(03) 6264 3416
Shop 3-14, Main Street, Huonville, Tasmania, 7019

Conditions We Treat

 

Heel Pain - (Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Nerve Entrapment)

Heel pain is one of the most common foot conditions that we see at Southern Tas Podiatry Clinic. We aim to have your pain reduced when you walk out of the clinic and work with you to design a treatment plan that you can do at home. Depending on the severity of your heel pain, treatment usually requires 1 to 4 visits for the best outcomes. The terms plantar fasciitis and heel spur is used interchangeably for heel type pain. 

 

Signs and Symptoms of Heel Pain

Do you have any of these?
  • Pain worse with the first few steps in the morning and after rest during the day.
  • Pain that returns the longer you stand, walk or run.
  • Pain on the bottom of your heel.
  • Burning, numbness and throbbing around the heel.

If you answered "yes" to any of these signs or symptoms, you may have any of the conditions below.

  • Plantar Fasciitis/ heel pain syndrome
  • Calcaneal nerve entrapment syndrome
Potential causes of plantar faciitis related heel pain:
  • Tight calf muscles and achilles tendon
  • Feet that roll-in (pronation, collapsed arches)
  • High arches and rigid feet
  • Unsupportive footwear and/or worn shoes
  • Change in activity or increased physical activitiy
  • Walking or standing on hard surfaces for long peroids of time
  • Weight gain
Treatment Options:

Short term

  • Heel and arch strapping
  • Prolotherapy
  • Stretching
  • Shoe insert wedges
  • Compression socks
  • Massage
  • Foot Mobilisation
  • Over the Counter Orthotics
  • Supportive Footwear
  • Dry Needling

Long Term

  • Custom Foot Orthotics
  • Supportive Footwear

Ankle Pain and Sprains

What Makes an Ankle Hurt?
The ankle is a joint where the bones of the feet and legs meet. The up and down motion of the foot is controlled with this joint. The joint itself as well as the very bottom portion of the leg and the flat part of the upper foot are all considered part of the ankle area. Inflammation or injury to the cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones inside the ankle can all cause the ankle to hurt. Common causes of ankle pain usually include:

  • Breaks
  • Tears to ligaments
  • Sprains or injuries
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gout
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Tumors
  • Nerve Damage

 

What Symptoms Are Associated with Ankle Pain Conditions?

Indications of an ankle problem can include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling and brusing if sprained
  • Stiffness
  • Cannot weight bear on ankle or limping
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Sharp stabbing pain
  • Catching or locking sensation or pain that may be relieved with movement
  • Instability
  • Weakness
When Should You Visit Us

Even simple ankle injuries can cause a lot of discomfort. It is helpful to employ the RICE method to assist with treating the injury while at home. The RICE method will involve:

  • Rest- Take a break from activities and keep weight off the ankle
  • Ice- Utilise an ice pack for 20 minutes three to four times a day
  • Compression- To minimise swelling use a compression bandage
  • Elevation- In addition to compression elevate the ankle above the heart to minimise swelling

When the above methods do not improve symptoms, you should visit us. Schedule a visit with our podiatrist if swelling or discomfort presists for more than 5 days.
Treatment

Short Term:

  • Strapping
  • Bracing
  • Prolotherapy
  • Oral over the counter anti-inflammation medication.
  • Once you are able, stretching and strengthening exercises will help to stabilise the ankle to help prevent further injury. 
  • Cam boot/Moon boot for more severe ankle issues.

Long Term for chronic:

  • Custom foot orthotics or wedging for recurring ankle injuries due to abnormal biomechanics. 
  • Footwear 

Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)

Bunions are a common painful condition which affect our feet. Women are more prone to this problem than men. A bunion is a bony lump usually over the joint between the big toe and the rest of the foot. This creates a pressure point when shoes are worn, producing the painful, red swelling lump known as a bunion.

 

Causes

The most common cause is family tendency to bunions. 

  • Tight footwear
  • High heels
  • Developmental abnormalities
  • Arthritis 
Treatment

There are various ways of treating bunions. Make an appointment with our podiatrist for options such as:

  • Deep wide shoes  
  • Protective bunion pads and sleeves
  • Custom foot orthotics

For more severe cases surgery is often necessary.

See our podiatrist for your best bunion treatment options.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Teninopathy (Tendonosis/Tendonitis) is micro damage to the Achilles Tendon. The Achilles Tendon is the strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone behind the ankle joint.

Causes

Persistent strain on the Achilles tendons can cause irritation and micro damage. In severe cases this strain may even cause the tendon to rupture.

  • Chronic overuse
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Abnormal biomechanics
  • Weight gain
  • Sudden increase in physical activity
Treatments with a combination of any of the following:

Short Term

  •  Strapping
  •  Prolotherapy
  • Heel Raises
  • Calf Massage
  • Dry Needling
  • Stretching & Strengthening programs

Long Term

  • Orthotics
  • Strengthening program 
  • Surgery in severe cases

Shin Splints - Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Shin splints are a common lower extremity complaint, especially among runners and athletes. Typically, the pain is associated with overuse of the muscles and affects the front lower leg.
Pain usually develops gradually and may begin as a dull ache.  Small bumps and tender areas may develop adjacent to the shin bone. The pain can become more intense if not addressed, and shin splints should not be left untreated because of an increased risk of developing stress fractures.

Causes Shin splints can be caused when the anterior leg muscles are stressed by running, especially on hard surfaces or extensively on the toes, or by sports that involve jumping. Wearing athletic shoes that are worn out or don’t have enough shock absorption can also cause this condition. Over-pronated (flat feet) are another factor that can lead to increased stress on the lower leg muscles during exercise. People with high arched feet can also experience shin splint discomfort because this foot type is a poor shock absorber.
Treatment

The best way to prevent shin splints is to stretch and strengthen the leg muscles, wear footwear with good shock absorption, and avoid running on hard surfaces or excessive running or jumping on the ball-of-the-foot. Orthotics that offer arch support for over-pronation are very important.

Treatment for shin splints should include taking a break from the exercise that is causing the problem until pain subsides. Icing the area immediately after running or other exercise can also be effective, along with gentle stretching before and after training. Another option is taking aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

It is important not to try to train through the pain of shin splints. Runners should decrease mileage for about a week and avoid hills or hard surfaces. If a muscle imbalance, poor running form or flat feet are causing the problem, a long-term solution might involve a stretching and strengthening program and orthotics that support the foot and correct over-pronation.

What Causes Foot Pain?

Feet carry the weight of a person and are put under great strain each and every day. When pain in the feet becomes a chronic concern many conditions or issues can be to blame such as:

• Gout and arthritis
• Bunions and hammer toes
• Tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Flatfeet and fallen arches
• Calluses and corns		 • Turf Toe
• Heel spurs
• Stress fractures
• Ingrown toenails
• Nerve Damage
• Broken bones and toes 

 

What Should I Do to Prevent Foot Pain? There are simple techniques and choices which can help prevent pain, injury, and other issues which include:
  • For high arches, choose shoes with a slightly raised heel and arch support.
  • Avoid wearing flip-flops too much as they do not provide the protection and support that may be needed to reduce any pain or issues.
  • Maintain or achieve a healthy weight.
  • Wear supportive footwear while exercising or playing sports. Avoid high highs and pointed toe shoes to prevent extra pressure or the balls of your feet and toes.  
  • Wear supportive, cushioning shoes, particularly when standing for long periods  of time. 
When Should I See a Podiatrist?
  • Unstable feet
  • Signs of infection including redness, swelling, pain, pus and warmth at the site
  • Your foot problem does not improve
  • Your foot becomes pale, white, blue, or cold
  • You cannot move your foot or stand
  • Your foot is twisted or deformed
  • Your foot is numb or tingling

Biomechanical Gait Analysis

If you can understand how you move – and the impact this can have on your body and overall health – then you are well placed to resolve a range of health issues early on.

 

What is gait? Gait simply refers to the way a person walks. An abnormal gait can be caused by one or more parts of the body (such as the hips or knees) underperforming, which can lead to imbalances elsewhere in the body when moving such as your feet!
What is a gait analysis? Gait analysis is a system of scientific analysis used by podiatrists to study how the body moves and the effects abnormal biomechanics can have on the feet, hips, lower back and limbs. During gait analysis your body’s movements will be observed and assessed. Then a diagnosis can be made, and a treatment plan designed for your conditions or recurring pain.
What can it tell you about your body? Gait analysis can tell you a lot about your body and how you move. For example, if you are suffering hip pain, this could be related to the way you walk. You might be in-toeing (turning your feet inwards) or out-toeing (turning your feet outwards), and the compensation your muscles are making to keep you upright may be the cause of your pain. Or perhaps your knees or hips turn in, which can affect the quality of your movement – a podiatrist doesn’t just study the feet in a gait analysis. It is important to note that compensations in the body can lead to imbalance around the joints and the main muscles – such as hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calves. This means those areas may become less active and end up contributing less than they should. A gait analysis will reveal such issues. If you are in pain, have had an accident, or are an athlete seeking to improve your performance, gait analysis – conducted by a podiatrist – is an essential diagnostic tool.
What happens in a gait analysis? In a standard gait analysis you will be asked to stand, walk and run. After that any necessary treatments and exercises to fix your specific issue can be prescribed.

Plantar Warts

All types of people can be affected by plantar warts. At Southern Tas Podiatry Clinic we treat plantar warts.

 

What are Plantar Warts? For adults and especially children, plantar warts are very common. These noncancerous skin growths can be  found on the bottom of the foot and are caused by a virus. There are numerous strains of the virus. Usually it affects the top layer of skin. These warts are not harmful but they can cause irritation or discomfort. Warts can start off small and grow larger or in clusters known as mosaic warts.   
How Do You Get Plantar Warts? Warts can pass from person to person. However, the transmission is usually indirect. For example, a person with a wart can touch a surface, such as a communal shower, and then another person can enter and touch the same surface, thus spreading the virus. The risk is small however. Those with a suppressed or weakened immune system are more vulnerable to getting warts such as children and the elderly. The wart virus stays in your body your whole life and will appear when your immune system is weak. 
How are Warts Treated?

Plantar warts can heal on their own when your immune is strong. However, if it does not disappear or is painful there are numerous treatments available. Over-the-counter treatments have about a 50-50 chance of being effective, though can be more effective in combination with podiatry wart treatment.

At Southern Tas Podiatry Clinic we have a treatment plan that consist of debridement of the wart to kick start the immune process, application of silver nitrate, then an occlusive dressing. An at home treatment plan will be discussed at this time.

Fungal and Nail Infections

Read on to see how to avoid these types of infections, and what to do if you have an infection on your feet or toenails.

Nail fungus is often caused by something called ‘dermatophytes’, which are fungi found growing on skin, hair, nails and other bodily surfaces. When dermatophytes get underneath your nail, it causes A yellow brownish or white discolouration and the nail can become thick and crumbly.

You can live with a fungal toenail, though sometimes if left untreated the skin underneath your nail can become inflamed and/or painful. If you are comcerned or having pain from fungal toenails please contact us for treatment and advice. .

 

How can you avoid fungal and nail infections?
  • Frequently wash your feet
  • Never share nail clippers or nail files
  • Avoid going barefoot in public establishments – such as showers or pool areas
  • Keep your nails trimmed regularly with no sharp edges
  • Wear a clean pair of socks every day
  • Never share footwear with other people
  • Wear footwear that fits properly and is breathable

All of the above will help to keep germs at bay, and prevent moisture from building up in these regions, which can lead to infection.
How can you treat fungal and nail infections?
  • Wash socks and/or hosiery with hot water and an anti-fungal wash. 
  • Clean and air your shoes regularly.
  • Alternating shoes regularly.
  • Wear socks with shoes.
  • Keep all floor surfaces clean.
  • Disinfect the base of your shower or tub after someone with a fungal infection has showered or soaked.
  • Regular podiatry footcare treatment.
  • If your condition dose not improve or worsens, please call for advice and more treatment options. 





Skin & Nail Treatment

Toenail Problems

Your podiatrist will check the condition of your toenails and help you understand the health implications of their appearance, as well as providing a range of treatments for any toenail problems.

Any sudden changes in colour or shape of the toenail, signs of infection, development of a freckle under the nail, or unexplained pain should be discussed with your podiatrist immediately. Your podiatrist can diagnose the problem and arrange appropriate treatment.

Corns & Callus (Hard Skin)

Calluses and corns are generally signs of underlying problems and, in some cases, early warning signals of more complex foot disorders.

Your podiatrist will not only recommend ways to relieve pain and get rid of the corn or callus, but can also help with isolating the cause and preventing the problem from recurring.

 

Skin & toenail treatment are very popular with both men and women and can be used to treat anything from:
  • Thick skin and nails
  • Corns 
  • Fungal nails 
  • Damaged and or weakened nails 
  • Dry skin 
  • Warts, plantar warts, verrucae
  • Blisters 
  • Callous/hard skin
  • Tinea; athletes foot 
  • Splinters 
  • Ingrown toe nails
  • Yellow nails 
  • Cracked heels 

 

 

Please Call for an appointment.