Foot pain, feet problems
Foot pain, feet problems?
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Services
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections of the toenails are a very common condition treated by our podiatrists. The classic signs of a fungal infection are yellow/brown streaks or white spots, thickening of the plate, brittle and/or crumbly nail and a build-up of nail tissue and skin under the plate, often with the nail plate lifted off the nail bed. The most successful and fastest form of treatment is oral medication however often a more ideal alternative are topical anti-fungal nail paints available for sale at our clinic. Our Essendon podiatrists will advise how to use the paint and treat the nail infection at home. Treatment with nail paints can take up to 12 months.
Tinea​
Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Athlete's foot is a tinea or fungal infection that occurs between the toes. The most common signs and symptoms are redness, scaly patches, raw exposed tissue and itchiness. Tinea also occurs along the sole of the foot, referred to as plantar tinea and along the sides of the feet, referred to as mocassin tinea. Treatment for all 3 types firstly involves removing the cause. Fungal organisms thrive in warm, moist environments so it is easy to pick up tinea in the bathrooms and with prolonged wearing of enclosed shoes, especially if barefoot. Once the cause has been addressed a topical anti-fungal cream must be used to treat the infection. If the infection persists, we recommend you make an appointment with one of our podiatrists to determine the problem and confirm if the infection is in fact fungal.
Corns & Callouses
Callouses and corns are caused by continuous pressure and friction in the one area of skin, usually over bony prominences, under the balls of the feet and around the border of the heels. The body’s defence mechanisms respond to the pressure by producing a thickened layer of skin which protects it. Corns differ from callouses in that they are localised areas of hard skin with a hard core in the centre. They are painful when pressure is applied directly. Soft corns occur between the toes, usually caused by moist sweaty skin and produce sharp stabbing pain: Read more
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can be very painful and the tendency to pick or cut the corners out will usually lead to further problems and an infected toenail. The main causes of an ingrown nail are poor cutting techniques which result in a nail spike growing into tissue, a trauma to the nail causing nail deformity, an involuted toenail shape where the nail curves and grows into the tissue and/or tight fitting pointed footwear. Our podiatrists are experienced in treating ingrown toenails and will firstly advise on correct cutting techniques and appropriate footwear to help prevent a recurrence of the problem: Read more.
Warts & Papillomas
Warts are a very common condition treated by our podiatrists. People of all ages are susceptible to warts, although children seem to be most affected, and are most vulnerable to the wart virus by walking barefoot in warm, moist environments such as swimming pools and public wet areas including bathrooms (hotels, hospitals, friends’ houses etc.). Warts differ from corns in that they are caused by the human papilloma virus. They are tender when squeezed from the sides and usually have a circular appearance, no skin striations and have small black dots in the centre: Read more.
Diabetes Assessments
There are 2 types of diabetes most commonly referred to as Type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Those with type 1 are usually born with pancreatic dysfunction and there is not enough insulin produced to regulate the blood sugar levels. Medication or an external source of insulin is required to regulate the blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is usually the result of a combination of both diet and age and regulation is achieved by change of diet, medication or insulin. Both types can lead to foot problems because the increase sugar levels in the blood causes damage to the arterial walls, leading to narrowing of the arteries and slowing down of the blood supply to the feet.
Sports Podiatry​
Sports podiatry is podiatry care for both athletes and non athletes who have sustained an injury or foot condition through some form of activity. Such activities range from professional sports through to casual gym goers, joggers, dancers and walkers. most injuries treated in sports podiatry involve the lower limbs which includes the hip and knee joint down to the ankle joint and the foot. To find out the most common sports injuries we see and how we treat them: Read more.
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics are arch supports that you wear in your shoes to offer you support, relieve pain, correct your alignment or for extra cushioning. We offer a range of orthotics from off the shelf (pre manufactured) to custom made. Custom made orthotics are prescription devices which are manufactured from a plaster cast taken of your feet. They offer the best correction and support because they are prescribed to specifically to suit the alignment of your feet.
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Depending on your presenting complaint, footwear preferences and budget, we will provide you with the best type of orthotic to suit your individual needs.
Cracked Heels
Cracked heels result from dehydrated skin and friction. Cracks are usually caused by the heel rubbing on border of shoe and are most common in women wearing open heeled shoes. Seeking podiatry care is very important in order to prevent the cracks penetrating into deeper tissues causing pain and possibly infection. Our podiatrists will removed the thickened layer of callous around the heel, reduce the cracks and massage a rich hydrating cream into the area.
Thick & Discoloured Nails
Thick and discoloured nails are very common and treated on a daily basis by our podiatrists. The treatment provided by our podiatrists will usually involve using a podiatric drill to thin the nail plates down and reduce the thickness and some of the discoloration. The nail will be cleaned thoroughly around the edges and under the tip of the nail plate. Depending on the cause, we will recommend how to either treat, prevent further problems or manage the nail condition. To find out what causes this condition: Read more.
General podiatry care
General care refers to our consultations that provide maintenance footcare such as cutting the nails, controlling ingrown toenails, removing corns and callous, repairing cracked heels etc. We assess the patient's feet on the initial visit to determine how often we recommend they have podiatry care to maintain comfortable foot health. To see the top 10 reasons why people will see a podiatrist: Read more.
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Biomechanical Assessments
A Biomechanical assessment is an examination of the structure and alignment of the body. We look at joint range of motion and muscle strength and flexibility. Patients are observed walking and /or running to assess their gait and examine and discuss the results with the patient. This assessment is necessary for us to accuratley diagnose the origin and cause of the presenting complaint.
​Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is a very common condition which causes pain along the arch of the foot and under the heel. The plantar fascia is the tough band of tissue that lines the arch of the foot and inserts into the heel bone. . Plantar fasciitis means inflammation of the plantar fascia. It is most commonly caused by having flat feet, a sudden increase in activity levels and poor footwear. It is also very common in women during and after pregnancy. Read more.
Children
Podiatry care for children is becoming an increasingly sought after service. This is largely because foot complaints experienced in adult life are often present at birth or develop during the growing years. A trip to the podiatrist is essential to identify the symptoms or signs that indicate a particular foot condition. Having regular check ups with the podiatrist throughout the growth and developmental phases will ensure the lower limbs and feet are provided with best care and to detect any underlying conditions which may require treatment and to minimize these problems in later life. To learn more about the most common conditions we see children for: Read more.

Fractures of the Foot
Fractures are an injury to the bone whereby the bone tissue is broken. There are many types of fractures and the most common fracture we come across in the foot is the stress fracture.
High force impact/overuse can cause bone fractures. ​Activities such as athletics, running, basketball and dance place a lot of repeated pressure on the feet and increase the risk of developing a stress fracture. You can also be at risk of injury due to weakened bones as a result of conditions such as osteoporosis.
Our podiatrists would refer for an x-ray to determine type and location of fracture/break in the bone. Once the fracture is diagnosed the foot would usually be immobilised through the introduction of a boot with a rocker bottom sole. The boot allows restricted foot motion while ambulating to prevent futher damage to fracture, allowing fracture to heal.