Podiatry

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Podiatry Assessment

About Podiatry

Are you suffering from a leg or foot injury or problem? If so, you should consult with a qualified podiatrist who will be able to diagnose, offer a treatment plan and rehabilitate your lower limb or foot illness, injury, or pain.

Using the best standards of care, all our mhealth podiatrists use the most current equipment and technology to precisely examine, diagnose, and then provide a treatment plan for your condition.

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Our Podiatrists

Podiatrists are specialised in dealing with the diagnosis, rehabilitation, treatment and prevention measures of the lower limbs and feet. Our podiatrists possess an extensive skill-set to assist with any problem linked to the area of the feet and the lower limbs. 

Here at mhealth podiatry, we are focused on offering the highest standards of care with the use of modern equipment and state-of-the-art technology to assess, diagnose, as well as treat all types of conditions with accuracy.

Podiatry care at mhealth

At mhealth, we not only take care of your feet; we take care of your whole body as well. We do biomechanical assessments, computerised gait analysis, vascular assessment, neurological assessment, and even diabetes foot health assessment.

Your feet are your main source of support and transportation. Take good care of them, and don’t wait for the pain to strike.

The average person will walk between 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres every year. That equates to walking around the globe 4 times in your lifetime. Our feet are usually the last thing that we worry about, yet when something goes wrong and pain strikes, this area of the body can significantly impact your overall quality-of-life.

Our areas of practice include:

  • Corns and callouses (hard skin)
  • Thick or Long Nails
  • Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
  • Fungal Nails (Onychomycosis)
  • Cracked Heels (Fissures)
  • Warts (Verruca)
  • Cuts and Blisters
  • Splinters and Flaky/Dry Skin

A biomechanical assessment involves conducting a thorough assessment of the mechanics of the foot along with the biomechanics of the rest of the body. We examine running/walking gait patterns with the use of modern technology which helps us to diagnose why you are in pain. Our biomechanical assessments are not just for treating pain, but also to help athletes to improve their performance and to prevent future issues.

The biomechanical assessments involve examining the following:

  • Overall Posture
  • Foot Posture
  • Gait Cycle (running/walking pattern)
  • Lower Limb Mechanics
  • Muscle Tightness/Strength
  • Proprioception
  • Proprioception
  • Balance
  • Muscle Activation

The biomechanical assessments involve examining the following:

We also perform computerised-gait analyses with the use of GaitScan alongside our biomechanical assessments.

The TOG GaitScan™ is a highly innovative diagnostic digital-casting device and tool that provides a way to analyse the biomechanics of the patient and to order customised orthotic devices. This device features 4096 sensors along with a 300 frames-per-second scan rate, GaitScan™ is currently the leader in this industry when it comes to progressive scanning capabilities.

What does all of this mean for patients? This is an in-depth and new method to assess the gait cycle of the patient using a progressive scan that provides us with access to information that can’t be seen by the naked eye. More than 1 million data points are recorded, which helps to track even the smallest flaws in the patient’s biomechanics, which helps to shed light on the problems that may have gone untreated and then developed into very painful conditions into the future.

The TOG GaitScan™ is also an educational tool of high value that offers practitioners with a complete biomechanical analysis for every patient that they treat along with concise and clear images to articulate and assess whether there is a need for further orthotic therapy.

Regardless of the occasion, whether it involves sport, work or casual wear, the right footwear is often the initial step to achieve pain-free days. Foot issues often occur when a person is wearing ill-fitting shoes.

At mhealth Podiatry, we know that it is not always possible to wear perfectly suited shoes every day. Just about everyone wants casual footwear that still looks decent. We are able to prescribe casual footwear that still looks good and comes with the necessary features. We are also able to modify the shoes that you are currently wearing so they feel more comfortable and supportive when you wear them.

If you would like to optimise your athletic performance, we can advise you on the right sport-specific shoes to wear. Today, there are several variations when it comes to runners. These range from supportive and traditional runners to the low profile, minimalist runner. Choosing shoes should involve more than just using your footprint as a guide. This is the reason why at mhealth we conduct a thorough biomechanical analysis to decide on the most appropriate shoes to match up to your activities.

Today there are many types of orthotics to choose from. These include those that are sold over-the-counter in chemists to orthotics that are custom-designed.

We also stock a range of OTS (Off-The-Shelf) orthotics that will be fitted by your podiatrist to treat specific types of foot conditions. OTS orthotics are fairly limited when it comes to functional correction, yet they are still useful to treat bio-localised foot discomfort or pain. OTS orthotics are typically not an option when the person is experiencing pain in a leg or when the person has feet that function differently.

The custom-designed orthotics are very functional devices that are made individually to fit your feet. These are known as the “gold standard” in association with orthotic therapy. They are commonly used for controlling excessive motion in the way of helping to stabilise and align the feet, along with improving control and muscle activity in the lower area of the legs.

Before a podiatrist prescribes either Custom or OTS orthotics, we usually conduct a comprehensive GaitScan analysis and biomechanical assessment to establish the precise levels of correction that is needed, along with when these corrections are needed in the patient’s gait cycle.

Depending on the design for the orthotic that is required, we will use the GaitScan pressure-plate to perform a digital scan of your feet or use a3D scanner to take casts from each foot. This is needed to manufacture an orthotic that fits your feet perfectly.

We often use padding or strapping (tape) to a foot or the feet which lowers excessive motion while supporting the overall structure of the foot. This approach can assist with mimicking how an orthotic would work. This treatment mode assists with relieving acute injuries, along with dealing with abnormal underlying biomechanics.

The padding comes in various forms, from fleecy web and swan foam to semi-compressed felt. The taping techniques that we use include flexible Kinesio Tape or sports tape which is more rigid. We also offer hypoallergenic tape for people that have sensitive skin.

Diabetes is currently the fastest-growing chronic disease in Australia. It has been estimated that around 280 Australians develop this condition daily. It has also been predicted that by 2031, more than 3.3 million Australians will be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

Up to 60% of the Type 2 Diabetes cases is something that could be prevented. A decrease in the overall prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes could result in an improved health outcome along with quality-of-life for many Australians.

People that have diabetes are able to drastically lower the risks associated with developing a diabetes-related foot complication with an annual neurovascular assessment and regular screening.

Diabetes often reduces the sensation in a person’s feet and it can impair normal blood supply. This often results in chronic foot-ulcerations, which when left untreated may even result in having to have the foot amputated.

Podiatrists have the training and skillset to conduct foot-health screenings along with performing diabetes neurovascular assessments. These results are then sent to the general practitioner of the patient. These tests can detect changes to sensation or the blood supply, which can assist the doctor in managing the condition appropriately before it becomes too late.

As the 6th leading cause of deaths in Australia, diabetes is a condition that once diagnosed the patient cannot afford to let their condition go unchecked.

Diabetes is one of those conditions that not only leads to amputations and ulcerations of the feet or lower limbs. Peripheral Arterial Disease or Peripheral Vascular Disease occurs when the patient’s peripheral arteries become compromised. Venous insufficiency (chronic) involves a condition whereby the veins are no longer able to pump sufficient amounts of blood back towards the heart.

Podiatrists also have the skills to perform these vascular assessments. These tests assess the arterial supply of the patient with the use of a Doppler ultrasound. This device supplies imaging of arterial forms inside the feet.

Our podiatrists also perform ABPI (Ankle/Brachial Pressure Index) tests, along with TPI (Toe Pressure Index) tests. The TPI and ABPI tests assist with determining circulation throughout the body, and more specifically in the feet.

There are also manual and visual tests performed that indicate how the venous system is performing when it comes to returning blood flow back into the heart.

Pain experienced in the lower regions of the limbs can also be referred. This means that the pain could be coming from elsewhere, especially the back (more specifically the lower back).

The lower back, known as the lumbar spine contains nerve roots that directly supply the feet and lower limbs. For this reason, it’s important to know that pain in the feet could be caused by nerve irritation or damage from higher up.

Podiatrists also perform different neurological tests which include reflex hammers, monofilaments, and tuning forks. Other common assessments include activities that test the patient’s proprioception, muscle activation, and balance.

Podiatrists can directly refer to a radiologist for Ultrasounds or X-rays of the ankle or foot where you are able to claim a Medicare rebate. This helps to avoid having to see your physician as well.

There are a lot of different pathologies that affect the feet, that are diagnosed when using these types of imaging modalities. X-rays are used for identifying bunion progression, stress fractures, or accessory bones. Ultrasounds are often used for diagnosing tendon and ligament damage, bursitis, and neuromas.

Other assessments and clinical examinations are usually sufficient to diagnose what is causing your pain. Yet when your painful condition isn’t responding to treatment, your podiatrist will usually refer for this type of diagnostic imaging.

When it comes to toenail fungal infections, many organisms can be responsible for this condition. Depending on how the nail or nails are affected, an over-the-counter topical treatment is usually enough. However, in certain cases whereby the fungal infection is severe, a nail scraping will be taken and then sent inside a specimen jar to pathology to identify the organism. This provides a way to accurately prescribe the medication needed to eliminate the fungus.

Heel Balm- Dermal – This is a heel balm that works well for any person that suffers from cracked or dry heels. When applied daily, the results can often be seen in a few short days. This balm is greasy and is usually only needed when a person suffers from cracking or dry skin.

Foot Cream – This is a urea-based cream which is a far better choice for people who do not require a greasy and aggressive heel balm and simply require hydration for their feet daily in the months of summer or from time-to-time.

Spikey Ball – This is a fantastic tool that allows for self-myofascial mobilisation/release of your foot. This is one of the treatment additives that is commonly required for a host of podiatric complaints.

Gel Toe Caps – These are toe covers that feature gel-inners which assists with buffering the pressure caused by tight-fitting shoes or to help prevent blisters or problematic callous and corns.

Toe Spaces – This is an option that is frequently used for people that suffer from pain and discomfort caused by overcrowding of the feet inside the person’s shoes. Tight shoes and bunions will result in the toes rubbing which can lead to interdigital callous and corns. For these conditions, toe spaces are an effective measure to try.

Bunion Sleeve – This device works in a similar way to the other types of buffering devices which helps to relieve the pain that is caused by a bony prominence of the bunion along with restrictive and tight shoes.

Heel Guard – These devices provide protection to the back part of the heel from problematic rubbing and blisters that are caused often by high-heel shoes or sports.

Socks – We stock a range of different socks which include circulation socks that are mainly used for flying, running socks with support and compression, seamless diabetic socks that are excellent for high-risk patients, breathable achilles support socks, toe-protection golf socks, and pilates socks with soles that come with a grip.

Physiotherapists Mentone | mhealth Physio & Pilates Mentone

Your go-to podiatrists

Why us at mhealth?

At mhealth, our podiatrists are equipped with the latest technology and knowledge in podiatric medicine and therapeutics, allowing us to treat your foot and posture problems thoroughly and effectively. In addition to our years of experience, we leverage cutting edge technology along with the latest breakthroughs in podiatric care to bring you unparalleled healing and wellness. The average person walks between 8,000 and 10,000 kilometres a year. Yet, most people take their feet for granted and are surprised to find when one morning they are unable to walk without wincing from pain.

At the first sign of a foot discomfort, think of mhealth. We will diagnose, treat and rehabilitate your feet from pain and injuries as quickly as possible so can be active and productive again. Call us today!