Your feet are complex anatomical structures that act as stabilisers, shock absorbers and propulsion engines. Make sure you are getting the best care for them by seeing a health-care professional with the letters DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) after their name.
DPMs have completed years of rigorous medical education including a hospital-based residency. The podiatry Beverley specialise in treating problems related to the lower legs and feet.
Foot and Heel Problems
Foot problems can range from simple and manageable to complex and serious. A podiatrist from Inertia Health Group can assess your condition, provide a diagnosis, and formulate a treatment plan for you.
Most cases of heel pain go away on their own with rest and home care. If your heel continues to hurt despite these measures, see a foot doctor immediately – the condition could worsen over time without medical intervention.
Podiatrists have spent four years in school learning about the feet and lower legs, and they complete a 3-year residency program to hone their skills and learn from other doctors. They use the title “DPM” (doctor of podiatric medicine) after their names and are licensed to reset broken bones, perform surgery, and order lab tests or X-rays.
Podiatrists can also prescribe custom orthotics to improve your foot function and reduce pain and discomfort. These devices are designed to support your feet, control pronation and correct imbalances in the feet that can lead to heel pain. Podiatrists can also diagnose hammertoes, which are a bending deformity of the second through fifth toes caused by improper shoes that don’t provide enough room or have pointed heels.
Fractures and Sprains
Foot and ankle injuries like sprains often result from sports-related trauma, and podiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating these injuries. Using medical imaging techniques like x-rays and MRI, our doctors can quickly determine whether you have a sprain or a fracture. Initially, treatment for a sprain usually involves resting the injured area. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be placed in an orthotic shoe or boot to minimise the load on your injured foot and help the bones heal properly. If the sprain is grade 3, meaning you have a complete tear or rupture of one of the main ligaments in your ankle, surgery may be required to realign the bones and ligaments.
Fractures in the feet and ankles are sometimes misdiagnosed, particularly if you have a minor injury with little swelling. Signs of a fracture include pain that is not relieved by medicine or ice, inability to bear weight, and discoloration in the injured area. These fractures require evaluation and treatment by a podiatrist from Inertia Health Group, who may recommend a cast to help with immobilisation and prescribe over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatories.
Nail Disorders
There are many different nail disorders that can be treated successfully by a podiatry Beverley podiatrist. Fungal nails are a common problem and can be very difficult to treat but there are many treatments available including nail removal surgery which is done very comfortably in the podiatrist’s clinic.
Thickened nails can be difficult to cut with a nail clipper and can cause problems with walking, especially for people with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Often, thickened nails develop an ingrown corner or side which digs into the soft tissue of the toenail groove and causes pain, inflammation, and infection. This most often occurs in the big toe but can occur in any toe.
The skin lying alongside the nail can become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, and form a paronychia (pain, swelling, redness, heat, and pus). Treatment by a podiatrist includes draining the paronychia, flushing the area with saltwater soaks, application of betadine and dressings and advice about appropriate footwear. Other nail abnormalities include pitting of the nails (“pits”), spooning of the nails (koilonychia) which scoop outwards like a spoon and brittle nails that break easily. These may be related to systemic diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus and some liver, heart and lung diseases.
Growing Pains
Growing pains are typically described as aching or throbbing, generally affecting the calves or the centre of the thighs. They are more common in the late afternoon or at night and can range from mild to moderate intensity. Growing pains are a normal part of children’s development and are usually self-limiting.
A podiatrist from Inertia Health Group will assess your child’s legs and feet to see if there are contributing factors which may be making the pain worse such as poor foot posture or joint hypermobility. Addressing these issues can help reduce your child’s symptoms.
It is important that any lower limb pain in a child is assessed by a podiatrist to exclude more serious conditions such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. A detailed history including when the pain started and stopped is required to determine the cause of your child’s discomfort. This is particularly important if the pain has been persistent or occurs in one leg only. This allows for more thorough testing and referrals to other specialists if necessary. Contact inspires podiatry Beverley today to make an appointment to have your child’s feet examined and their management plan reviewed.