[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Your Medical History & Medications” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2759″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]When you visit us at NSFC because we need to assess the condition of your feet, ankles, or lower legs, our podiatrists also need to review your medical history including your medications, allergies, listen to your concerns, and perform a physical examination in order to diagnose and safely provide treatment for your foot, ankle and/or lower leg ailments.
Our podiatrists must know what medications you are currently taking (including over-the-counter and herbal preparations) to be able to conduct a full assessment and provide you with comprehensive foot care.
Patients sometimes think certain medications are unrelated to their foot diagnosis. Remember, all medications are important in understanding your overall health.
We therefore advise that you keep a list of all your medications and allergies when you attend for an appointment with us.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Careful Inspection at Every Visit” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2762″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]Some patients are often unaware of other health issues initially presenting in the foot and/or lower limb.
At every visit, careful inspection of your feet will always be carried out after you have removed shoes and socks. This is an important part of podiatric assessment and related care, as observation skills often provide immediate insight to the patient’s presenting problem.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”General Foot Care & Nail Surgery” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2771″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]General foot care is important for all ages. General foot care services may include podiatric management of corns, callous, nail problems, tinea pedis, plantar warts, etc. Minor nail surgical procedures can also be performed for the treatment of an ingrown toenail.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”All Ages & Activities” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2760″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]
To assist with mobility complaints of all ages, our services include assessment and management of sports-related injury; balance problems in the elderly; children’s lower leg and foot concerns; and footwear education.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Biomechanical Assessment & Gait” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2767″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]Podiatrists are highly trained in the treatment of lower limb musculoskeletal dysfunction.
A podiatric biomechanical assessment is an investigation into your lower limb function – the way the lower limb and foot moves, inclusive of the muscles and soft tissues as well as the anatomical structure and movement of the bones and joints.
A full biomechanical assessment involves both static assessment, which includes non-weight bearing anatomical examination, muscle testing, weight bearing lower limb posture assessment; and dynamic assessment comprising gait analysis.
Our podiatrists may prescribe stretching exercises, functional foot orthoses, and specialist footwear advice to enable effective rehabilitation of your symptoms.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Orthoses” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2773″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]An orthosis is defined as “a device utilised to assist, resist, facilitate, stabilize or improve range of motion and functional capacity”; and prescription-made foot orthoses are custom made to address the pathomechanical features of a foot condition that may be structural or functional in nature.
Orthoses have been successfully used to treat a variety of foot conditions. Our podiatrists will take a neutral cast of your feet to fabricate your device. The podiatrist will take into account your biomechanical data from assessment, shoe size and type, age, weight, activity level, occupation, diagnosis, any previous orthotic use, and any history of systemic diseases that have lower limb clinical indications.
Because of so many patient variables, the type of foot orthoses we may prescribe can range from simple cushioned insoles, prefabricated, flexible functional orthoses, EVA, accommodative, semi-rigid to rigid orthoses. All of our orthoses are therefore customised to meet the needs of each particular patient.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Footwear Assessment & Advice” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2774″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]Footwear plays an important role in the maintenance of foot health and has a vital role for people with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes and other conditions affecting the health status of the lower limb. It is known that footwear has been found to be a precipitating cause of trauma.
Our podiatrists can advise you on appropriate footwear as they have expert knowledge of footwear construction, can accurately assess the fit and suitability of your shoes, and can assist you with other footwear options available to better treat your foot-related conditions.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Children’s Foot Health” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2769″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]Children’s foot conditions are a normal cause of parental concern and our podiatrist’s can help to explain common foot problems seen in children as well as provide possible solutions.
It is important to note that foot and ankle pain can be a common issue in this age group which should be investigated, but are often linked to skeletal maturity and will also be reasonably specific to the age of the child. For example, pes planus (flat feet) is a common presenting problem in children up to 7 years of age, but the majority of children will be asymptomatic, with parental concern being the presenting complaint.
Our podiatrists consistently therefore use evidence-based practice to ensure that children receive only those interventions that are demonstrably beneficial and clinically necessary.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Diabetes Foot Care” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2893″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]When you have diabetes you need to take care of your feet every day. Our services include vascular and neurological screening as well as diabetes-related education and related referral where required.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lower Limb Circulation” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2784″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]People with poor circulation to their feet are at an increased risk of developing foot ulceration and non-healing lesions that could lead to infection, gangrene and amputation. At the very least, routine lower limb vascular screening is necessary for those over the age of 65 years, or over 50 years with diabetes or a history of smoking.
The role of Doppler Ultrasound in detecting arterial insufficiencies is considered an essential part of the assessment process – it is a practical, non-invasive screening tool. Two main pulse sites are commonly used by podiatrists during vascular assessment, the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries.
Being able to identify patients’ with poor circulation at an early stage is a significant component of podiatric care, as early detection can enable early intervention and prompt appropriate referral to a specialist.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Screening for Loss of Sensation ” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2891″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]Loss of protective sensation (LOPS) is a major risk factor for developing diabetic / neuropathic foot ulcers and these ulcers can unfortunately lead to amputation. Neuropathy causes a loss of protective sensation in the feet, increasing the risk of skin breakdown over the weight bearing surfaces.
In our clinic, monofilament testing of both feet is conducted with patients who have one or both of the following:
- a diagnosis of diabetes and / or a diabetic ulcer.
- numbness, tingling, burning or a “crawling” sensation in one or both feet.
Lower limb assessment and monofilament testing for LOPS are two assessments which are sensitive in identifying patients at risk for developing a foot ulcer. Early detection of reduced sensation can therefore help lower the incidence of these diabetic and neuropathic ulcers and is crucial to effective podiatric care.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Diagnostic Imaging Referral” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2768″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]
Our podiatrists may need to refer you for diagnostic scans dependant on your presenting complaint and clinical history. Imaging can play a major role in determining causes of foot pain and dysfunction, particularly in the assessment of musculoskeletal pathology of the lower limb. Certain scans will be eligible for a limited Medicare Rebate.
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