FAQs For Podiatry
What is the roll of a Podiatrist?
Podiatrists specialize in treating problems with and injuries to the feet, ankles, legs, and knees, as well as optimizing their function. They can diagnose, give advice, and manage all lower limb and foot conditions.
There are a series of treatments and assessments that a podiatrist can use/give, some of these are biomechanical assessments, gait analysis, kids podiatry, orthotics, footwear assessment, general podiatry, and the treatment of sports injuries.
Podiatrists also work extensively with optimizing sports performance, injury prevention, improving daily comfort when walking and/or when at work, and much more. Therefore, you do not need to be in pain to see a podiatrist.
What can I expect from my Podiatry appointment?
Your podiatrist will listen to you, listen to your concerns and goals. They will ask you a series of questions that will help determine a diagnoses and suitable treatment for you. Everything will be discussed to a point that you will have complete understanding.
How often do I need to visit a podiatrist?
This depends on your individual condition. Footwear related problems are most often fixed with treatment with a footwear assessment, orthotics, or related treatment. Reoccurring problems due to genetic factors, lifestyle or sports injury may require ongoing care.
I have a muscle / sports injury. Can a podiatrist help me?
Certainly, podiatry has a very wide scope of practice. Any foot, ankle, lower leg, or ongoing musculoskeletal problem can benefit from podiatry services.
We frequently treat several athletes in a wide range of sports, from professionals all the way down to recreational exercises.
If you have experienced a sports injury of the lower limb or joints, come in to Doveston Health today.
Do I need a referral to see a Podiatrist?
Not always. There are a few different routes you can go down when wanting to see a Podiatrist, and each route will determine whether you need a referral or not.
If you are a private patient and/or wanting to claim your private health insurance, you do not need a referral, but you will need to provide your private health card.
For Work Cover, Bulk Billed Medicare EPC, or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims, a doctor's referral is required. If you have consulted your GP already regarding your condition and they have given you a referral, please remember to bring that along to your appointment.
What do I need to bring along to my first podiatry appointment?
Any X-Rays, ultrasounds that corresponds to your current problem. Shoes that you wear the most, especially during exercise, old orthotics that you have used. Also, occasionally it is helpful to wear shorts as the podiatrist will be able to assess your whole leg if necessary.
What training does a Podiatrist have to undergo?
Our podiatrists here at Doveston Health have undergone a minimum of four years at university and regularly attend conferences and education seminars to keep up to date with current research and treatment trends. All our podiatrist are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
What do Orthotics do?
Studies show that the daily pressures applied on the foot will not only affect the lower limbs but the entire skeletal system as a whole. Orthotics are devices placed into your shoes to control biomechanical insufficiencies, support abnormal joints, reduce muscle fatigue/stress, support weakened areas of the lower limb, improve postural alignment, and aid in injury recovery and prevention.
Custom-made orthotic devices are molded to provide support to the arch of the foot, improving knee alignment and reducing pain when running. This technique has been very successful at resolving issues of the foot, ankle, knee, leg, hip, and back discomfort or pain.
How can we avoid ingrown toenails?
There are a few reasons you may be getting ingrown toenails. Tight shoes can cause ingrown toenails as this forces the nail to grow into and towards the skin instead of in the right direction. Cutting your toenails incorrectly can also cause ingrown toenails.
Always try to cut your nails straight across and do not cut the corners too short. Cutting down the sides of nails incorrectly can leave a small sharp edge, creating a ‘spike’ which then grows up into the skin. Always wash your toes before cutting nails as this will help prevent infection and spread of fungus if there is any.
If you believe you have an ingrown toenail, we advise that you do not try to cut this out yourself as in some cases can make it matters worse. We suggest you see a Podiatrist as they have the skills to correct this issue.
What causes Foot Pain?
There are a variety of reasons your feet can become sore as the foot has an overly complex structure. The most common causes of foot pain are sports injuries, ill-fitted or inappropriate footwear, health problems, trauma to the foot, and genetic disposition.
The day-to-day stresses on the foot can be aggravated by various environments and conditions such as in the workplace or in sports. Please note that these are just some causes and not all.
Why do I need to see a Podiatrist if I have Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that can affect every part of your body. Its effects on the feet include reduced circulation, loss of sensation in the feet, thinning and drying of the skin, and major changes to bone structure.
Regular checks can help to reduce the risk of developing ulceration and infection. At Doveston Health, we perform a thorough assessment and provide a written report to your GP as we understand that the best health outcomes occur with collaboration with your healthcare team.
What does a diabetic assessment consist of? Might have to get the podiatrist to write this one as I am not sure what the process is even after extensive google research.
We pride ourselves on providing thorough diabetic assessments and associated treatment. We use the latest technology to assess your nerve and blood supply to the feet to determine your level of risk.
A Doppler ultrasound is used and prints off a report that shows how strong the blood flow is from your heart down to your feet.
Your blood pressure is also tested at your ankle level and compared to your usual pressure taken from your arm.
Once all results have been collaborated, a report is then sent to your GP for an assessment. This is all repeated semi-regularly to ensure no changes have occurred.
