Podiatry
Western Sydney Podiatry is a leading Sydney podiatrist. A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet, ankle and lower limbs.
There are several recognised sub speciality areas of podiatry including:
General Podiatry Care
General podiatry care encompasses the routine care of feet and nails including, corn and callus debridement, bunions, cracked heel management, dry skin and all nail care. Services included in this category are generally non invasive.
Podo-paediatrics (Children’s Feet)
The child’s foot is not just a small-scale model of an adult foot. Its shape is not finally determined until growth ceases at the end of the second decade of life. Clinicians at Western Sydney Podiatry are able to provide treatment options and education on a broad range of children specific issues ranging from common problems such as walking issues, footwear and growing pains to more acute problems such as osteochondroses (a group of bone growth diseases).
Podiatric Sports Medicine
Any sport which involves walking, running, standing or jumping places greater physical demands on our body than normal day-to-day activities. Read more…
Diabetic Foot Care (High Risk Foot Care)
High risk feet are feet which have lost feeling (peripheral neuropathy) and/or have poor blood flow (peripheral vascular disease). These feet have typically had a foot ulcer or amputation in the past or are at high risk of developing one in the future. The most common patient population to present with High Risk Feet are patients with Diabetes. At Western Sydney Podiatry our clinicians are highly trained and experienced in high risk foot management and provide the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, dressings and advice.
Orthotic Therapy (Orthoses)
Orthoses are custom-made shoe inserts made specifically to reduce foot or lower limb problems. The prescription and manufacture of orthoses is an important part of podiatric practice. Our podiatrists are well trained in the provision and manufacturing of orthoses. Orthotics may be functional orthoses or accommodative orthoses. Functional orthoses are prescribed after a thorough biomechanical assessment and casting of the feet. Our practice then scans these casts into a computer system which mills the orthoses according to prescription variables proposed by your podiatrist. The aim of these orthoses is to relieve pathological (abnormal) forces acting on structural tissue such as bone and tendon to relieve patient symptoms and improve mechanical efficiency.
Accommodative orthoses are designed specifically to reduce pressure from painful or ulcerated areas of the foot. These are often softer and thicker devices made of foam or rubbers. Palliative orthoses are often used for the treatment of severely deformed feet with a limited range of motion and mobility. They are often an appropriate choice for patients with a history of diabetic foot complications such as a history of ulceration or amputation or for patients with arthritic conditions with significant soft-tissue wasting and/or circulatory disease.
Common Complaints
Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most common conditions treated by podiatrists. Read more…
Flat Feet
A flat foot is a postural position that has long been associated with pain and disability. This is caused by excessive pronation (rolling in) due to a mechanical misalignment of the foot. This may potential be a destructive position for the foot to function in and can cause a wide variety of foot, leg and lower back conditions.
It should however be noted that all babies and most toddlers appear to have flat feet as their immature bone structure results in the child’s foot being highly flexible and soft. Flexible flat feet are considered normal at these developmental ages. The arch on the inside of the foot may begin to develop at age 4 and should be developed by age 10. Due to this treatment of flat feet is generally not warranted in this age group unless the child is experiencing pain or difficulties walking/running or has a strong family history of lower limb dysfunction.
If you are concerned with your foot posture or your please contact the clinic for individual podiatry assessment.
Shin Splints
Shin splints is a general term used to describe any exertional pain occurring in the shin area including but not limited to; medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), tibial or fibular stress fracture, muscle strains or tears and chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Read more…
Ingrown Nails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows down and into the skin of the toe. Read more…
Fungal Nails
Brittleness, discoloration (yellow/white), crumbling, and thickening of the nail plate and/or the build up of debris under the nail are often signs of a fungal nail infection. Read more…
Bunions & Hammer Toes
A bunion is an enlargement of the big toe joint which forces the joint to protrude and the big toe to move out of place bending toward the lesser toes. With destabilisation of the forefoot the lesser toes sometimes deform and retract or rotate out of normal alignment.
Though the formation of bunions is largely genetic the associated pain and swelling is usually caused by irritation to the area from footwear, or the result of subsequent arthritis. Bunions can lead to many other foot problems such as corns and callus, an ingrown toenail, and walking problems.
The podiatrists at Western Sydney Podiatry are here to advise you of the many different treatments available for bunions which vary with the type and severity of your bunion. Treatment options can range from general podiatry care to deflective padding and footwear advice to orthotics and surgery in some cases.
Warts
Plantar warts or verrucae are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and present as a skin lesion that resembles a callus on the bottom surface of the foot. Read more…
Corns & Callus
Corns and callus are a build up of dead skin caused by pressure and friction, which most commonly occurs due to poor-fitting shoes. Not only can corns and callus be painful but if left untreated, corns and calluses can lead to ulcers especially in the presence of diabetes of vascular disease.
The podiatrists at Western Sydney can provide immediate relief from these issues by painlessly removing the dead skin responsible and providing deflective or cushioning devices and footwear advice where appropriate
Foot Care & Health Products
Western Sydney Podiatry conveniently offers a range of specialised foot care and health products.
Walkers Specialist Urea-15 Lotion 500ml Pump
This Australian made urea cream is a remedy for numerous skin conditions. Urea is a compound naturally found in the surface layer of the skin (epidermis), and plays a vital role in maintaining the skin’s moisture balance and the suppleness of the skin. Urea is non-toxic, non-allergenic, colourless and odourless. This cream contains 15% chemically synthesized urea in a highly therapeutic cream. Apply twice daily for the treatment of dry cracked split skin, callused skin, and irritating eczema.
Dr Comfort Shape to Fit Compression Wear (Men’s and Women’s Styles Available)
Dr Comfort Shape-to-Fit Compression Wear combines function, fashion and comfort for preventative and medically correct support that’s attractive, too. Compression wear is available in multiple colours, sizes, fabrics (including micro-nylon and wool) and levels of graduated support (compression). Shape to Fit Compression Wear may be used to alleviate early lower limb conditions, prevent swelling in legs, ankles and feet, reduce leg fatigue and ache and encourage circulatory wellness.
Dr Comfort Shape to Fit
All styles of Dr. Comfort socks are designed and manufactured with your foot health in mind. They’re perfect for people living with diabetes, arthritis, edema, neuropathy and circulation issues. They’re available in a range of men’s and women’s sizes. Dr Comfort socks feature a non binding sock top that won’t bite into the leg, moisture wicking acrylic to keep feet cool and dry, light arch support, nano bamboo charcoal fibres which is a natural deodorizer and Y heel and toe construction for a perfect fit.
Dr Comfort Footwear
Dr Comfort Footwear offers style, comfort and quality in a range of therapeutic shoes designed in collaboration with podiatrists and pedorthists. Every style of shoe offers extra depth in the toe box and is available in three widths to accommodate even the most difficult foot. Each shoe is fabricated using top quality natural materials and most uppers and linings are made from the finest grain leathers. Two inserts are provided with the shoe to offer additional cushioning and depth options with one innersole featuring gel padding under the heel and forefoot. These shoes are strongly recommended for people with diabetes, individuals with foot complications, but also those who simply desire a comfortable pair of shoes.
Orthaheel Thong & Sandal Range
These thongs and sandals are light weight, with a built in orthotic midsole featuring a contoured arch and heel cup which provides excellent foot support. The midsole is made from shock absorbing EVA to improve foot comfort whilst the outsole is a durable rubber. They are designed to complement orthotic treatment when you don’t want to wear your shoes and are clinically proven to aid in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. These shoes come with a 30 day comfort guarantee when recommended by your podiatrist.
