Services

Corns & Calluses

Our feet play an important role in getting us around. When we walk or stand, our feet carry the burden of our body weight, as well as bearing the various pressures of movement and the constraints of footwear.

Sometimes, pressure placed on the foot becomes out of balance and extra friction falls on particular areas of the foot.

When this happens, the body may respond to the pressure by producing thickenings in the surface layer of the skin. If the cause of pressure is not relieved, calluses become painful. The presence of a central ‘core’ suggests a corn has formed.

Types

If pressure becomes concentrated in a small area, a ‘hard’ corn may develop. Sometimes the pressure of the corn or callus may produce inflammation, which can result in acute pain, swelling and redness. Sometimes ‘soft’ corns may form between the toes where the skin is moist from sweat or inadequate drying. These appear white and rubbery and are also caused by excessive friction.

Ingrown Toenails

The most common problem treated by Podiatrists is ingrown toenails. The big toe is particularly prone to this painful condition. Incorrect trimming technique, trauma (such as stubbing your toe), nails that naturally curve too sharply, or wearing tight shoes can cause an ingrown toenail.

Inflammation of the Skin Alongside the Nail

The skin lying alongside the nail can become infected with bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is called paronychia. The symptoms include pain, redness and swelling around the cuticle, and perhaps a discharge of yellow or green pus. Acute cases can be treated with antibiotics. However, chronic paronychia is harder to treat. The nail distorts and discolours and the skin may lift at the site of infection.

Diabetes

Your feet have a multitude of nerves that act as an emergency warning system. For example, if you have a stone in your shoe, nerves will send a message to your brain to investigate. However, if your diabetes is poorly controlled for a long period of time, this may lead to nerve damage, or ‘peripheral neuropathy’, which impairs sensation to the feet, and/or reduced blood supply, also known as ‘poor circulation’.

How we can help

Podiatrists provide accurate information to determine your foot health classification. We will be able to highlight any risks that you may be predisposed to and in many cases, unaware of. Our Neurological and Vascular Assessments utilise Doppler ultrasound blood flow technology, as well as other diagnostic tests to determine the health of your lower limb blood flow and nerve supply. Your Podiatrist will also recommend management strategies to help you to minimise the risk of lower limb diabetic complications.

Deformed or Brittle Nails

A violent toe-stubbing, dropping a heavy object on the toe or some other trauma can injure the nail bed and cause the nail to grow in deformed ways. The nail may be thickened or ridged. Brittle nails are common in elderly people because of the tendency to poor circulation. Deformed or brittle nails can benefit from professional attention. Trimming, shaping and nail care from your Podiatrist can improve the health of your nails.

Fungal Infections

Symptoms of a nail with fungal infection include discolouration and thickening of the nail, and the separation of the nail from the nail bed. There may be a white, cheesy discharge. Without treatment, the nail bed itself can become infected. Treatment options include anti-fungal preparations and professional trimming, shaping and care of the nail by your Podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Heel pain is one of the most common conditions treated by Podiatrists. It is often a message from the body that something is in need of medical attention.

Pain that occurs right after an injury or early in an illness may play a protective role, often warning us about the damage we have suffered.

Who is at Risk?

The greatest incidence of heel pain is seen in middle-aged men and women. It is also seen in those who take part in regular sporting activities and those that are on their feet a lot.

While heel pain has many causes, it is usually the result of faulty biomechanics (abnormalities in the way we walk). This can place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues attached to it. The stress may also result from injury, or a bruise incurred while walking, running or jumping on hard surfaces or wearing poorly constructed footwear.

Lower Limb Pain

Podiatrists are trained to assess, diagnose & treat pain & injuries of the lower limb. This is not limited to the foot – it includes the knee, calf, ankle & foot.

Lower limb pain can be present as a result of wear and tear or overuse. It can also be caused by injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons or in joints or bones. And simply as a direct result of how your body moves can cause Biomechanical related pain.

Southern Podiatry is an ACC approved provider. So if you have sustained an injury & require the care of a Podiatrist to help with your recovery, then we would love to help you.

If you have a current ACC claim, then bring the details with you. Otherwise we can lodge an ACC claim for you. To make the process easier you do not need a referral to visit the clinic, you just need to contact us to make an appointment.