 |
Unit 7W / Plaza 817 817 Beeliar Drive Cockburn Central WA 6164 (08) 9417 3737 |
|
|
Unit 7W / Plaza 817 817 Beeliar Drive Cockburn Central WA 6164 (08) 9417 3737 |
| Achilles Tendonitis |
|
Achilles tendonitis refers to inflammation of the achillis tendon and is one of the most common conditions our podiatrists encounter in our clinics. We see this problem in all patient demographics but it is more common to see in athletes. Signs and symptoms include pain in the back of the heel, difficulty walking, swelling, tenderness, or warmth in the area. This condition has multiple causes and our podiatrist’s will carry out a complete biomechanical assessment to determine the cause and a suited treatment plan including footwear and orthotic therapy. |
| Ankle Sprains |
Ankle sprains are common
sports injuries, and are characterised by pain
following twisting or excessive force on the
ankle. It is also common to see bruising or
swelling around the ankle too. |
| Athlete's Foot |
| Athlete's foot, commonly
known as Tinea, is caused by fungus in between
the toes. Signs and symptoms include dry skin,
itching, inflammation redness and blisters between
the toes. Tinea Vesiculare is another fungal
complaint of the foot that often presents with
small blisters under the arch of the foot. Seek
advise from our podiatrist on an appropriate
antifungal treatment suited to you. |
| Bunions |
| A bunion is often described
as a lump on the foot at the base of the big
toe. Bunions refer to the deviation of the big
toe towards the outside of the foot. This deviation
occurs from the big toe joint and causes the
foot to become broader and affects the function
of the big toe. Bunions most frequently appear
in middle age, but can sometimes appear in childhood.
Bunions are more common in women, and generally
get worse over time. Many people think that
the cause of bunions is through footwear but
most bunions are caused due to the biomechanics
of the foot and the way we walk. Certain foot
types are more prone to developing this condition.
Some bunions cause no pain or symptoms while others do. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, redness, a burning sensation or numbness around the site of the bunion. It is important to have your bunions assessed by a podiatrist to ensure a treatment regime suited for you. Our podiatrist will carry out a thorough biomechanical assessment to determine the cause. |
| Calluses / Corns |
| A callus is an area of thickened
hard skin, which is formed in response to excessive
pressure applied to the area. Callus formation
can be due to a biomechanical abnormality or
tight fitting footwear and some people are more
prone to developing calluses than others. Callus
can be painful on direct pressure, especially
in shoes, and can create a burning sensation
in the area. Corns are a more pinpoint area of hard thick skin and usually have a deep seated core. Treatment involves taking out the deep core of a corn and/or debriding the dead callus away. Our podiatrist will also be able to provide you with footwear advice to reduce these pressure areas and prevent the calluses/corns from returning as quickly. In severe cases orthotics may be prescribed to offload these high pressure areas. |
| Flat Feet |
| Flat feet is a very common
condition seen in our clinic and can occur in
both children and adults. If your child develops
pain in the arches, ankles, or lower leg it
is important that they get their feet evaluated
by a podiatrist. We treat children from all
age groups starting at 18 months. It is never
too early to bring your child in for a biomechanical
examination especially if you start noticing
flat feet together with frequent tripping and
bruising.
Adults can also have flat feet known as the
adult-acquired flatfoot which arises due to
the weakening of the posterior tibialis positerior
muscle over time. If you are unsure what is
the cause of your flat feet see our podiatrist
for a complete biomechanical examination and
treatment plan for your foot type. |
| Fungal Toenails (Onychomycosis) |
| Fungal toenails (onychomycosis) are thickened, discoloured nails with debris/buildup beneath them. This is a very common complaint amongst our senior clients. Seek advice from our podiatrist on an antifungal treatment plan suited to you. |
| Hammertoes |
|
Hammertoe is a deformity characterised by the 2nd, 3rd or 4th toes being bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Hammertoes start flexible but can become rigid which may require surgery. It is common for people with a hammertoe(s) to feel pain in their toes and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. They many also suffer from corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of their toe. It is important to seek advice from a podiatrist on a treatment plan suitable for you and ways to prevent further development of the deformity. |
| Ingrown Toenails |
| An ingrown toenail is a condition where the toenail grows and a portion of the nail forms a jagged edge (spicule) and begins to protrude into the nail bed. Signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail include pain along the edge of the nails, sensitivity to touch, redness, or swelling. Ingrown toenails should be treated immediately as they can become easily infected. Whilst antibiotics may sometimes be required, antibiotics alone are generally not a long term solution for the problem. The nail spicule must be removed. In persistent and severe cases nail surgery or a partial nail avulsion may be required. This is a minor surgical procedure conducted under local anaesthetic in the podiatry consultation rooms. If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, contact our podiatrist for advice and treatment. Our podiatrist can also offer advice on how to prevent ingrown toenails from occurring again. |
| Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Syndrome) |
| This generally occurs when the patella (knee cap) does not move or ‘track’ correctly when the knee is being bent. Symptoms include aching/pain/tenderness in the knee, particularly when bending and straightening the leg. Swelling is common and walking up or down hills/stairs exacerbates the pain. There are a number of causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome including overloading the joint with specific activities such as running, over-pronation and other biomechanical problems such as knock-knees and quadrecep muscle imbalance. Our podiatrist can help treat your knee pain. Treatment often includes orthotics and appropriate footwear to realign the lower limbs and correct abnormal mechanics, and stretching/strengthening exercises should be adopted. |
| Metatarsalgia |
| Metatarsalgia is a general term used to denote an inflamed ball of the foot. This can be exacerbated by a poor foot structure, for example, a dropped metatarsal head or a collapsing arch. The onset is usually due to excessive pressure over a long period of time, such as regular use of high heels, tight fitting footwear or poor running shoes. Also as we get older, the fat pad in our foot tends to thin out, decreasing the natural cushioning in the foot and making us much more susceptible to pain in the ball-of-the-foot. By determining the cause of the pain our podiatrist can determine a treatment plan for you. |
| Neuromas and Morten's Nueroma |
| A neuroma is an enlarged growth of nerves, most commonly occurring between the 3rd and 4th toes (Morton’s Neuroma). Neuromas are usually associated with a hypermobile (excessive flexibility) foot type and flat feet. Excessive movement of the joints in the forefoot results in bones rubbing the nerves and causing them to get thicker. Symptoms usually include burning, shooting pains in the toes or in the ball of the foot and numbness. Pain is often worse when wearing footwear and walking If you are experiencing these symptoms it is best to see our podiatrist for a full foot examination. It is important to treat the foot hypermobility together with the symptoms and our podiatrist will determine a treatment plan suitable for you. |
| Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Spur |
| This condition is
the most common condition we see and treat.
This is caused by the stretching of the plantar
fascia (the ligament through the arch) due to
flat feet and incorrect support in shoes. This
constant stretching can result in a tear in
the soft tissue, most often at the heel. Most people complain of pain in the heel bone and arches when they first get up out of bed, or after long periods of rest. The pain generally settles when moving about but can get worse toward the end of the day. It is common in those with flattened arches as the stretching on the plantar fascia is more significant but it can occur in any foot type. If you have the above symptoms it is important to see our podiatrist for a biomechanical assessment. Our podiatrist will determine a treatment plan suited for you with short-term treatment including anti-inflammatories and long-term treatment through orthotic therapy and footwear to support the arches. |
| Sesamoiditis |
| This is a painful inflammatory complaint that affects the two small bones directly under the big toe joint. This is caused when the joint is exposed to too much pressure and is a common complaint amongst those that are physically active and have high arches or a dropped first metatarsal (big toe joint). Our podiatrist will provide ways to reduce pressure under the big toe joint through padding and footwear as a short-term measure and long term treatment through orthotic therapy. |
| Shin Splints |
| Shin Splints is a term given to a collective group of conditions causing pain on and along the front and inside of the tibia (shin bone). These conditions range from simple muscle overuse to acute compartment syndrome which requires emergency treatment. Shin Splints is a common complaint amongst athletes and those that are physically active. It is commonly associated with flat feet and inadequate support in shoes. If you suffer from shin splints it is important to seek advice from our podiatrist. They will carry out a full biomechanical assessment and treatment plan through footwear and orthotic therapy. |
| Warts and Plantar Warts |
| Verrucae pedis (plantar warts) are benign lesions that occur on the bottom of the foot in both children and adults. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is one of the more common viruses and is the same virus that leads to warts on the hands and other areas. Plantar warts having a cauliflowered appearance with tiny pigments throughout and are often mistaken for corns. They can be painful and feel like a rock under the foot when walking if they are on a pressure point of the foot. Common causes include walking barefoot in public amenities, locker rooms and swimming in public swimming pools. It is important to seek treatment by our podiatrist immediately before the wart enlarges or spreads. |