Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spur or Heel Pain.
	Pronation or Flat Feet.
	Biomechanics and Orthotic Therapy.
	Corns and Calluses.
	Athletes Foot and Plantar Warts.
	Ingrown Toenails.
	Bunions and various Toe Deformities.
	Children's Feet.
	Diabetic Foot Care.

Nearly all causes of heel pain are directly or indirectly linked to a condition called plantar fasciitis and sometimes referred to as a heel spur. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot becomes overloaded leading to excess traction and inflammation.

When the foot is rested the fascia tightens due to the inflammation. When the foot resumes weight bearing the band is stretched and produces a stabbing pain that normally eases after a few minutes

 

Abnormal pronation, the natural motion of the foot as it roles inward after the foot makes contact with the ground is one of the most recognised causes of this condition.

The condition can be alleviated with custom made orthotics which provide improved support and shock absorption, and allow the plantar fascia ligament to rest. Other treatments include the use of more supportive footwear. stretching the ligament and maintaining a healthy weight.

Pronation or Flat Feet.

Over-pronation, or flat feet, is a common biomechanical problem that occurs in the walking process when a person's arch collapses when weight is applied. This motion can cause extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, potentially causing severe discomfort and leading to other foot problems.

One method of correcting over-pronation is treatment with orthotics. The orthotics are designed with appropriate arch support and medical rear foot posting that prevent the over-pronation.

Footwear should also be examined to ensure there is a proper fit. Footwear with a firm heel counter is often recommended for extra support and stability. Improperly fitting footwear can also lead to additional foot problems.   

Biomechanics and Orthotic Therapy.

Back pain, knee pain ankle, heel and foot pains under everyday loads are all symptoms of a structural problem associated with your feet.

As you walk your heel swings from side to side very slightly. If, however, your heel swings too far when you walk or run, your foot may be over-pronating, or flattening too much. This incorrect movement stresses and weakens parts of your foot.

Over time, you may develop symptoms in your feet ranging from a change in shape to pain when you walk.

Custom orthotics are medical devices that support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the feet, enabling these structures to work together as nature intended, to make each step you take pain-free.

Unlike shoe inserts bought over the counter, custom orthotics are built from moulds of your feet to meet your own unique needs. They're typically made with comfortable thermoplastic materials, which are guaranteed to last for many years. They can be designed to fit in all manner of shoes, eg dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots & sandals.

We can evaluate the biomechanics of your gait, then take moulds of your feet, still the most exacting method, and then send these moulds to partnering orthotics lab that then create your own custom orthotics to your own unique prescription.

Orthotic therapy (custom orthotics made for your foot) can effectively realign the body and alleviate these problems.

Iw short custom orthotics can relieve many different types of foot pain including heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, pain caused by running, walking, pain related to diabetes; and other kinds of foot pain related to bunions, trauma, sprains etc.

Corns and Calluses.

Athletes Foot and Plantar Warts.

Athletes foot does not as it's name suggest affect only athletes. It is a fungal infection (tinea) that develops just below the skin and commonly occurs between the toes.

If athletes foot remains untreated the infection can spread to the soles of the feet and the toenails. Athletes foot can be recognised by an initial scaling of the skin between the toes, the skin then becomes moist or soggy.  The skin may then flake and peel and small blisters look red, sore and inflamed. Itching and burning may increase as the infection spreads. 

When the soles of the feet are involved it may just appear as dry cracked skin without itching.  For this reason many people are often unaware that they have a fungal infection.

Plantar warts, athletes foot and fungal infections in the toenails can all be treated with the appropriate advice and up to date treatments.

Ingrown Toenails.

These are one of the most common complaints that take people to the podiatrist. The most common cause is cutting toenails incorrectly, causing them to re-grow into the skin.

Tight hosiery or shoes with narrow ends tends to only make matters worse. If the skin is red, painful or swollen on the sides of the nail, an infection may be present.

This common complaint can be easily and effectively treated in the clinic.

Bunions and Various Toe Deformities.

Bunions can affect all age groups to varying degrees. They are often painful arthritic deformities affecting the forefoot with bony enlargements and changes in alignment of the toes.

Sometimes the toes can overlap and distort the foot to the extent that individuals cannot wear regular shoes. With proper evaluation they can be corrected are often made worse by poorly fitting footwear.

They can however be effectively treated with mechanical devices and the relevant footwear advice.

Children's Feet.

Early detection of certain abnormalities in children is important to address, to allow the child to grow and develop normally. Signs for consideration in an infant include; abnormal hip, leg or foot position. As the child becomes a toddler, the parent may notice delayed or difficulty walking, curled toes or toes that over/underlap, one or both feet that angle inward or outward, and/or an excessively low or high arched foot.

As the child begins to grow, certain deformities may start to become more noticeable. Evaluation by a Podiatrist is important to determine the best course of action for the child.

As a child masters walking the medial arch begins to appear. All toddlers have flat feet because of a low angle of calcaneal inclination, by 5 to 6 years this angle has increased, and in most cases a medial longitudinal arch becomes apparent.

By around 6 years of age, your child should have normal arches in both feet. Children who appear flat-footed have a normal arch, but flatten it when they stand. This movement is called “pronation” and may cause painful symptoms and make the child tire easily. In this case orthotics may be useful to improve the foot posture and also relieve painful symptoms

Although many times a parent or even the child's paediatrician feels foot related problems are something the child will outgrow, frequently this is not the case and even subtle deformities are most easily corrected with early assessment and treatment.

Diabetic Foot Care.

As the Diabetes trend is on the rise in Australia (as is in the majority western societies), so are associated foot problems.Diabetics suffer from loss of sensation in the feet (Neuropathy). Injury can occur and progress to infection and gangrene before diabetic sufferers are aware of their injury. Its well understood that Diabetics typically have a higher incidence of infections and ulcerations in the feet.

A good program of care involves screening, and an assessment service is available to prevent the long term foot problems that can be caused by this condition.