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OUR PAEDIATRIC CLINIC IS BACK!

SECURE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 2020 ~ call 5223 1531

  • 15 minute assessment with one of our expert podiatrists
  • Held on the last Wednesday of every month
  • Age limit ~ 6 years old and under
  • During Covid-19 we are asking that only 1 carer attends appointments
  • Please arrive on time to help our paediatric clinic run on time
  • Gold coin donation to ‘Kids plus foundation’ is welcomed
  • Call 5223 1531 today!

 

FEET AND ANKLE INJURY FREE -WHILST SMASHING OUT HIIT SESSIONS

Due to the nature of HIIT (high intensity interval training), certain stresses may be placed on the feet and ankles, especially if this is a new form of exercise for you.

It is important to build the strength in your legs prior to engaging in HIIT training, as movements are often rapid and repetitious. It can place excessive pressure on your joints if your HIIT workouts are too frequent, and you do ‘too much too soon’, like many other activities. There are specific modifications that your trainer may be able to suggest if you have any concerns. Correct technique is crucial, so it is necessary for you and your trainer to be on top of this, to avoid injury.
Should you develop an injury, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Be sure to wear appropriate footwear. When buying athletic footwear for your HIIT workout, stick with a ‘neutral’ shoe, unless it has been otherwise suggested by your health professional.
The shoe should have a firm heel counter (doesn’t fold right down if you try to push it with your fingers). The shoe should have a moderate amount of cushioning (without it being too heavy), for good shock attenuation to reduce the amount of force on the feet and legs. The softer the outer sole however, the faster it will compress, which we want to avoid.

If you do not feel as you are being adequately ‘supported’ or have enough cushioning, try altering your footwear. If this doesn’t change anything, there may be other things that your Podiatrist can manage or educate you with.

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

MEET THE FRONT DESK TEAM @ TOTAL CARE PODIATRY

At Total Care Podiatry our front desk team guides your first steps into the care we strive to give all our patients.

Our office manager Emily Meek and her team of Suzy Purtill and Kate Wombwell many years experience of service in private health practice. Their care and attention to detail is focused on our patients’ needs.

Our Practice Manager, Rae-Ellen Graham has worked for over 30 years in administration management and is also our shoe fitter and orthotic technician.

AFTERPAY IS HERE!

Shop now, pay it in 4!

Love AfterpayWe‘ve got it!  No waiting for treatment, Afterpay has it covered and you pay it back fortnightly.

Same day orthotic service available.

Pay for your purchase over 4 easy instalments, with an interest-free payment schedule from Afterpay. You’ll receive handy notifications when your payment is close to due and no fees when you pay on time

Afterpay – Shop now. Wear now. Pay later. Interest-free!*

Afterpay offers interest-free payment plans for your purchases online and in-store. Buy and receive what you want today and pay it off in four instalments fortnightly.

To make a purchase using Afterpay you will need:

  • A debit or credit card
  • To be over 18 years of age
  • An Australian residential address

Before your visit to our practice:

  • Download the Afterpay app.
  • Sign in or follow the steps to create your Afterpay account.*
  • Make sure to add your payment details.
  • The front desk girls will then simply scan the barcode prior to the purchase being completed.

*A brief pre-approval process may be required and you may be asked to provide your Drivers License or Medicare card to verify your identity.

* If a payment is due from you but not received by Afterpay in accordance with the payment schedule, a $10 late payment fee will be charged, with a further $7 late payment fee added seven days later if the payment remains unpaid.

#AFTERPAYIT

For more information about Afterpay terms and conditions, visit the Afterpay website.

https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU/index

 

MEET PODIATRIST & OWNER – PAUL GRAHAM

Paul has been a podiatrist in private practice since 1987 with a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions. He is a fellow of the Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and has recently become the first podiatrist admitted as a member of the Pain Society of Australia.

The focus of his practice has always been on comprehensive, evidence based examination and diagnosis of the underlying causes of presenting symptoms, to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient.

Paul is also a trainer of Clinical Plantar Pressure Analysis, teaching practitioners in many countries around the world how to use plantar pressure technology effectively in clinical practice.

If you wish for Paul Graham to speak at your next event please call 5223 1531 to arrange a time.

YES – WE ARE STILL OPEN!

Total Care Podiatry is still open!

Our friendly reception staff are available to take your call Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

PH: 5223 1531

Podiatrists, Paul Graham and Rachel Vale are available Tues-Thurs for all your podiatry needs

PREGNANCY AND YOUR FEET

Production of hormones during pregnancy have enormous effects on your feet. The most significant change to feet during pregnancy is relaxation of ligaments which may cause ankle and foot instability and bit you at a greater injury risk

·Weight gain which is an obvious expectation during pregnancy puts a greater load through feet and lower legs

·There is also a centre of gravity shift as your baby grows which alters posture of not only your body but your feet!

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

INGROWN NAIL SURGERY

Nail surgery is a common procedure performed by most podiatrists to effectively treat an ingrown toenail: a nail that has pierced (or is pressing against) the adjacent skin of the toe causing pain and inflammation and sometimes infection.

Conditions this service treats

Surgery may be required when an ingrown toenail repeatedly gets infected, is continually painful, when the patient is unable to wear shoes or the condition inhibits work, sporting or other activities.

Before surgery is recommended, your podiatrist will explore other, more conservative treatment options.

How does the treatment work?

A ‘Partial Nail Avulsion’ (known as a PNA or nail root and matrix resection) is a minor nail procedure performed under local anaesthetic. The offending portion of the nail is gently lifted and trimmed away, generally without the toe being cut or stitched. Both sides or the entire nail may be removed this way. A chemical may also be used, at this point, to assist in preventing nail regrowth.

Prior to ingrown nail surgery your podiatrist will conduct a complete assessment, taking a medical history, a list of any medications that have been prescribed for you, as well as considering any other clinical factors that will determine whether or not this surgery is suited to you. An assessment will generally also include an examination of blood supply to the foot.

What are the benefits of this treatment

Ingrown nail surgery aims to permanently treat ingrown toenails The procedure is performed in the podiatrists’ rooms and takes around one hour. You will be able to walk immediately afterwards, however, you will need to have someone take you home after the procedure.

As with any surgical procedure there is some risk of complication, however, this procedure is known to be very safe and effective.
The most common side-effects are post-operative infection, in the short term, and the possibility of regrowth of the nail over time. The risks of infection can be minimised through good post-operative care and your podiatrist will advise and assist with your after surgery care.

WARNING
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

EXPERIENCING PAIN IN YOUR ANKLES, KNEES OR HIPS? 

EXPERIENCING PAIN IN YOUR ANKLES, KNEES OR HIPS?

At Total Care Podiatry the podiatrist will ascertain what dysfunction is occurring in your feet, how this is interacting with the muscles in your back, pelvis and legs and will see what areas in your lifestyle may be placing you at risk of continuing the injury. We will also work together with other health professionals involved in your care to achieve a long term solution.

Your knees and hips are the largest joints in your body. They are responsible for supporting your weight as you stand and walk. If you are experiencing chronic pain in your hips, knees, or even in your lower back, shoulders and neck, there may be a connection between this pain and the way your feet function.

Walking is good for you, right? Absolutely. But beware of poor walking habits that can cause or exacerbate knee and hip problems. On the positive side, however, a safe and smart walking regime can help improve joint problems, not to mention how good it is for your overall health.

KNEE PAIN

Watch your feet. If you are prone to foot problems, such as hypermobile feet (when the joints in and around the feet move more than they should) or  fallen arches caused by over pronation, your gait may be compromised. And this change can cause unnecessary stress on the knees, resulting in painful injuries.

The knee is made to bend only in one direction—facing straight forward.  When the foot over-pronates, the leg rotates inward toward the opposite leg. This causes the knee to flex and extend while pointing inward and not in the normal direction, which puts stress on the knee.

People who suffer from osteoarthritis pain have worn cartilage on the inside (medial) area of their knee joint. Research is being done to determine how walking differently can help manage this pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, studies are finding that pointing your toes slightly outwards (about 7°) when you walk will shift pressure to the outside (lateral) part of the knee, relieving the pain radiating from the inside of your knee joint.

RUNNER’S KNEE (which is not exclusive to runners!) is identified by a throbbing pain on your kneecap. The impact of your foot hitting the ground causes your kneecap to rub against the femur bone. If you have a misaligned kneecap or previous injury, your knees are more vulnerable. Other causes are weak thigh muscles, soft knee cartilage, or flat feet.

HIP PAIN

Pain from bursitis is felt on the outside of your hip, whereas arthritis is felt on the inner hip near your groin. Relief from each requires different walking treatments.

Repetitive stress (including excess walking or running) can cause the bursa that cushions your hip to become inflamed. Another cause of bursitis is exercising without proper warm-ups and cool downs, which are a vital part of any program. You need to follow a very slow walking regime when recovering from a bout of bursitis. This involves gradually increasing the frequency and length of your walks.

As with osteoarthritis in general, the cause of hip arthritis can be genetic. It can be a hereditary or a congenital problem with an improperly formed hip joint. Hip arthritis can also develop from an injury or trauma to the hip area, or stress from excess weight or activity.

The problems caused by over pronation, which were discussed for knee pain, are also true for the hip joint. When the foot pronates, the leg rotates inward and the hip can become unaligned. This condition puts stress on the hip and on the entire leg muscles.

HOW TO HELP YOUR ANKLES, KNEES AND HIPS

Any problem with the foot or ankle resulting in a compromised posture or gait can lead to knee and hip pain. Examples of common foot problems that can lead to poor posture and irregular walking patterns include:

  • Plantar fasciitis, which can lead to chronic heel pain and/or arch pain
  • Nerve pain or numbness in the foot (such as neuromas and tarsal tunnel syndrome)
  • Bunions and bunionettes (big-toe versus little-toe side, respectively)
  • Excessive foot  pronation (rolling in) or  supination (rolling out)

When you experience pain and you are diagnosed with a dysfunction in the foot or ankle, it may be possible to reduce the knee and hip pain by improving foot function, using proper footwear and orthotic insoles.

A Harvard medical school health publication advises that exercise is an important treatment for arthritis. It improves the strength and function of the afflicted area(s).

In many cases, a moderate walking plan is recommended to alleviate such pain. It is considered a low impact activity that strengthens the supporting muscles, relieving the pressure on the joint. Be sure to walk on a smooth, soft surface such as a track or treadmill. Your doctor or physical therapist can advise how much walking is best for you. An extra bonus is walking will help with weight loss, which takes some stress off your joints.

When you compensate for pain by limping or walking with an abnormal gait, other joints can suffer wear and tear. Your rheumatologist, orthopedic doctor or physical therapist can help determine if changing your walking gait could help reduce pain. Many PTs will video patients as they walk on a treadmill and then review their walking habits to determine what pain reduction improvements can be made. You can make a conscience effort to minimize limping by holding your body straight without swaying and maintaining and even stride.

THE RIGHT SHOE REGIME

Healthy shoes play a significant role in knee and hip pain management. Here are a few tips on the importance of wearing good shoes.

  • Never wear heels over two inches high. Heels increase the risk of knee joint degeneration.
  • However, not all flat shoes are good for your feet. Flats that do not provide any arch support can lead to knee, hip, and back pain.
  • Get the right fit. Tight shoes can cause limping from foot pain. Oversized shoes can also impair your gait. Either way, you’ll be putting unnecessary stress on your knees and hips.
  • Stability sneakers provide cushioning and help control over pronation. They also relieve the ball of the foot, which helps arthritic pain in the hip, knee, foot or ankle.
  • Replace your shoes as needed. When the supporting cushioning becomes worn, it is no longer helpful.
  • If knee or hip pain is due to your foot function, the proper footwear along with orthotic insoles can be a very effective way to relieve symptoms.
  • Invest in quality shoes that are specifically made for your condition. Total Care Podiatry provides the ability to browse shoe selections that meet your needs.

At Total Care Podiatry the podiatrist will ascertain what dysfunction is occurring in your feet, how this is interacting with the muscles in your back, pelvis and legs and will see what areas in your lifestyle may be placing you at risk of continuing the injury. We will also work together with other health professionals involved in your care to achieve a long term solution.

WARNING
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

WALKING/RUNNING MORE THAN EVER SINCE YOUR GYM CLOSED? We Can Help You Move While You Wait!

HIP & LEG ASSESSMENTS NOW AVAILABLE 

IN CLINIC OR VIA TELEHEALTH

When you see a heath professional for back pain, do they remark how your ‘pelvis is rotated’ or ‘out’?

Does the treatment only give short term relief before the pain is back again?

It may be that you have a difference in leg length or the alignment of your pelvis is abnormal.

Maybe you’ve had an injury which has resulted in one leg bone being shorter than the other. Alternatively, if the pelvic misalignment is more than mild, it may be caused by a structural back condition called scolosis.

Also, a total hip or knee replacement can result in a shortening of one leg. This can be significant when combined with how your body adapted before the surgery and how it then adapts again after surgery.

Walking should be a fluid motion from the time the heel hits the ground to the point where we step forward and off the foot. Sometimes, if the forefoot and especially the big toe joint becomes jammed, the forward movement is momentarily blocked, forcing other joints to compensate.

The repetition of every step you take is enough to place strain and stress on the muscles and joints leading to inflammation and increased risk of injury.

If you experience back pain and/or pain and fatigue it is important that you have the alignment of your lower limbs and feet analysed to ensure there are no abnormalities that could be contributing to this pain.

HOW DOES THIS TREATMENT WORK?

If your pelvis is misaligned or you have a difference in leg length, each step is going to place a little more pressure on one side than the other, forcing the joints and muscles to compensate, 4,000 times a day for each leg!

At Total Care Podiatry, we analyse these misalignments to make sure you are as straight as possible.

We then measure any misalignments with:

  • Plantar Pressure analysis to measure the amount and timing of pressure underneath your feet in walking and standing. We use our pressure plate to note asymmetry between the pressure on one side to the pressure on the other
  • A digital pelvic inclinometer (DPI). This equipment has only been available in Australia since early 2015 and the research has shown it to be very accurate. Using the DPI we can better understand why the difference is there and how much is from your pelvis, leg and foot and the compensations and adaptations that have occurred over time.
  • Treadmill analysis. To see how your body functions with in-shoe corrections we have you comfortably walking on our state of the art treadmill, that has an inbuilt plantar pressure plate. This allows us to examine how your pelvis functions dynamically. We also note symmetry in your stride, and as your body moves up and down with each step, by assessing the differences using the plantar pressure data.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS TREATMENT?

A hip and leg assessment provides objective information which can be compared to results after we implement a treatment plan. We also advise your back health professional on our treatment and ask them to monitor it at your next treatments. Working closely with them, we aim to give you the very best chance of having a long lasting solution to greater mobility.

TELEHEALTH

Total Care Podiatry now has a ‘TELEHEALTH’ option if you are unable to leave your home.

As a community service at this time we have made available three FREE TeleHealth consultations per week.

Call 5223 1531 to book

Using the secure Physitrack software our podiatrists will be able to provide online:

  • a video conference for you to explain your concerns and receive clinical advice,  and, if required
  • an exercise and rehabilitation program of video demonstrations within the Physitrack App.

This will enable us to begin or adjust your treatment plan from the comfort of your own home with subsequent face to face appointments occurring as required.

The billing for these will be the same as usual for NDIS and Veterans. For patients with a Chronic Diseases Management plan (for Medicare rebates) we are able to bulk bill with a new Item number provided by Medicare. For private patients the Fee is $30. Please give us a call  on 5223 1531 to discuss your situation.

If you have any questions,  concerns or special requirements please give us a call on 5223 1531 and we’ll do our best to help you.

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.