Podiatry

WHAT IS PODIATRY?

Podiatry is the health profession dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical conditions of the feet and lower limbs.

Our feet are very complex – they house a quarter of the bones in our body as well as a network of muscles, ligaments and joints. They are our main mode of transport, carrying us on a journey of 128,000 kilometres in a lifetime – the equivalent to three times around the world. Yet our feet are often the most neglected and forgotten part of our bodies. They are vulnerable to injury and disease and as our feet suffer wear, they cannot be replaced like a pair of shoes.

HOW PODIATRY CAN HELP YOU

Your Podiatrist is qualified to treat the cause of your foot pain which could occur due to problems with biomechanics (the structure and alignment of the foot), inappropriate footwear, growths such as corns and callous, effects of diseases such as Diabetes and arthritis, infection or injury. It is essential that you regularly visit a Podiatrist to ensure your feet are in optimum condition and keep you on the move.

A Podiatrist can help if:

• You have any pain in your feet
• You are on your feet all day
• You have or have previously had a foot injury
• You have flat or high arched feet
• You have pain in your feet while exercising or during sports
• You have problems getting shoes to fit comfortably or need footwear advice
• You have bumps, bunions or disformed toes
• You have skin or nail problems – ingrown, discoloured, corns, callous or rash

Some feet have special needs, and all ages can benefit from seeing a Podiatrist.

Children- Children’s feet are still forming and quite fragile. They can be damaged easily by shoes and socks that are too small. Early examination of children’s feet is a preventative measure. Uneven shoe wear, skin rashes, lumps or bumps on the feet, pain in the feet or legs, frequent tripping or falling are signs of potential problems.

Athletes- walking, running, jumping – places greater physical demands on the body than normal day-to-day activities. While running, your body can absorb up to three times your body weight. Not surprisingly, foot and lower limb injuries make up a large proportion of sporting injuries. Podiatrists understand the structure and movement of the foot, therefore they can diagnose foot conditions, recommend appropriate footwear and training regimes.

Workers - Working feet cover many kilometres in a day as well as absorbing heavy loads associated with walking, lifting, running, jumping on and off machinery or in and out of cars. One fifth of workplace injury claims involve the feet and toes and often include those related to ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear. ‘My feet are killing me’ is a common cry, yet research shows that only a fraction of those suffering from sore feet seek professional help. A common misconception is that sore feet are normal, they are not. Just as you would visit a dentist for a toothache, you should visit a Podiatrist if you suffer from sore or tired feet.

Ageing population- By the time we reach 50, our feet have lost up to half of the shock-absorbing capability of the natural foot pad, making them more prone to injury and disease. Studies show that age alone increases the chances of developing arthritis in the ankle and toe joints.

Diabetes- People with Diabetes are at a greater risk of developing serious foot problems because they are more likely to experience reduced blood circulation and nerve degeneration in their feet and legs. This causes a decreased ability to fight infection and the possibility that wounds will have a reduced ability to heal. Regular visual foots checks are vital for foot health, and Diabetes Australia recommends that people with Diabetes see a Podiatrist on a regular basis.

PRESCRIPTION FOOT ORTHOTICS

Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to support, align or improve the function of the foot. The ones recommended by your Podiatrist are prescription devices, custom-made to suit your individual needs and biomechanics taking into consideration the way your body and lower limb moves as you walk.

Who wears orthotics?

People of all ages with a variety of foot or lower leg problems wear orthoses. Sports people are often prescribed orthoses to help maximise their performance, as well as addressing the biomechanical problems. Anyone suffering from a chronic foot condition which is limiting their mobility or independence will also benefit from orthoses. Orthotics also help flat and high arched feet to keep joints equal take away stress from the foot and help prevent early arthritis in the foot.

When are orthotics used?

The Podiatrist may prescribe orthoses for your particular foot problem after a comprehensive assessment, taking into account your own biomechanics, footwear and occupational and lifestyle factors.

Orthoses provide valuable long-term solutions in the treatment and prevention of corns, callous and ulceration by redistributing the pressure of the body’s weight on the feet.

Orthoses also help with the rehabilitation of acute and chronic foot conditions such as tendonitis, recurrent ankle sprains and stress fractures, by providing consistent postural control.

A personalised approach

If orthoses are recommended, your Podiatrist will organise a care plan. This plan will outline your diagnosis, the type of orthoses you have been prescribed, proposed footwear to wear with your orthoses, lifestyle changes you made need to make, as well as any additional treatment which may be required.

Accurate fit, function and support

Podiatrists are the primary health care practitioners for disorders of the foot and lower leg, dealing not only with diagnosis and treatment, but also prevention and rehabilitation. When prescribing orthoses, your Podiatrist provides a comprehensive service to ensure safe and effective foot care, including:

• A full clinical assessment of your foot problem prior to prescription
• Prescription of orthoses tailored to individual needs
• Provision of any additional treatment required
• Advice regarding exercises, footwear and training methods where relevant
• Complete control over prescribing, making and fitting your orthoses
• Comprehensive follow-up, including initial and ongoing treatment plan
• Fine-tuning or correction of any problems experienced while wearing the orthoses

The foot is always in motion and under enormous pressure from the body’s weight. People whose feet or legs are not biomechanically correct, or in perfect alignment, often experience blisters, hard skin or uneven wear patterns on their shoes, pain in their feet or in other parts of the body. Your Podiatrist can discuss with you the benefits and how orthoses can improve your foot function and keep you moving at the maximum potential.