WHAT DOES A PODIATRIST DO?

WHAT IS A PODIATRIST? WHAT DO THEY DO? WHAT CONDITIONS CAN THEY TREAT?

A Podiatrist is a university qualified healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. They help people manage issues like foot pain, injuries, skin and nail disorders, and even complications related to diabetes. Podiatrists play a crucial role in improving mobility and overall foot health, ensuring that people can walk comfortably and live active.

A podiatrist provides footcare to those in pain (ingrown nails, corns/callous/cracks) or to those that can't manage their own footcare (ie the elderly or diabetic). They can assess your foot health for circulation and sensation issues or arthritic conditions.

Unlike the local nail salon, they must be registered and meet certain infection control standards, have appropriate insurances and update their education constantly. They come under the guidance of the Podiatry Board of Australia.

A podiatrist can also access, treat and manage musculoskeletal injuries from work or sport. Not only do they deal with direct injuries to the foot and ankle, but how we stand/walk/run influences things up the whole lower limb and spine. Muscle, tendon, joint or bone injuries. A podiatrist can access your biomechanics and gait (via slow motion recording on a treadmill) walking or running and advise on appropriate footwear, padding or orthotics. Or apply strapping or Shockwave Therapy. In cases where a strength or mobility deficit could be to blame, a podiatrist will prescribe an exercise rehab program to improve your body's ability to handle the demands you ask of it.

Podiatrists are your go-to specialist for Foot Orthotics, either custom made or prefabricated depending on your individual needs.

A podiatrist can assess your foot health, especially relevant to diabetics, the elderly and those suffering chronic illnesses. Being an extremity, the feet are more prone to issues with circulation, sensation and pressure/weight bearing. Annual check ups and the necessary regular footcare for those at risk can help prevent unnecessary complications.

A podiatrist can help you keep pain free and active. Essential for overall health and wellbeing.

Podiatrists deal with a wide range of foot and lower limb issues. Some of the most common foot problems they treat include:

• Plantar fasciitis – A painful inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot, often causing heel pain.

• Bunions – Bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, leading to discomfort and difficulty walking.

• Ingrown toenails – When the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain and infection.

• Corns and calluses – Thickened areas of skin that develop due to pressure or friction.

• Heel spurs – Calcium deposits that create bony protrusions on the heel bone, leading to pain.

• Flat feet – A condition where the arches of the feet are lower than usual, potentially causing pain or discomfort.

• Athlete's foot – A fungal infection that leads to itchy, cracked, and peeling skin.

• Diabetic foot complications – Issues like ulcers, poor circulation, and nerve damage that require specialized care.

• Hammer toes – A toe deformity where one or more toes bend abnormally at the middle joint.

• Achilles tendinitis – Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often linked to overuse or strain.

• Shin ‘splints’ – this painful condition includes muscular, stress fractures, circulation issues.

• Knee/hip/spine – your feet, biomechanics, gait, training can impact injuries higher up the lower limb.

• Morton’s Neuroma – like walking on a stone, or burning forefeet/toes.

FOR ALL YOUR FOOT HEALTH NEEDS GIVE BEN STEELE PODIATRY A CALL.

(And remember, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, Ben's seen it all. In fact the more unusual your issue, the more important to get it checked out.)

Call 041 951 0745