Corn and callus can arise from excessive friction or excessive pressure or the results in abnormal production of skin. Corns can be painful, and be found on the ball of the foot, between the toes therefore, walking can become very uncomfortable. Corn and callus can be caused from natural cause such as flat foot or high arch foot type and ill-fitting footwear.

Callus can be uncomfortable at time and if left, can cause pain and even ulcerate for people with chronic disease particularly with Diabetes.

Heel fissures can arise from dry skin and eventuate in pain and discomfort. Heel fissures left untreated, can become painful, bleed and become infected.

Services Include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Bunions (Hallux Abductor Valgus)
• Low arched and High arched Feet
• Knee pain
• Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fibroma
• Leg Length difference
• Shin splints
• Stress Fracture
• Patella Femoral tendinitis
• Stretching exercises
• Request for X-Ray of foot and ankle
  
  

Ingrown toe nail also referred as Onychocryptosis is a very painful condition where a nail spike has penetrated the epidermis of the skin. If left untreated, can result in inflammation, infected with pus. If left untreated, can have serious consequences on your health.

There are various treatment options which can be performed and produces little or no discomfort and provides immediate pain relief. Depending on the severity of the infection. Your podiatrist can recommend you the best treatment plan in accordance to your preference and goals. 

Nail surgery will be recommended for recurrent ingrown toe nail. Your podiatrist will take a full medical history and assess your suitability. Surgical procedures are performed under local anaesthetic and have is a high rate of success and permanent solution with low recurrence.

Fungal nail is a common condition but can be very frustrating as it is very difficult to treat and may require more than one treatment.

Onychomycosis is an infection caused by harmful microorganisms. It mainly grows in moist, dark environments, hence affecting the toe nails more frequently. The infection is often caused by poor personal hygiene, low immune system, diabetes and poor circulation. Infected nails should be treated as the condition is contagious, and can spread. Your podiatrist will advise on the best treatment and best outcome.

Treatment can include topical, oral medication depending on your health condition. Reducing the affected nails as much as possible by debridement.

The condition may improve but also relies on compliance from patients and personal hygiene.

Athlete’s foot, known medically as tinea pedis, is a common skin infection of the feet caused by harmful microorganism. Dermatophytes which cause tinea pedis is highly contagious and have three varieties known as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum and may develop mainly in the presence of moisture, heat and darkness. 

The common sign and symptoms include itching, scaling and redness. Fungal infection may infect any part of the foot including between the toes and can spread to the nails.

Clinical testing can be done or by observations to confirm the infection. Once confirm, your podiatrist can advise on best treatment option for your nail infection.

Treatment 

Tinea is treated topically or orally, depending on its extent and location. Your podiatrist can recommend the most effective treatment. Ensure to dry thoroughly between the toes, change your socks daily, sanitise and wash footwear.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and is a result of an inflammatory overuse injury of the plantar fascia. Pain is usually felt over the heel and is often worse in the morning and after prolonged standing or walking. The plantar fascia is designed to absorb the high stresses and strains we place on our feet. However, too much pressure damages or tears the tissues. Factors that may increase the risk of sustaining plantar fasciitis are flat feet, sudden change in activity level such as running, standing all day, unsupportive shoes. Following it’s diagnosis your podiatrist will assist you in managing pain and treatment such as  footwear, orthoses  and adjunct therapies.

Plantar warts is a skin infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Warts are very contagious and can spread by skin contact. Using common wet areas or pools puts people at risk of contracting the virus. It is a common condition and can be challenging to treat. They can be differentiated from corn and callus by their tendency to locate bleeding when the surface is debrided. 

Warts can be painful especially during walking. Warts have a limited time of existence and may disappear on their own. Several factors may affect their lifespan such as immunocompromised person. 

Pain and cosmetic appearance may warrant treatment to be considered. Your podiatrist will explain the management options and ultimately leave you to decide the preferred options. 

Treatment option 

Some of the common procedures for their treatment include, salicylic acid, cryotherapy, silver nitrate, occlusion with duct tape, multiple injections using local anaesthetic, or no treatment. Dependent on the patient’s decision, further referral to a dermatologist may be warranted if those approaches fails to succeed.

Services Include:

• Biomechanical Assessments
• Orthoses
• Foot and Lower Limb Pain
  
  

Orthoses are designed to support your feet and improve foot posture and mobility. Individuals with pain or pathology of the foot resulting from abnormal foot function can benefit from orthoses. Orthoses can alter gait and realign bones by decreasing soft tissue stress and optimise the biomechanical function of the foot and lower limb. Your podiatrist can identify the problems by providing a biomechanics assessment for any individuals or paediatrics presenting with complaints. Individuals with chronic disease with lower leg and foot condition may also benefit as orthoses can also accommodate for deformities of the foot without correcting them. 

Conditions which orthotic therapy will benefit:

Arthritis, Ankle pain, Back pain, Bunion, Bursitis, Corn/Callus, Diabetes, Flat feet, High arch, Knee pain, Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, Shin Splint.

Orthoses can be customised for your foot by taking a foot impression. They come in many types of material and different strength. Your podiatrist can advise which best suits your needs by performing assessments. Podiatrists work closely with Pedorthists and can refer for any footwear modification

Podiatry Services for Children:

• Flexible flat feet 
• High arch feet
• Toe walking
• Metatarsus Adductus
• Sever’s Disease
• Footwear advice
  
  

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the blood sugar level is too elevated. This can cause many systemic problems. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and type 2. In most case, Diabetes Type 2 is preventable by altering lifestyle changes.

Your podiatrist can detect any changes before they become a problem. Your feet can become numb from nerve damage and altering sensation. Your lower limb circulation can also be affected by narrowing or occluding the arteries. Therefore, foot screening is very important to minimise complications such as ulcers and infections. 

Your podiatrist conducts full Diabetic assessment and look for general foot conditions which may evolve to problems. These assessments will test your feet sensation, blood circulation by feeling pulses, vibration, and proprioception.

What you need to know to avoid foot complications with Diabetes:

Daily foot inspection for cuts, blisters, callus and corn

Inspect your feet and footwear for foreign objects 

Avoid walking barefoot and wear well-fitted footwear

Be aware of potential complications associated with diabetes 

Education on the importance of controlling your blood sugar and optimisation of glycaemic control by careful monitoring of HbA1c 

Tell your health care professional if you have any concerns

Encourage foot care, cut nails appropriately, drying between the toes and moisturise your feet avoiding between the toes 

Seek a podiatrist to assist in the prevention of lower leg complications and foot care

Diabetes Assessment Includes:

• Education
• Neurologic assessment
• Vascular assessment
• Wound debridement and dressing
• Shoe padding
• Footwear advice
• Custom orthoses/ pre- fabricated orthoses
  
  

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting many joints including those in the hands and feet. Chronic inflammation leads to irremediable joint destruction, cartilage damage, ligament laxity, specific changes in the foot and deformity that may result in a substantial disability. This greatly impairs mobility and consequently increases the incidence of falls. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis can alter foot shape resulting in collapse arch, bunion, hammer toes and callosities. Maintaining general foot health is essential. Your podiatrist can assist and alleviate the symptoms associated with the illness and can recommend appropriate footwear and orthoses to support your feet and provide stability.