PODIATRY
What is podiatry?
The Australian Podiatry Association defines a podiatrist as : ‘A Podiatrist is trained to assess, diagnose and treat foot and lower limb problems. These may include skin and nail problems, foot and ankle injuries, foot complications related to diabetes and other medical conditions and problems with gait or walking. Podiatrists play an important role in monitoring disease and managing lower limb issues to maintain an active and mobile population across the lifespan. Therefore patient demographics can be diverse ranging from monitoring children’s growth and development, managing sports injuries, working with people with chronic disease, disability and the ageing population.’
PODIATRY
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
The short answer is no. Podiatry like osteopathy and myotherapy are not funded by medicare, though private fund rebates are available if you have podiatry included. Those with chronic medical conditions may be eligible for being placed on a chronic disease management plan from their GP, these consultation will be bulk billed. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Gold Card holders will also be bulk billed. We also see both WorkCover and TAC patients, most of the time the full cost of the consultations will be covered by the authorities, but there may be some services that are not covered.
PODIATRY
What conditions do podiatrists treat?
All aspects of podiatry are covered, with a number of key areas of interest:
- Heel pain
- Bunions
- Arthritis
- Children’s feet
- Overuse injuries
- Problematic toenails
- Ingrown toenails
- Re-occurring blisters
- Arch pain
- Plantar warts
- Shin splints
- Forefoot pain
- Corns and callouses
- Ankle sprains
- Stress fractures
- Diabetic foot complications
- Arthritis
- Children’s feet
- Plus many more
Services offered
- Diabetes foot assessments
- Shockwave therapy
- General foot care
- Paediatric assessments
- Biomechanical assessments
- Custom foot orthotics
- Ingrown toenail surgery
- Customised sport programs
- Home visits
PODIATRY
Who will podiatry benefit?
Podiatrists treat everyone. We have experience in dealing with 12 week old babies to 105 year olds, we cater for all ages. You do not need to be a certain age to be seen or for treatment to take place. Getting on to a problem sooner rather than later can make all the difference. Being a keen sportsman himself, one of Christopher’s main areas of focus is sports injuries and injury prevention. He understands the need to get you back into your sport as soon as possible.
PODIATRY
What are orthotics?
Orthotics are customized foot inserts for your shoes. Customized orthotics are especially made to suit your foot and to help correct the problem at hand, whether it be a biomechanical abnormality or an injury. With this in mind it can take up to two weeks, from the date of the casting of your foot, to the date when they are fitted.
PODIATRY
Home visits?
Home visits may be arranged if you or your family member is unable to attend one of the clinics. Please call up one of the clinics involved to discuss this option.
PODIATRY
Foot Facts
- The average person will walk around 128,000kms in a lifetime – that’s more than three times around the earth
- A quarter of all the body’s bones are in the feet – there are 52 bones in a pair of feet
- The average child will take its first steps around 13-17 months – but between 10 and 18 months falls within the “normal” range
- During the first year of a child’s life their feet grow rapidly, reaching almost half their adult size. By 12 years, a child’s foot is about 90% of its adult length
- When walking each time your heel lifts off the ground it forces the toes to carry one half of your body weight
- It’s rare that two feet are exactly the same – one of them is often larger than the other
- In a pair of feet there are 250 000 sweat glands that produce approximately 500mL of perspiration daily
- The first foot coverings were probably animal skins, which Stone Age people in northern Europe and Asia tied around their ankles in cold weather
- Cigarette smoking is the biggest cause of peripheral vascular disease (disease of the arteries of the feet and legs) which often leads to pain on walking, ulceration, infection and in the most severe cases gangrene and possible amputation
- Around 40% of Australians will experience some form of foot problems in their lifetime
- Foot disorders in the elderly are extremely common and are the cause of much pain and disability and consequent loss of mobility and independence