There are many reasons people have problems with their feet; simple changes occur as we get older and more complex issues can be related to conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Of course, problems aren’t reserved just for the elderly and those suffering chronic illness. Children and the very active (sportspeople, athletes etc.) are also highly susceptible, because ultimately, your environment and your genetics have a big part to play in your foot health. Young or old, active or sedentary, the key to taking care of your feet is to detect problems early.
If you’re having problems with your feet or ankles, our specially trained podiatrists can assist. Our podiatrists work to not only diagnose and treat your problem but also to provide a solution that incorporates education – working with you to prevent and manage medical conditions and injuries of the foot, ankle and lower leg. We work with everyone from children to elite athletes and can tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Orthotics
Your feet are the base of support for your skeleton, so their alignment has the potential to affect your entire body. Poor foot posture can lead to pain in your feet, legs, hips and even the lower back. Orthotic devices help correct posture, improving foot function by taking the pressure off overused soft tissue and joints occurring at various levels of the body.
Here at Achilles Heal Podiatry Physiotherapy and Remedial Massage we make and prescribe light, slim and durable orthotics using the latest 3D image scanning technology. Through digitally scanning your feet, we can closely measure your foot position, stability and balance. This means we can accurately custom-make an orthotic for you, taking into consideration your lifestyle, activity and usual footwear.
Paediatric Podiatry
Does your child trip frequently, have an unusual walk, or simply struggle to keep up with other children during physical activities?
Children aren’t little adults when it comes to pain and injury. Their bone, muscle and ligament structures are often loose, still growing and are not yet fully formed. As such, acting early in your child’s life is important to maximise the benefits of any paediatric intervention, be it treating nail problems, neuromuscular re-education, stretching exercises, footwear advice or even orthoses – get them checked out at the first sign of pain.
Sports
As active sportspeople ourselves we are experienced in injury management, rehabilitation, strengthening programs and footwear advice as well as modification. Our knowledge and passion for sports means we fully understand patients’ injuries, and know how to get the most out of the best treatments. When working with elite sportspeople who have suffered injuries, above all else, we recommend appropriate footwear for recovery to prevent recurrence of any pain or injury.
Who should be assessed by a podiatrist?
Sportspeople of all ages – amateur or professional – with any foot, ankle or related problems can benefit from high quality health care but there are three main reasons to seek help:
- Injury – Lower limb injuries may be caused by a mechanical problem or functional imbalance by the body.
- Prevention of posture related pain – We can properly examine your feet, detect potential problems, and provide tips for injury-free training and shoe selection.
- Performance enhancement – Recreational and elite level athletes alike can avoid injury and maximise performance through proper care of their feet. Come in and see us to discuss how!
The Diabetic Foot
“It is estimated that 65 foot amputations are caused by diabetes every week in Australia” (Diabetes WA)
In the feet, diabetes can cause you to experience:
- Numbness and loss of sensation
- Reduced blood supply to the feet
- Increased risk of infection
- Slower healing of wounds
As a systemic condition that effects many different parts of the body, it is vital to control diabetes as effectively as possible. Increased sugar levels stemming from reduced blood supply to the feet can cause arteries to harden, which prevents the vessel from adequately pushing blood to the feet.
Signs you may have reduced blood supply to your feet include:
- Calf pain when walking
- Pain in your feet or toes when resting
- Changes in your skin colour to blue or red
- Cold feet or sudden skin dryness with callous formation
- Cramps occurring during sleep
If you are worried about the blood supply to your feet, we recommend you see your podiatrist, GP or Diabetes Educator for an assessment. If you have diabetes, it is important to monitor your feet daily for any signs of injury or infection, and seeing a podiatrist AT LEAST once a year will ensure your feet are in good health.
We are also able to diagnose and treat other problems relating to the feet and ankle, including bone and joint problems, neurological and circulatory conditions, general nail and skin care and more. We perform surgery to remove ingrown toenails onsite in a sterile environment.