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