidence based practice, ensuring his patients benefit from modern, up to date treatments informed by the latest clinical evidence.

Outside the Clinic

Outside of work, Rodrigo enjoys keeping active through rock climbing, calisthenics, resistance training and motorcycling. His passion for movement and physical performance complements his clinical interest in biomechanics and musculoskeletal medicine.

He also has a keen interest in the history of medicine and enjoys collecting medical antiques, particularly historic surgical and medical instruments. This fascination with the evolution of healthcare reflects his curiosity, attention to detail and appreciation of the remarkable progress made in modern medicine.

Whether in the clinic, the lecture theatre or pursuing new challenges outdoors, Rodrigo is driven by a commitment to continual learning, precision and excellence.

Rodrigo’s Philosophy

“I believe every patient deserves to understand why their condition has developed and not simply receive treatment for the symptoms. My aim is to combine evidence based medicine with a compassionate, personalised approach, helping each patient make informed decisions and achieve lasting improvements in comfort, mobility and quality of life. Every patient deserves the time to be listened to, the confidence to ask questions and the reassurance that they are receiving the highest standard of care.”