What is a Podiatrist, and what do they do?
A podiatrist is a university qualified allied health professional who must meet the professional registration requirements of the Podiatry Board of Australia.
Podiatrists are trained to assess, diagnose and treat foot and lower limb problems. This might include problems with the nails or skin of the foot and lower limb, injuries to the foot or ankle, or foot complications related to diabetes and other medical conditions. Podiatrists are also able to undertake an analysis of your standing and movement posture and make exercise recommendations or prescribe and provide orthotics to help correct mechanical issues.
Podiatrists play an important role in monitoring disease and managing lower limb issues to maintain an active and mobile population across the lifespan. Therefore patient demographics can be diverse ranging from monitoring children’s growth and development, managing sports injuries, working with people with chronic disease, disability and the ageing population.
Do I need a referral to visit Riverside Podiatry?
Most people do not need a referral to see a podiatrist, however some funding schemes require a referral from your doctor. These include Department of Veterans affairs, Workers Compensation or those people who have health conditions being managed under a Chronic Disease Management Plan. Some community health services and most hospital based podiatry clinics will require a referral from your doctor.
Your private health insurance funds may cover part of your consultation or orthotics, if required.
Which common problems of yours do we fix?
We’re here to help you keep your feet happy!
With Care, Respect & Compassion
Heel Pain
Some specific heel pain conditions such as plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can cause significant inflammation and need to be treated as soon as possible. Heel pain can cause a range of symptoms which include, but are not limited to, pain at the base of the heel, pain upon standing after an extended period of rest (like when you first get out of bed), or burning and tightness along the arch of the foot.
Specific types of heel pain include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Bursitis
- Sever’s disease
- Nerve impingement
- Haglund’s deformity.
Heel pain, depending on the exact diagnosis, and what is required, may be resolved through treatment options such as icing, exercises, orthotic prescription, steroid injections or surgery.
If you are someone you know is experiencing heel pain, don’t hesitate! Call us today on 02 4323 9100 or BOOK NOW!
Ankle Sprain
Most sprains are minor and heal with home treatments such as rest and ice, but in a more severe sprain, no treatment or rehabilitation and significantly weaken your ankle – making it more likely the injury will reoccur. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to long-term complications including ankle instability, chronic ankle pain and arthritis. If you would like to know more click here to see our blog article about weak ankles. Otherwise, if you are concerned about your ankle pain or weak ankles, BOOK NOW or phone us on 02 4323 9100 to discuss your options.
Fractures
Some common types of fractures include:
- Ankle fracture (fibula or tibia)
- Toe fractures
- Lis Franc fracture
- Stress fracture (including Jones and Navicular fracture).
Given the nature of fractures, it is important they are evaluated by a health professional and an appropriate treatment plan is put into action as soon as possible. Treatment often includes a period of rest and immobilisation, followed by a rehabilitation program.
If you are worried you may have a fracture because you are experiencing please contact your doctor or present to the emergency department as soon as possible. If however, you are unsure call us on 0243239100 or BOOK ONLINE
Muscle Pain
To tell the difference between which type of pain you may be experiencing a podiatrist will perform a detailed history, biomechanical analysis and examination. Sometimes other diagnostic tests may be used.
If you have muscle pain that you are unsure about BOOK NOW for an assessment! otherwise you can find out more information in our blog article here
Tendon Pain
Tendon pains can be complex and usually require professional intervention to manage. Sometimes the problem only requires some simple but focussed stretching, others times it requires more aggressive interventions like walking training or orthotic therapy. It’s also important to note that the longer tendon pains continue the more difficulty it can be to treat, so don’t delay to seek treatment if you have pain in a tendon.
If you are someone you know is experiencing tendon pain, don’t hesitate! Call us today on 02 4323 9100 or BOOK NOW.
Bunions
If you’re unsure about what to do about your bunion or there is pain associated with it be sure to call us on 02 4323 9100 or BOOK NOW! Or take a look at this blog article which goes into more detail
Hammertoes
Hammer and claw toes develop from the same mechanisms. If there is pressure from footwear that is perhaps too small or that has a heel that increases the toe pressure into the end of the shoes, the digits will eventually stay in that position and have difficulty changing. Furthermore, if there is instability in the feet or lower legs the muscles of the toes can help compensate for that instability, overtime however if that becomes an ongoing requirement from them, they will likely set in that position and appear hammer or claw shaped.
Treatment involves reversing the causative factors that lead to the change in shape and position and helping the digits realise that normal is not the current position. Treatment also can involve reducing any thickened skin overlying (see corns / callouses) to reduce any pain associated with pressure they may be having inside footwear or when walking.
If you have pain associated with hammer toes or are concerned about something in your feet be sure to call us on 02 4323 9100 or BOOK NOW!
Orthotics (Orthoses)
If you think you might need orthotics give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW to find out or you can go to this article to read more about what orthotics are and why people use them. If you know what orthotics are and you’re interested in the process we use here to prescribe them click here.
Sports Podiatry
If you think you might need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW to find out!
Childrens Development
Through these developmental changes, children may express concern of some aches and pains. Whether these are growing pains, sporting injuries or poor biomechanics resulting in unequal distribution of load and forces through the body, your podiatrist can help. Healthy feet enable us to walk more efficiently and perform our daily tasks more effectively. It is crucial a child has their biomechanics checked and monitored at an early age to prevent any long-term problems.
If you think your child may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Intoeing & outoeing
There are four common causes for in-toeing which include metatarsus adductus, internal tibial torsion, internal femoral torsion and tight internal hip rotator muscles. More information can be read about these in our “In-toe (pigeon toed) walking” blog. Treatment for in-toeing and out-toeing varies greatly depending on severity. Treatment can be as simple as changing a child’s sitting and sleeping positions and exercises, to splinting and surgical intervention, although this is uncommon and usually identified within a child’s first 6 months.
If you think your child may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Tip toe standing and walking
- Habitual or idiopathic (unknown cause)
- Sever’s disease
- Short or contracted Achilles tendon
- Muscle spasticity
- Global Developmental Delay
- Hypersensitivity
- Autism.
Many children walk through the doors of Riverside Podiatry presenting with tip toe walking. Our podiatrists will perform a thorough paediatric-specific assessment to determine the cause of the toe walking. There are many treatment options but the sooner it is addressed, often means the better the outcome.
If you think your child may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Growing pains
Theories have been previously proposed that these pains are associated with bones growing faster than tendons causing pain as they stretch. While that theory has been proven incorrect, science is yet to discover the cause for growing pains in children. With that said, growing pains are real and can range from 10-30min with pain levels from mild to severe. Children will often wake from sleep with the pain and not be able to sleep for some time thereafter.
It can be helpful for a parent or guardian to rub or massage the area during the incident and reassure the child that it is a common and non-dangerous condition. If this is insufficient to relieve the pains, it is worth seeing a podiatrist to assess any further requirements.
If you think your child may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Club foot
A club foot isn’t painful and won’t cause health problems until a child begins to stand or walk. Unfortunately, a club foot will not self-resolve. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems and even prevent a child from learning to walk – its therefore essential to start treatment straight away, ideally a week or two after birth.
If you think your child may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
High Risk foot
Podiatrists are experts at testing and assisting in managing these types of conditions and so if you have chronic conditions that could affect your feet its strongly advised that you get your feet assessed regularly.
If you have diabetes or any other condition that may increase the risk to your feet, it is vitally important to have them assessed – give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Numbness / Tingling
Whether by trauma, irritation or a disease process the nerve may begin to send odd sensations such as tingling or burning or pins and needles or the signal may be completely blocked and cause numbness.
It’s important to have any of these sensations checked by a professional as they are often associated with other problems and need to be managed all together to prevent things becoming worse. Diabetes is one of those conditions that affects the nerves over time, take a look at this blog article for further information.
If you have diabetes or any other condition that may increase the risk to your feet, it is vitally important to have them assessed – give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Poor Circulation - from the heart
If you have conditions that may affect your circulation, it is vitally important to have them assessed – give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Poor Circulation - to the heart
If you have conditions that may affect your circulation, it is vitally important to have it assessed – give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Arthritis
If you have arthritis or joint pain, it is important to have it assessed and treated to minimize the long term effects – give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Blisters
If you have blisters you would like assessed or treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Callouses
Callouses have been theorised to develop from repetitive pressure increasing and decreasing the blood flow to and from an area of skin with on/off pressure. This is thought to increase the processing and replicating of cells in the skin and reducing the taken to add extra layers. The skin therefore becomes thicker quicker and ideally, effectively reduces the risk for injury. With that said, the process can become excessive on the feet and the callouses that form can become a pressure point all on their own. This then causes pain similar to that of walking on a rock in your shoe.
Treatment involves a process called debridement in which a qualified professional carefully shaves the dead skin away and relieves the pressure. Treatment can be performed best by a registered podiatrist who will also provide advice on how to prevent the problem from coming back or what can be done to reduce the impact on your daily life.
If you have callouses you would like treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Corns
If you have a corn you would like treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Warts
If you have a wart you would like treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Tinea / Athletes foot
If you have tinea or are unsure and you’d like it treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Cracked Heels
Thankfully, cracked heels can be resolved through seeing your podiatrist so the dead skin can be painlessly debrided. At home, it is a good idea to moisturise daily with a urea- or oil-based emollient, use a pumice stone, wear enclosed shoes and stay well hydrated with a balance diet. For more information on cracked heels, head over to our blog “Cracked Heels… OUCH!”.
If you have cracked heels and you’d like them treated give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Ingrown toenails
There are multiple causes for ingrown toenails including ill-fitting footwear, poor cutting techniques, trauma to the toenail or sporting activities such as soccer, football or netball. Ingrown toenails can be resolved through conservative treatment by your podiatrist or a minor surgery. The earlier the problem is addressed, the better the outcome! If you’d like further information take a look at our article on ingrown toenails.
If you have an ingrown toenail that needs assessment and treatment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Thickened / traumatized nails
Normally thickened toenails don’t cause any problems except for discolouration and some abnormal growth patterns and appearances but sometimes they can be uncomfortable.
With that said there are some medical conditions that lead to abnormal growth patterns other than trauma and it’s probably a good idea to get them assessed to understand the source of the thickening and get them managed appropriately.
If you have thickened toenails that bother you, it’s worth knowing that Podiatrist’s are trained professionals at reducing and maintaining thickened toenails with the use of specialized instruments. You can also find further information in our blog article here
If you think your nails need treatment or assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Discolored nails
Discolouration can also be related to fungal infections (see “fungal toenails”). This is more related to the deterioration of the nail plate from the active fungus leading to white, yellow or brown blotches or streaks. This tends to present in a more disorganised distribution over the nail plate rather than the yellow and brown associated with thickening of the nail.
Discolouration is also associated with bruising (deep brown or red colour) or nail lifting (white or less pink compared with other parts of the nail in an abnormal distribution) from trauma sustained (whether micro or macro – see “thickened toenails” for details) or medical conditions that cause abnormalities.
In rare cases, discoloured toenails can be related to chronic illness and should be checked to confirm and managed professionally.
Podiatrists are toenail specialists and can treat and manage all forms of discolouration associated with trauma, infection or medical conditions.
If you think your nails may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
Fungal nail infection
Fungal infections can cause the nail to become discoloured (white/yellow/brown), thickened, deformed or can cause the nail to split. Patients will often present for treatment with concern or the cosmetic appearance of their nails, to avoid spreading other toenails or to family members, or because the thickened nails are causing pain.
Due to the stubborn nature of fungal infections, treatment can be ongoing for a lengthy time. Treatments options include regular podiatry treatments and a topical medication for a localised infection. If a more serious infection is diagnosed, oral medication may be prescribed. Due to the side effects of these medications, it is important you work closely with your podiatrist and general practitioner.
If you think your nails may need an assessment give us a call (02 43239100) or BOOK NOW!
We'd Love To Hear From You!
Phone us on 02 4323 9100 or fill out the form and our team will be in touch with you promptly. Thank you for your interest!
GOSFORD:
Ground Floor
Riverside Office Tower
69 Central Coast Hwy
West Gosford NSW 2250
WYONG:
9c/1-10 Amy Close
Wyong NSW 2259
TUGGERAH:
Shop 1149/50
50 Wyong Rd
Tuggerah NSW 2259
www.riversidepodiatry.com.au
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