What is Podiatry?
Podiatrists specialise in the diagnosis and management of foot and lower leg disorders with a particular
focus on injuries associated with foot and lower limb function.
Podiatrists provide walking and running assessments to investigate posture and lower limb function which
may include a Biomechanical and Video Gait Analysis.
Podiatry includes:
- Assessment and treatment of all foot and ankle disorders, including skin and nail conditions (blisters, callous, ingrown toenails)
- Assessment of mechanical causes of lower limb pain
- Prescription of corrective foot orthoses for lower limb realignment
- Prescription of appropriate stretching/strengthening and training programs
- Advice and modification of running shoes, football boots and other sporting footwear
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If you are concerned about any of the following conditions, you should consult a Podiatrist:
- Achilles Tendon Pain
- Aching Feet
- Arthritis
- Athletes Foot
- Blisters
- Bunions
- Corns/Callous
- Cracked Heels
- Cramping of the legs and feet
- Diabetes
- Fallen Arches (Flat Feet)
- Footwear Advice
- Fungal Nails
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Heel Spurs
High Arches
Ingrown Toenails
In-toeing (Pigeon Toes)
Knee pain
Plantar Warts
Shin pain
Shin Splints
Stress Fractures
Thick Nails
Unstable Gait
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What is Sports Podiatry?
A Sports Podiatrist covers 2 areas:
- foot & lower limb overuse injuries
- mechanical performance enhancement to minimise injury and to maximise efficiency.
How do you know whether you are running/functioning correctly?
What is normal function?
Sports Podiatrists can determine via running assessment and specific testing whether your leg alignment
and leg stability is normal and is sufficient for performing in your particular sport.
Why should I be assessed by a Sports Podiatrist?
(1) Injury:
If you have a niggling injury, it is likely to be caused by a mechanical problem or imbalance
in the body. To relieve the symptoms, the cause of the imbalance must be determined and treated accordingly.
(2) Performance enhancement:
For the recreational or elite level athlete who wants to avoid injury and maximise performance.>
A Sports Podiatrist will often work closely with a sports physiotherapist as many leg and foot problems are
secondary to problems in the lower back and pelvis.
The most common sports podiatry injuries are: Shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, Knee cap pain (runners
knee), Calf strain, Plantar fasciitis/arch pain.
Paediatric conditions:
- Flat feet
- Knock-knees
- Intoeing
- Bowed legs
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- Outoeing
- Sever's disease (heel pain)
- Abnormal walking patterns
- High arches
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If your child has any of the above problems, it should be established what the cause is, and whether it is
a part of normal development. If treatment is necessary, early intervention will yield the best result.
Adult Conditions:
- Heel spurs (plantar fasciitis)
- Etatarsalgia (inflammation under forefoot)
- Euromas
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- Foot arthritis
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Certain hip and low back problems
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Management of the above conditions involves detailed assessment to establish the cause. Treatment will
usually involve specific exercises and orthotics if deemed necessary.
Listed below are common sports & structural injuries, their causes and their treatment:
Lower Back Pain:
Podiatrists are not back specialists and do not perform any 'hands on' back treatment, but in cases where
abnormal or weak lower limb function contributes or aggravates lower back pain, a podiatrist can be a
valuable team member in comprehensive approach to treatment. At City Clinic our Podiatrist will work with other members of the Sports Injury Team.
Knee Pain:
The knee is complex structure and there are numerous regions that can be damaged or inflamed. More common
types seen are:
Runner's knee (retro-patella chondralgia):
Pain and swelling behind and around the kneecap due to malalignment and/or muscle imbalances in the foot, leg, pelvis or back or a combination of these areas.
Treatment begins with assessing the exact cause of the inflammation, whether it be at the foot, leg,
pelvic or spinal level. Long-term treatment usually consists of an exercise program, running shoe and
training advice and orthotics if necessary.
Knee Osteoarthritis:
Inflammation of the joint that is caused by cartilage damage that can progress to changes in joint size,
shape, mobility and leg alignment. The original cause can be a genetic - structural malalignment,
weakness of certain muscles or ligaments, cartilage defect; or developmental - injury, work related or
secondary to an imbalance (ie. leg length inequality).
Management involves thorough assessment of function and x-ray analysis. Treatment usually involves education and measures to
avoid further damage, improving pelvic and foot strength and stability.
Leg Pain.
Achilles tendonitis:
Inflammation of the achilles tendon or its heel attachment is due to overuse and or lower limb imbalances. In most cases
there is rapid and late activation of the calf muscles or overuse of the calf muscles due to inefficient
core stability or foot hypermobility. Treatment involves addressing mechanical imbalances in the foot, leg
and/or pelvis; training and running shoe advice and normal short-term protocol (eg. rest, ice, etc)
Shin splints
(anterior, medial or lateral tibial/fibular stress syndrome):
Shin splints is a vague layman's term that can encompass many injuries. In basic terms it is inflammation of the
junction of bone and small muscle fibres in lower leg. It is due', like achilles tendonitis, to overuse of
specific muscles due to training errors or lower limb/pelvic imbalances. Treatment involves finding the
cause of the overuse, which normally consists of a specific stretching/strengthening program, training and
running shoe advice and orthotics if necessary.
Foot Pain:
Heel spurs (plantar fasciitis):
Inflammation of the soft tissue that attaches to the bottom of the heel. Pain is experienced under the heel or arch and is usually worst first thing in the
morning or walking following a period of rest. It is caused by abnormal function of the lower limb due to
structural malalignment, muscular weakness or imbalance. Treatment involves rest, icing, strapping,
stretching and massage, addressing abnormalities in leg and foot function using orthotics and
stabilisation exercises.
Stress fractures:
Can occur in any bone in the foot but most commonly in the
metatarsal bones (long bones between the high point of the arch to where the toes are attached to the
foot). Stress fractures are caused by overloading of the bone due to training errors and biomechanical
imbalances and weakness. Treatment essentially involves 4-6 weeks rest and correction of training errors
and lower limb/foot function.
Metatarsalgia:
broad term that describes inflammation and pain under the central forefoot where the toes attach to the foot.
Caused by abnormal leg and foot function that results in overloading of the metatarsal bones. Treatment
involves improving foot function via orthotics and stabilisation exercises and padding to deflect
excessive pressure off the metatarsals.
Neuromas:
inflammation of a nerve in the forefoot due to poor foot function and tight fitting footwear.
Treatment is the same as metatarsalgia.
Can I have Podiatry on my private medical insurance?
Most private health funds give benefits for Podiatry treatments. Reimbursement will depend on the insurer
and the plan you have chosen. Contact the helpline of your insurance company who will explain the actual
benefits and methods of claim for your individual policy. If your Health Fund is a member of
HICAPS
we can reimburse your benefit at City Clinic.
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