Treatments
Solutions for Every Step
Nail and Skin Care
If you aren’t safely able to trim your toenails, and/or have calluses that bother you, we can perform a general and professional cleanup with sterilised tools.
Neurovascular Assessment
We test the nerve and circulatory function to in your feet to catch any early signs of neurological or vascular disease.
Diabetic Foot Care
In addition to assessing neurovascular status, we also assess for deformity and other factors which may put diabetics at risk of complications, particularly in the prevention of diabetic ulcers.
Balance and Mobility Advice
If you’re lacking confidence in your general balance and mobility, we can conduct assessments and offer intervention/advice for improvement.
Footwear Advice
Poorly-fitting or incorrect footwear can be the cause of many complications, and knowing what shoes to obtain can be confusing. We can give insight into what type of shoes to get based on foot type and activity requirements.
Ingrown Toenails
From concerns over slight tenderness around the toenails, to more advanced ingrown nails that require surgery, we clear the offending nail edge and discuss strategies to prevent reoccurrence.
Corns and Warts
Often mistaken for each other, corns are due to mechanical pressure, while warts are due to infection from the human papillomavirus. Corns can be excised, with offloading strategies discussed, and warts can be debrided and treated with the appropriate medications.
Fungal Nail and Skin Infections
Thickening and yellow/orange/brown discolouration of the toenails can be a sign of a fungal nail infection, while red, itchy, blistering skin can be a sign of a fungal skin infection (commonly called athlete’s foot or tinea pedis). We can assess for these conditions, as well as discuss the appropriate pharmacological options and prevention strategies.
Plantar Fasciopathy
Due to mechanical overload, the plantar fascia can undergo degenerative changes which results in pain, usually on the bottom of the heel. We can provide interventions such as exercises and orthoses to address underlying risk factors, while also offering manual therapy techniques to minimise short-term pain.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Also due to mechanical overload, the Achilles tendon can undergo degenerative changes, resulting in pain at the back of the heel. Using an evidence-based rehabilitation protocol, as well as offloading options to reduce strain on the Achilles tendon, we can help you return to doing what you love as soon as possible.
Ankle Rehabilitation
From minor sprains to full tears, we can provide the appropriate protection and offloading for injured ligaments and tendons, and prescribe tailored, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols to restore full ankle strength and function.
Shin Splints
Through comprehensive biomechanical assessment, we can identify any underlying risk factors for shin splints (also known as medial tibial stress syndrome), and apply the appropriate interventions to reduce the imbalanced forces which contribute to this stress. This includes stretching of tight muscles, footwear modifications, technique correction and functional strengthening.
Other Lower Limb Pain
Pain can occur anywhere up or down the kinetic chain due to compensatory action in the structures along that chain. Whether you’re experiencing knee, leg or hip pain, we can assess for the source of the dysfunction, and provide exercises or other intervention to address it.
Bunions
Bunions (medically known as hallux abductovalgus) are commonly a result of a combination of flat feet, narrow shoes, hypermobility and/or genetics. Although they cannot be corrected without surgery, we can provide options to reduce pain and prevent further progression.
Claw, Hammer and Mallet Toes
Curling of the little toes usually occurs as a result of a long-term effort to either stabilise the foot (usually due to over pronation), or substitute for weakness in other lower leg muscles. Although the toes can’t be straightened without surgery, we provide interventions to prevent progression, and also digital devices to manage rubbing and/or pressure.
Flat and High Arches
Various complications can occur when people have structurally flattened or higher arched feet such as muscular overload, increased risk of bunion formation, ankle instability and formation of corns or painful calluses. We can assess for the severity and functional capacity of all foot structures and identify any necessary/recommended intervention to alleviate any active problems and prevent future complications.
Osteoarthritis
As we get older, and as joints continue to undergo large mechanical stress or trauma, the natural joint space can start to narrow which leads to pain as a result of bones rubbing together. We can identify any biomechanical risk factors which may be contributing to the mechanical overload of the affected joints, and provide orthotic therapy or footwear advice to minimise arthritic pain and progression.
Orthotic Therapy
Orthoses improve lower limb function by correcting foot and ankle position, and facilitating optimal biomechanics to minimise mechanical stress in specific structures. They can be used in short-term management for offloading of injured areas while they heal, or in long-term management to address structural deformities. We can provide medical-grade prefabricated orthoses which can adequately manage less severe conditions, or we can conduct an in-depth biomechanical assessment to prescribe customised orthoses which are tailor-made for individual patients to provide optimal support.
Have Any Questions?
If you’re unsure about whether podiatry can help you, give us a call, send an email or drop into the clinic to have a chat. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!