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