Category: Podiatry Problems

A podiatrist is a registered health professional, qualified to treating concerns relating to the feet and lower limbs – although some people may refer to them as a chiropodist, which is the term still commonly used in the UK).

Both “podiatrist” and “chiropodist” come from the Greek word “pod” – meaning “foot” – which forms the basis of our English words tripod, podium and antipodes, etc.

The most common reasons to see a podiatrist include:

• unexplained or unresolved pain in the lower limbs eg heel pain, joint pain, plantar fasciitis,
• problems with an ingrown toenail
• a sprained ankle or other injury affecting the toes, feet or lower limbs
• concerns about the appearance or development – eg flat feet, limb length discrepancy, a bony growth on the heel (heel spur), bow legs, duck toes.
• issues that affect walking and mobility.
• calluses, corns, cracked heels, bunions, plantar warts … pretty much any issue with the toes, feet, ankles, up to your knees.

However, you may be surprised by these three more unusual reasons to see a podiatrist:

1 – Back Problems

If you are experiencing lower back pain, it could be that there is a problem with the structure and function of your feet – which is causing you to walk in a particular way, resulting in additional stress on your back.

As we age, years of poor biomechanics in our feet begin to take their toll and although we may never have had a problem before, all of a sudden we are plagued by backache.

Conversely, if you are suffering from pain and discomfort in your feet, the culprit could very well be a problem in your back! The connective nature of the body means that you are experiencing what is known as “referred pain” – a problem with your back, is causing the symptoms in your feet.

2 – Diabetes

What does the level of glucose in your blood have to do with your feet? And how could a podiatrist possibly help?

When your body has problems with producing and maintaining your glucose levels, it can affect your feet in the following ways:

• Damage to the delicate nerve endings, causing reduced sensation in the feet. Have you ever had a blister develop when wearing a new pair of shoes? Ouch! A person with diabetes however, may not actually feel or even notice the blister. Although this sounds like a good thing, it can be dangerous especially when combined with the second side effect of diabetes, which is …
• Reduced blood flow to the extremities. This means that a blister on your foot will take a lot longer to heal. Together, these two side effects of diabetes increase the risk of infection and serious problems with your lower limbs – and in worst case scenario, amputation may be required.

For these reasons,  your doctor will refer you to see a local podiatrist if you are diagnosed with diabetes.

3 – Before you take up running or a new sport

Yes, podiatrists treat injuries and ailments of the feet and lower limbs. Why would you see one before any damage is done?

It all comes back to that old proverb, “prevention is better than cure”.

Running and some sports (eg netball, football) place an incredible amount of force on the feet and lower limbs – a hard surface, speed, and sudden changes in movement and direction can all take their toll.

With 52 bones in your feet, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles – you can see why there is a lot of potential for damage!

Your podiatrist can give you information and advice – from choosing the best running shoes for your needs, to warm up exercises – to help you prevent injury.

If after reading these reasons to see a podiatrist, you want to make an appointment at our Redlands clinic, you can call us on 3207 4736 or try our secure online booking system.

Although most of the population naturally have a difference in the length of their limbs (1), it is usually so minimal that they don’t even realise, nor does it require treatment.

Pain in the lower back and legs could indicate that there is more significant leg length discrepancy which may benefit from podiatry care; other signs may include a head tilt, shoulder dip, limping, or a variation in shoe sizes.

Your local podiatrist is the expert in all things feet, and can diagnose as well as recommend solutions such as orthotics or shoes for leg length discrepancy.

However what many people don’t realise is that a leg length discrepancy may also arise later in life, following an injury and/or surgery.

Signs of Leg Length Discrepancy

Should leg length discrepancy develop following these circumstances, you may notice pain in the:

• lower back;
• buttocks;
• running down the back of the leg;
• in, or on the outside of the knee;
• ankle;
• foot.

There may even be an increased risk of stress fractures (2).

These problems arise because the differing leg lengths place increase pressure on the nerves in the lower back, which innervate the foot.

The Impact of Injury or Surgery

While surgical interventions such as hip or knee replacements, ligament or tendon repair, may fix one problem, these procedures – and aids such as crutches and moon boots – can affect the length of your limbs.

The simple ankle sprain is also a common culprit. We often see clients many months afterwards, reporting that although the sprained ankle is now healed, it still doesn’t feel quite right. The incredible forces placed on the site during the injury have caused joints to pop out of alignment. As a result the individual begins walking differently to compensate, without even realising it – upsetting the body’s natural balance.

It can take a full 6 to 12 months for the body to recover from surgery or injury. In the meantime however, our body has compensated and while we may have completed the rehabilitation process, all of a sudden something else is getting sore. The lower back, the ball of the foot, or the outside of the knee are suddenly causing pain! But why?!

All of these problems may affect your limb length, and ultimately, your body’s balance.

FMT, Orthotics or Shoes for Leg Length Discrepancy

Following injury or surgery, the connection between the foot and brain – and vice versa – can be lost.

In order to improve your body’s balance and reconnect that neurological pathway, and to compensate for the problems cause by a leg length discrepancy, at Trevor Lane Podiatry we may use treatments such as:

• Foot Mobilisation Therapy (the only local podiatrist qualified in this modality);
• Orthotics or shoes for limb length discrepancy;
• kinetic tape.

However we can only assess what else was interrupted during that healing process, by physical examination, digital gait analysis or other diagnostic imaging, once you’ve recovered from the initial bruising, swelling, stitches, crutches, boots etc.

Sometimes there are other factors which may be at play, meaning that podiatry treatment may not be suitable.

At these times your local podiatrist may refer you to another allied health care practitioner such as a chiropractor, osteopath, or physiotherapist. While your podiatrist plays a key role in a complex overall picture, the aim is to work in conjunction with other health services to ensure the best possible result for you as the client.

If you have recovered from a physical trauma, but now experience pain in your feet, lower limbs, or lower back, you can click to book an appointment online or call Trevor Lane Podiatry on 3207 4736.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1232860/
2. http://www.podiatryinstitute.com/pdfs/Update_2011/2011_35.pdf

Children’s bodies grow and change so much in the first years of life that it can be hard to know what is normal, and what is not – which is why we get many parents calling or asking about podiatry for kids.

From flat feet to pigeon toes, ingrown toenails and making sure shoes fit correctly, our Redlands podiatrists are trained professionals in matters relating to the feet, toes, and lower limbs for every member of the family.

While there are many reasons a parent might seek out podiatry help for their child, some of the more common concerns are listed below.

Lower Limb Development

The good news is that often what might seem abnormal compared to adult feet, is quite common in children.

Things like pigeon toe (in toeing), duck feet (feet that turn out), bowed legs, knock knees, flat feet, even walking only on their tip toes, can be normal in young children, and in most cases will resolve on their own by the time a child reaches school age.

However if you notice that your child has developed an unusual gait, for example limping or favouring one side; or that they seem to trip or fall a lot more than their peers, taking your child to a podiatrist for an assessment is a good idea.

Uneven shoe wear can also be a sign that there is a problem with your child’s biomechanics (ie the way that they are walking and moving), which could potentially cause extra strain on muscles, ligaments and joints, or even increase the risk of injury.

Pain, Injury and Infection

Carrying the full weight of our body is no easy feat for our feet, no matter what age we may be!

Your child may complain of pain from an easily identifiable cause such as a plantar wart or an ingrown toenail, both of which could benefit from a visit to your local podiatrist for treatment so your child is running around again in no time.

However sometimes it may seem that there is no apparent reason for your child to be experiencing leg or foot pain.

A condition known as “Sever’s disease” may cause heel pain in one or both feet, and is most commonly seen in children between the ages of about eight and fourteen, particularly those who lead an active life. While this is one of those conditions that children do grow out of, in the meantime your local podiatrist is able to help with managing symptoms and reducing pain.

What about Growing Pains?

Some children suffer from growing pains, and even though we don’t fully understand the cause, the pain is very real.

Growing pains tend to occur in the muscles of the legs and get worse later in the day, even interrupting your child’s sleep – only to disappear in the morning. If your child is affected, try gently massaging the affected area, some over the counter pain relief, or a wheatie or hot water bottle to help with symptoms and soothing your child.

If however you notice that your child is experiencing pain during the day, is limping, or otherwise unwell, or their leg is sore to touch, further investigation is warranted as it could be a sign of an underlying virus, infection, or other problem requiring treatment.

How to Look after your Child’s Feet

While the usual foot care tips apply, there are a couple of extra things to be aware of when it comes to looking after your child’s feet:

• There is no need for shoes (except for warmth) in babies that are not yet walking.
• Your child’s feet can grow up to 17 sizes in the first dozen years of their life, so make sure that they are not restricted by booties, socks, or shoes that are too tight or rigid.
• Such rapid growth can make it tempting to buy your children shoes with plenty of “growing room” – however don’t go overboard, as poorly fitting shoes can increase the risk of injury such as a sprained ankle or foot fractures.

If you are looking for a Redlands podiatrist with experience in podiatry for kids, at Trevor Lane Podiatry we are here to help. You can call us today on 3207 4736 or make a booking online 24/7.

I often encounter clients that say things along the line of: “My sprained ankle still hurts after 3 months!” or; “Ever since I had that sprained ankle, my foot has never been quite the same”.

Usually, they are having difficulties with things like wearing high heels or climbing stairs, or perhaps while exercising eg squatting or trying to get a good calf stretch – all because the ankle feels like it is “stuck”.

A sprained ankle is one of the most common sporting injuries, particularly within certain sports such as touch football, netball and basketball. Watching my daughter play netball one weekend recently, I noticed several players experience this terrible traumatic event.

When we sprain or roll our ankle, our immediate reaction is to catch our breath from the pain.

Often it will seem to swell up before our very eyes, or the area will become quite bruised over the next few days, making it quite clear that we’ve sustained some sort of ligament or muscle damage.

But My Sprained Ankle wasn’t even that Bad!

For others, however, there may be no visible signs of injury and they may be able to walk normally pretty much straight away, not realising the damage that’s been done.

It’s only further down the track they gradually realise that their ankle just hasn’t been the same ever since –  3, 6, 12, or even 18 months afterwards!

There are two main reasons why these individuals are experiencing pain and discomfort so long after they sprained their ankle:

1. Twisting, rolling, or spraining your ankle places incredible abnormal forces on the bones and joints in your foot and surrounding structures. With 26 bones and 43 joints in the foot, there is a lot of potential for something to go wrong!
2. Spraining your ankle can disrupt the neurological pathway connecting your foot to your brain. Normally, we don’t need to think about being able to walk; our brain automatically knows the position of our feet, and how to move them. However, an ankle sprain can interrupt these messages between the brain and foot.

As a result, the individual begins to realise that the ankle is still hurting months after the event.

In the immediate aftermath of rolling or spraining your ankle, applying ice will help to reduce swelling and bruising – if it is particularly painful, x-rays may be called for determine if there have been any foot fractures. For many people, a day or two of resting the ankle may well be all that is required to get them back to normal.

If Your Ankle Still Hurts After 3 Months

If pain or discomfort persists however, further treatment may be required. You may find yourself limping in high heels, struggling to sit on the ground with crossed legs, or or even experiencing secondary problems such as sore knees and lower back pain, ever since you injured your ankle.

Fortunately, there is a treatment option: Foot Mobilisation Therapy, a fairly recent development in the field of podiatry. It is a simple process incorporating gentle traction or stretch, while placing the joint through the normal range of movement.

The foot mobilisation technique allows the joint to simply realign itself. Sometimes, the patient may be lucky enough to hear a click or a pop when this happens, though not always. It’s not painful, and the pop or click does not indicate any form of damage – rather, that full range of movement in the joint has been restored.

Treatment for Persistent Ankle Problems

At Trevor Lane Podiatry we are proud to be the first (and currently only) podiatrist in the Redlands providing Foot Mobilisation Therapy.

Once the ankle joint has been gently persuaded back into place, the focus is on restoring the electrical pathways between brain and foot (and vice versa). Your podiatrist may apply kinetic tape, to remind your body how the foot is supposed to function; and you may be prescribed certain exercises to help you regain balance and muscular strength in the affected foot and leg – for example, stretches using a resistance band (or theraband).

Suffering with a sore ankle for several months following a sprain, isn’t something you should just “put up with”, or dismiss as part of “old age”.

If you are suffering any pain or difficulties with movement in the months following an ankle sprain, call for an appointment today on 3207 4736. Although this type of podiatry treatment is not covered by Medicare, at Trevor Lane Podiatry we strive to keep our fees affordable for all.

It may seem strange to think of somebody going to a podiatry clinic, when they actually have a problem with their back.

After all, podiatry is the branch of medicine which diagnoses and treats issues related to the lower limbs – heels, toes, feet, ankles and knees.

And yet I see many patients complaining of leg or heel pain, for example, only to discover that their foot pain is caused by back problems, even though the back itself isn’t hurting!

Is Your Foot Pain Caused by Back Problems?

When I was in Cubs and Scouts years ago, we used to sing about how the knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone, and so on.

We thought it was just a silly song, however in over twenty years of podiatry practice I have come to realise just how much truth it holds: the body is indeed a series of connective tissues, bones, nerves and systems, that all work in harmony with each other.

So when a patient is experiencing foot pain, it could in fact be something called “referred pain”. That is, although they may not have pain there, it is actually a back problem which is causing the symptoms in their feet, knees or legs.

Conversely, lower back pain may actually be related to poor biomechanics of the feet. In such cases, a podiatrist may be able to address the back pain, by prescribing certain shoes or orthotics that improve your overall body balance.

The Connection Between Feet and Back

The lumbar region at the base of the spine consists of five vertebrae, which play a really important role in how we use our lower limbs.

So when a client presents at our podiatry clinic with pain in both feet, we not only check for conditions such as spurs, ligament or tendon damage – but we also need to consider the body as a whole.

It is extremely rare for a patient to have an identical injury in the same location on both feet at the same time. Instead, we usually find that there are lower back issues, or other pathologies such as:

• thyroid disease;
• osteoarthritis;
• limb length discrepancies;
• scoliois (curvature of the spine).

These conditions can put pressure on the nerves, which then refer that pain to whatever they innovate. The lumbar region, for example, refers pain to your legs and feet.

A Whole of Body Approach

This is why a good podiatrist needs to assess your whole body, and not just your lower limbs.

Whatever we do to your lower limbs impacts on your hips, your back, and right up to your neck. When we treat foot pain, we don’t want it to cause an increase in lower back pain or headaches instead!

So in addition to looking at your foot type, the surface you stand on, your shoes and how they are wearing – your podiatrist should also check things like:

• Your body’s symmetry: are your legs the same length? Are your hips and buttocks level? Are your shoulders level or dropped to one side?
• The condition of various muscles: are they tight, or weak?

Because of the way the various parts of our body are connected and impact on each other, there are times when as a podiatrist I may refer a patient to other allied health care professionals.

At our Redlands podiatry clinic, we have a great working relationship with some of the local physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and the like, to ensure the best of care for the whole of your body in these particular situations.

The Problem with Growing Older

No body is perfect and we all have alignment imperfections. However as we grow older, our body’s ability to deal with these alignment anomalies starts to falter, so symptoms start to appear.

Patients often ask me: Why now? When I was younger I never had this problem!

And that is exactly my point – the body is no longer coping with or compensating for a certain twist in the back, a short leg, a bow in the bone, etc.

So next time you visit our podiatry clinic, don’t be surprised if as well as considering your fallen arches, or sore achilles tendon, we also assess your whole body alignment.

At our Redlands podiatry clinic, we treat each patient as a whole person, rather than just a foot! Call today on 3207 4736 for an appointment, if you are experiencing foot or leg pain.