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5 Signs you should consult a podiatrist

5 Signs you should consult a podiatrist

by | Sep 25, 2020 | Blog, podiatrist surgery

Often, when we get a pain in our body, we may dismiss it, but you shouldn’t have to live with that crazy  discomfort! Listen to your body and react when it pains you. If your feet, ankles or knees are aching, it may be a sign you need to consult a podiatrist. In the article below, we’ve included a few more signs to look out for too.

 

1. Heel Pain

It’s important to diagnose and resolve heel pain before it causes further complications – and considering that heel pain is often simply resolved, you should consult a podiatrist if you’re experiencing it.

Often factors like poor footwear, weight, biomechanics or particular walking and exercise styles contribute to heel pain, but thankfully, these can all be treated. Podiatrists help many with heel pain return to their usual, pain-free selves, whether they’re children or adults.

2. Sore, aching and tired feet

You shouldn’t have to live with a problem that can be easily solved, so if your feet are sore, aching or often tired, it’s time to consult a podiatrist. From advising you on which footwear is best for your situation to focusing on contributing factors, podiatrists are trained in resolving the aches and soreness that your feet may have.

3. Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails develop for many reasons: tight shoes, overly short nail trimming, and even trauma, such as hitting a toenail on something. Whatever the reason, ingrown toenails are sore, painful and thankfully, treatable.

If you currently have an ingrown toenail or tend to have them, a visit to the podiatrist is recommended. They can offer you conservative treatments, such as recommending specific shoes to wear, or surgical treatments, which will ease the pain by removing part of the nail.

4. Being a Diabetes patient

Foot health is commonly affected by diabetes, which is why you should include visits to a podiatrist as part of your management plan. They can conduct assessments testing the nerves and feet’s vascular supply. If there are any changes, they can be dealt with quickly, but these visits also act preventatively, as your podiatrist can guide you on how to avoid future complications.

This may range from recommended shoe styles to general foot and nail care techniques.

5. Bony deformities such as Bunions

If you have bunions and/or hammertoes, a podiatrist can take steps to decrease the amount of pain you experience. This is done by identifying the source of the pain and discussing treatment options. Although surgery is available, it may not always be necessary.

 

Contact us today

Whether you have ingrown toenails or bunions, you shouldn’t have to live with them untreated: a podiatrist can help you. Don’t wait until these matters get worse, contact us today and we will help you start your journey to better foot health.

We at the Foot Pod are passionate about good foot care and helping others achieve it. Whether you have a question about any of the above conditions or would like to book in for a regular check, we would be happy to assist. We are available online and by calling (08) 9246 7292.

What Are the Benefits of Orthotics?

What Are the Benefits of Orthotics?

by | Sep 10, 2020 | Blog, custom orthotics, insoles, podiatrist surgery

For people who feel that their foot is aching when standing, walking, or running, an ideal relief for them may be found in over-the-counter shoe inserts known as orthotics.

 

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics, also known as inserts, insoles or arch supports, are items used to help people deal with their foot pain. Orthotics can be a convenient way to assist the way a person walks, alleviate pain from any deformities, and help joint alignment.

In the world of podiatry, doctors may also prescribe various forms of orthotics for common lower limb problems, such as knee pain, heel pain, or lower back issues. They are often used together with soft tissue therapies and rehabilitation and strengthening programs so that affected muscles and ligaments can be healed and rehabilitated individually.

 

What Can Orthotics Treat?

Doctors often prescribe orthotics to treat conditions such as:

Custom orthotics may also be prescribed for people that have positional concerns with their legs or feet, including underdeveloped muscles found in these parts.

 

What Are the Benefits of Wearing Orthotics?

Personalised Foot Orthotics are Effective and Efficient

Custom foot orthotics are specifically created to match the prescription and specifications of an individual. Their medical condition, limb strength, and measurements of their legs and feet are considered here to make them more effective and efficient for the user.

Alleviating Foot Abnormalities

Compared to generic insoles, prescribed orthotics are able to alleviate foot abnormalities, such as supination and pronation.

These custom orthotics work even better when one foot has a different structure than its partner, helping restore balance and preventing foot problems from arising.

They Alleviate and Prevent Pain

People who are experiencing pain with their feet should visit a podiatric physician to assess their situation. Normally, a podiatrist would prescribe custom foot orthotics to help alleviate the pain and prevent any other injuries from occurring.

Besides that, custom orthotics can also help feet against calluses, foot ulcers, injuries, and corns.

Providing the Necessary Support

Supporting the body is not the only job of the feet, but they also help in balancing the overall bodyweight of a person. Wearing ill-fitting shoes and poor posture practices can lead to foot problems, like supination and pronation, causing strain, which can lead to pain and injury.

As custom foot orthotics are made specifically for each individual, they can provide the necessary support where needed. This allows the devices to effectively prevent pain and alleviate the symptoms of other foot problems.

 

Why Trust The Foot Pod?

That is why for people who are experiencing problems with their feet, it is best to visit an expert podiatrist to assess their condition and see whether custom orthotics are needed.

At The Foot Pod, Dr. Rachel Timmins and her experienced team can help relieve and fix problems with your feet. Give us a call at (08) 9246 7282 or send an email at drtimmins@thefootpod.com.cau for more details!

Arthritis in Toes; Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Arthritis in Toes; Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

by | Aug 27, 2020 | arthritis, arthritis in toes, Blog, podiatrist surgery

Arthritis is a health condition that affects the joints, knees, and hips. It can also occur in almost any part of the body where there are joints, such as the toes.

There are a number of different types of arthritis that can lead to pain in the toes. Let’s read on to learn what toe arthritis is, its causes, and how it can be treated.

 

What is Toe Arthritis and What Causes It?

Arthritis that affects the toes is caused by an inflammation that occurs in the joints of the toes. This condition most notably harms the big toe, but other toes might be involved as well.

There are several reasons that can cause toe arthritis, such as previous traumas or injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Women that enjoy wearing tight, high-heeled shoes are also at risk of developing toe arthritis.

 

The Symptoms of Arthritis in Toes

Typically, the symptoms of toe arthritis result in chronic inflammation surrounding the small joints in this area. The following are the most prevalent conditions that one can expect.

 

Toe Pain

The most tell-tale sign of arthritis in the toes is pain. Usually, this pain gets worse when a person starts to become more active or carries heavy weight, and can be relieved by resting. It can take hours, or sometimes days, for the pain to subscribe when it gets exacerbated due to activity.

 

Swelling

A person that experiences swelling around the joints of their toes, with a feeling of fullness and difficulty when bending, may have toe arthritis.

 

Restricted Movement

The range of motion of toe joints with arthritis can become severely limited due to the swelling and damage caused by the disease.

 

How Can Toe Arthritis Be Treated?

When treating arthritis in the toes, the standard approach would be to start with simple steps. People don’t often jump to get invasive treatments right away, as doctors will also have to assess their condition before doing so.

 

Footwear Changes

Doctors often recommend people with toe arthritis to try making changes to their footwear. Changing the shoes that are usually worn to something that is more comfortable may release pressure off the toe joints and relieve stress.

 

Ice and Heat Application

Applying ice can benefit toe joints that are inflamed and ease the symptoms of arthritis in this location. Putting heat packs or hot towels is also an alternative for those that do not prefer cold toes.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Oral anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed by doctors to help relieve swelling and discomfort that comes with toe arthritis.

 

Cortisone Injection

Injecting cortisone is simply applying anti-inflammatory medications directly at the area of the inflammation. Doctors can inject the cortisone straight to the site to cause rapid relief from pain.

 

Why Trust The Foot Pod?

At The Foot Pod, we have an experienced doctor that can help provide you with the right solution for arthritis in your toes. Dr. Rachel Timmins is our principal podiatrist and has been operating the clinic since 2008.

Contact us at (08) 9246 7292 or send Dr. Rachel an email directly at drtimmins@thefootpod.com.au. See you and your feet soon!

Common Foot Problems in Kids

Common Foot Problems in Kids

by | Aug 13, 2020 | Blog, kids feet problems, podiatrist surgery

Any parent would want their children to grow up healthy and strong. However, there is always the possibility that a child can develop foot problems or deformities.

Although most of these conditions can be fixed without any direct help, it is important that parents seek professional help so they are aware of what they can do to correct these issues.

Below are the most common types of foot problems kids can have as they grow up.

 

Flat Feet

Flat feet is a condition that most babies are born in, with their feet eventually developing arches as they grow up. However, some children do not experience this development.

There are usually no problems involved with flat feet, but doctors will start to consider treatment if it starts to become painful. Wearing special footwear, such as high-top shoes, are not recommended since they do not affect the development of the arch.

 

Pigeon Toes

Also known as in-toeing, a child with this condition walk with their feet turned inward. Kids with pigeon toes will often trip way more compared to normal children. Children that do so often have internal tibial torsion, which is when the lower part of the leg is rotated inwards.

Children ages 3 or 4 with in-toeing may develop femoral anteversion, a condition wherein there is a more significant bend in the upper part of their leg. Pigeon toes usually end once the child grows older and as they develop better muscle coordination and control.

 

Heel Pain

A child that experiences pain in their heel could be a result of plantar fasciitis. This condition happens when there is an inflammation in the thick band of tissue located in the heel bone.

Sever’s disease may also be the culprit for heel pain. With this condition, a child may experience pain, which is linked to a growth plate located at the back of their heel. This pain might also be because of the tightness of their calf muscles and the Achilles tendon when they have growth spurts.

 

Bow Legs

Being bow-legged, also known as genu varum, is when a person has an exaggerated bending outward of their legs. The bending starts from the knees all the way down and is common in infants. In most cases, the bow legs condition fixes itself as the child grows older.

It can be a sign of a bigger problem if a child still has bow legs when they reach the age of two years and above. Rickets or Blount disease is a common cause for this, which is a bone growth problem due to a lack of vitamin D or calcium.

Rickets can usually be corrected by fulfilling the necessary vitamin deficiency with the proper diet.

 

Why Trust The Foot Pod?

At The Foot Pod, we have a state-of-the-art clinic together with an experienced doctor who can provide you with the solutions for your child’s foot problem. Dr. Rachel Timmins is a reputable podiatrist that specialises in working with children that have issues with their feet.

If you’d like to know more, book an appointment now by giving us a call at (08) 9246 7292 or send Dr. Rachel an email at drtimmins@thefootpod.com.au. See you soon!

Common Foot Problems

Common Foot Problems

by | Mar 30, 2020 | Blog

Our feet work hard every day as we walk, run, dance, jump and tap our toes. It’s no wonder there are a long list of common foot problems that bring people into The Foot Pod. Some result from injury or incorrect shoes. Others turn up as time – and aging – do their work on the body.

Topping the list of common complaints are corns on feet, Morton’s neuroma and tailor’s bunions. Let’s look closer at the causes, symptoms and treatments for the most prolific podiatry problems.

 

Corns on feet: Causes, symptoms and treatments

A corn (clavus or heloma) is a thickened, hardened layer of inflamed skin normally round in shape. Hard corns are common on the toes or sole of the foot, whereas soft corns (heloma molle) occur in the soft tissue between toes. Although they are a sign the body is protecting itself, corns can be very painful.

What causes corns on feet?

  • Pressure or friction
  • Ill-fitting shoes
  • Enlarged joints pressing on shoes
  • A crooked toe moving under the adjacent toe

Common symptoms

  • Pain when walking
  • Hard, round bumps on the foot
  • Painful when pressed

Calluses and corns look similar, but a callus will not be painful to touch. If you develop calluses, rest up and pay The Foot Pod a visit to prevent corns.

Treatment options

  • Debridement (removal of damaged tissue) by a podiatrist
  • Custom toe separators
  • Wearing correct fitting shoes

Be careful using over-the-counter corn pads. Most contain salicylic acid which, improperly applied, can cause chemical burns and ulceration to the skin.

When conservative treatments fail to alleviate painful corns on feet, your podiatrist may recommend a surgical solution. Surgery to remove corns is quick and simple, usually taking 30 minutes or less to remove the offending corn and address any underlying issues such as a bursa or protruding bone.

 

Morton’s Neuroma: What is it and how do you treat it?

Morton’s neuroma is a thickening in the tissue around a nerve leading to your toe. It most commonly shows up in the nerve between the second and third toes and, besides being painful to walk on, can feel like you have a rock in your shoe.

What causes Morton’s neuroma?

  • High heeled shoes
  • Tight shoes
  • Pressure on the ball of the foot

Common symptoms

  • Feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe, or a fold in your sock
  • Burning pain radiating out from the ball of your foot to your toes
  • Numbness and tingling after pain

Treatment options

  • Correct fitting, flatter shoes
  • Padding to support the metatarsal arch
  • Icing to reduce swelling
  • Custom orthotic devices to relieve pressure on the nerve
  • Reduced activity
  • Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories

Similar to corns, there are surgical options available for chronic or stubborn neuromas. Your podiatrist may inject small amounts of cortisone with local anaesthetic or sclerosing agent. Alternatively a short surgery can be performed to remove the neuroma via an incision on the top of the foot, over the neuroma.

 

Tailor’s Bunion: More common than you think

Tailor’s bunions, also called bunionettes, are hard bony bumps that develop on the toe joint causing the toe to turn inward. Tailor’s bunions occur on the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint, better known as the pinky toe (regular bunions occur on the big toe).

What causes Tailor’s bunions?

  • Tight footwear
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Misalignment of the foot
  • Arthritis

Common symptoms

  • Redness and swelling
  • Localised pain
  • Increased swelling and pain over time

Treatment options

  • Wear correct fitting shoes
  • Padding over the bunionette
  • Orthotic devices
  • Icing the area
  • Orthoses to correct the biomechanics
  • Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen

Once again, a short surgery can alleviate the pain of tailor’s bunions. Ostectomy surgery removes the painful bump, and osteotomy realigns the metatarsal bone to correct biomechanics.

 

Solving Foot Problems with The Foot Pod

Corns on feet, Morton’s neuroma, and Tailor’s bunions are among the prevalent problems affecting Australian adults. If you are experiencing any signs of these common foot problems, even if they are not yet painful, make an appointment with The Foot Pod to get the help you need. Our friendly team will have you dancing out of the clinic in no time!

common foot problem

 

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