Conditions
Common conditions affecting the foot, ankle & lower leg
There are many conditions that can affect your foot, ankle and lower leg. These include skin conditions, nail conditions, children’s foot problems, sports injuries and more. Some of these foot conditions cause pain whilst others are simply unsightly.
Your feet are vital to your health and daily living. It is estimated that the average person walks over 128,000 kms in their lifetime meaning that most are likely to suffer from some form of foot problem in their lifetime. Our Melbourne podiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg.
See below for links to some of the more common foot conditions that our Melbourne podiatrists treat.
There are many skin conditions that can affect the feet. Some can be hereditary whilst others are the result of skin infections or poor foot hygiene. Below is list of some common skin foot conditions often seen by our Melbourne podiatrists at our Camberwell clinic.
There are many nail conditions that can affect the foot. Some are caused through trauma, others the result of poor foot care or foot hygiene. Common nail conditions encountered by our podiatrists at our Melbourne foot clinic include:
The forefoot is the front part of your foot made up of the toes and metatarsal bones. This area of the foot is subject to significant forces during the propulsion phase of gait. Some common forefoot problems seen by our Melbourne podiatrists are outlined below.
- Bunions (Hallux valgus)
- Metatarsalgia
- Plantar plate
- Neuroma
- Stress fracture
The midfoot is the middle part of your foot and comprised of small bones and ligaments, which makes up the arch of your foot. Together with tendons the midfoot is a vital to help your foot absorb shock and provide propulsion during midstance. Some common midfoot problems seen by our podiatrists at our Melbourne foot centre are outlined below.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
- Lisfranc injury
- Accessory navicular
- Cuboid subluxation
- Stress fracture
The rearfoot is the back part of your foot and comprised of the heel and ankle. It contains some of the largest bones in the foot. This part of the foot is responsible for ankle flexion and shock absorption. It is subject to significant forces especially during heel strike and high impact activities. Some common rearfoot problems encountered by our Melbourne podiatrists are outlined below.
- Plantar heel pain (see heel pain conditions)
- Ankle sprain
- Achilles tendinopathy
There are a number of different conditions that can cause heel pain hence it deserves special mention. Probably the most common is plantar fasciitis but often lesser conditions such as nerve entrapment get over looked. Correct diagnosis by one our podiatrists with treatment focused on the cause of heel pain often will ensure a successful outcome. Below is a list of common heel pain conditions that our podiatrists see at our Melbourne foot clinic.
Children’s feet are the corner stone to stability and lower leg mechanics. As children grow, they can be faced with a number of foot problems that can cause symptoms or affect posture, gait and stability. Some are growing conditions whilst others can have long lasting effects if not treated properly. Below is a list of some common children’s foot problems that our Melbourne children’s podiatrists often see.
There are many different sports injuries that can result in foot or lower leg pain. Some are soft tissue injuries whilst others can affect the bones or joints. Thorough diagnosis and treatment with one of our sports podiatrists is essential to getting you back on the sporting field. Below if a list of common sporting injuries encountered by our Melbourne sports podiatrists.
There are many other conditions that often get overlooked from a foot perspective. The way your foot functions can affect other joints or areas in the body. Common conditions seen by our Melbourne podiatrists where foot function plays a role include:
- Lower back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
Treatment of common foot conditions
Treatment for common foot conditions can vary but successful treatment always starts with an accurate diagnosis.
The friendly podiatrists at our Melbourne podiatry clinic will firstly assess your problem and then correctly diagnose the condition. Sometimes this may involve gait analysis or referral for further diagnostic scans such as x-rays, ultrasound or MRI imaging.
Once your foot condition has been accurately diagnosed our podiatrists will formulate a treatment plan. Finally our podiatrists will thoroughly review your treatment progress to make sure treatment of your foot condition is successful.
Common foot treatments at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics
Some common foot treatments at our Melbourne clinic include:
- General foot care
- Diabetes foot care
- Prescription of nail & skin products
- Nail fungus treatment
- PACT Nail fungus therapy
- Ingrown toenail treatment
- Nail surgery
- Plantar fasciitis treatment
- Plantar heel pain treatment
- Sports injuries
- Laser therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Strapping & taping
- Stretching & strengthening exercises
- Orthotics
- CAM Walkers (Moon boots)
- Footwear advice
Do you suffer from a painful or unsightly foot condition?
At our Melbourne foot clinic our podiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg.
So if you are suffering from a painful or unsightly foot condition book an appointment with one of our friendly podiatrists today!