| SKIN | | | | required to maintain the foot and prevent problems. |
| | | | Once again podiatrists work very closely with GP's/ |
| These include the debridement (removal) of callus | | | | Endocrinologists on this matter and may be included in |
| which is an over production of skin on the foot in | | | | the overall care plan for the patient - as designed by |
| response to pressure, a focal area of pressure can | | | | the GP |
| result in a corn which can also be removed via | | | | BIOMECHANICAL INJURY |
| mechanical debridement. Other skin conditions include | | | | |
| plantar verrucae's which are warts on the bottom | | | | Various lower limb injuries related to activity and |
| surface of the foot which can become painful with | | | | overuse syndromes may have a biomechanical cause. |
| weight-bearing activity. These may be debrided and | | | | Podiatrists are able to identify such things through |
| then treated via dry ice/acidic therapies. Fungal | | | | gait analysis and biomechanical assessment. For |
| infections of the skin of the foot are also common | | | | example an overly pronating ('rolling in') foot may be |
| due the environment within shoes where ventilation is | | | | associated with such conditions as |
| poor and moisture can build up, these are also | | | | heel spur syndrome/arch pain- 'plantar fasciitis' |
| contagious through water droplets in public bathing | | | | Achilles tendonitis |
| areas such as showers and pools. Bacterial infections | | | | Shin pain- often generically referred to as 'shin splints' |
| can also occur on the skin particularly when there is | | | | eg. periostitis, tendonitis, stress fracture |
| injury to the skin surface or when circulation is poor. | | | | anterior knee pain- patellofemoral joint pain |
| An example of this is with ingrown toe nails whereby | | | | metatarsalgia- any conditions affecting the |
| the nail pierces the superficial layers of the skin. The | | | | metatarsals |
| podiatrist is trained to recognize the difference | | | | sinus tarsi syndrome |
| between these things, treat where necessary and | | | | tibialis posterior dysfunction - most common cause |
| offer suggested therapies. | | | | of unilateral flat foot in adulthood |
| | | | tarsal coalition- most common cause of unilateral flat |
| NAIL | | | | foot in children |
| | | | morton's neuroma- a perineural fibroma ie- scar |
| Nail conditions may include thickening of the nails due | | | | tissue build up around an intermetatarsal nerve |
| to either trauma, onychomycosis (fungal infection), | | | | |
| neglect, or poor circulation. A podiatrist is able to | | | | An overly supinating ('rolling out') foot is less |
| maintain the nails and suggest other conjunctive | | | | common and may be associated with conditions such |
| therapies. Ingrown toe nails as previously mentioned | | | | as |
| are also commonly treated and the podiatrist may | | | | |
| skillfully remove these with or without the | | | | repetitive lateral ankle joint sprains |
| administration of local anaesthetic depending on the | | | | peroneal tendonitis |
| site and degree of the problem. In this situation the | | | | lateral ligament sprains |
| podiatrist works closely with the GP and antibiotics | | | | Iliotibial band friction syndrome |
| may also be administered if infection is present. | | | | |
| | | | Podiatrists are able to identify underlying causes to |
| DIABETES | | | | various injuries and treat accordingly using strappings, |
| | | | foot orthoses (custom made insoles), stretching |
| Care of the diabetic foot has become an important | | | | strengthening programs, footwear advice and |
| facet of podiatry due to possible complications | | | | managing injury in the acute phasePeter Marks is |
| involving the sensory and vascular system of the | | | | CEO of Holdsworth House Medical Practice in NSW |
| foot and leg. With poor diabetes control the | | | | Australia. Holdsworth House Allied Health (HHH) |
| circulation and / or nerve supply to the feet may be | | | | employs highly qualified Podiatrists who specialise in a |
| compromised. Neurovascular tests along with | | | | range of areas Heel Pain, Diabetes, Warts, Toenail, |
| assessment of the general foot condition are | | | | Problems, Corns, Callous, Footwear Advice, Children's |
| performed to determine whether the patient is at | | | | Feet & more. HHH is located in Darlinghurst & Byron |
| low, medium or high risk of foot complications. | | | | Bay. Podiatry is available in Holdsworth House's |
| Neurovascular testing of the diabetic foot is | | | | Sydney (Darlinghurst) Medical Practice. Visit for more |
| recommended every 12 months minimum, and quite | | | | information. |
| often ongoing treatment throughout the year is | | | | |