Essential Podiatry

Welcome to Essential Podiatry

What is Podiatry?

Podiatry is the health profession dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical conditions of the feet and lower limbs.

Our feet are very complex – they house a quarter of the bones in our body as well as a network of muscles, ligaments and joints. They are our main mode of transport, carrying us on a journey of 128,000 kilometres in a lifetime – the equivalent to three times around the world. Yet our feet are often the most neglected and forgotten part of our bodies. They are vulnerable to injury and disease and as our feet suffer wear, they cannot be replaced like a pair of shoes.

Your Podiatrist is qualified to treat the cause of your foot pain which could occur due to problems with biomechanics (the structure and alignment of the foot), inappropriate footwear, growths such as corns and callous, effects of diseases such as Diabetes and arthritis, infection or injury. It is essential that you regularly visit a Podiatrist to ensure your feet are in optimum condition and keep you on the move.

A Podiatrist can help if:

• You have any pain in your feet
  
• You are on your feet all day
  
• You have or have previously had a foot injury
  
• You have flat or high arched feet
  
• You have pain in your feet while exercising
  
• You have problems getting shoes to fit comfortably or need footwear advice
  
• You have bumps, bunions or disformed toes
  
• You have skin or nail problems – ingrown, discoloured, corns, callous or rash

Some feet have special needs, and all ages can benefit from seeing a Podiatrist.

Children's feet are still forming and quite fragile. They can be damaged easily by shoes and socks that are too small. Early examination of children’s feet is a preventative measure. Uneven shoe wear, skin rashes, lumps or bumps on the feet, pain in the feet or legs, frequent tripping or falling are signs of potential problems.

Sporting activity - walking, running, jumping – places greater physical demands on the body than normal day-to-day activities. While running, your body can absorb up to three times your body weight. Not surprisingly, foot and lower limb injuries make up a large proportion of sporting injuries. Podiatrists understand the structure and movement of the foot, therefore they can diagnose foot conditions, recommend appropriate footwear and training regimes.

Working feet cover many kilometres in a day as well as absorbing heavy loads associated with walking, lifting, running, jumping on and off machinery or in and out of cars. One fifth of workplace injury claims involve the feet and toes and often include those related to ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear.

Ageing - By the time we reach 50, our feet have lost up to half of the shock-absorbing capability of the natural foot pad, making them more prone to injury and disease. Studies show that age alone increases the chances of developing arthritis in the ankle and toe joints.

'My feet are killing me’ is a common cry, yet research shows that only a fraction of those suffering from sore feet seek professional help. A common misconception is that sore feet are normal, they are not. Just as you would visit a dentist for a toothache, you should visit a Podiatrist if you suffer from sore or tired feet.

People with Diabetes are at a greater risk of developing serious foot problems because they are more likely to experience reduced blood circulation and nerve degeneration in their feet and legs. This causes a decreased ability to fight infection and the possibility that wounds will have a reduced ability to heal. Regular visual foots checks are vital for foot health, and Diabetes Australia recommends that people with Diabetes see a Podiatrist on a regular basis.