There are a great many foot problems that podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat.

The following information presents a brief description of the more common foot disorders and the treatments available to effectively manage them.

Ingrown toenail

The initial podiatric treatment often includes a course of oral antibiotics and thesimple removal of the ingrowing section of nail under localanaesthetic. If necessary, permanent correction of the conditionmay be performed as a minor clinic procedure once the infectionhas settled. 

Hammer toe

Hammer toes are usually the result oftendon imbalances and often develop painful corns.

These may be treated conservatively by paring down thethickened skin over the boney prominences, or surgically bystraightening the involved toes. Hammer toes are often associatedwith bunion deformities. 

Bunions

Bunion deformities are common conditionsaffecting the big toe joint of the foot.

Often they are familial in nature and apart from beingcosmetically undesirable, they often cause difficulty in wearingshoes in comfort and eventually cause considerable pain as thejoint becomes more and more arthritic. The defintive treatmentfor a bunion deformity is surgery.

Modern surgical procedures produce minimal post-operativediscomfort and provide a good opportunity for lasting correctionof the deformity. Although bunions are best treated in theearlier stages of their development, effective treatment foradvanced cases is still possible. If necessary,  patients canusually have both feet corrected at the same time and arenormally able to walk in reasonable comfort in post-operativeshoes.

Neuromas

Neuromas are painful thickenings ofsensory nerves, usually present between the third and fourth toesof the foot.

Patients often report early symptoms of numbness and as thelesions develop, sharp, burning pain between the toes is common.The conservative treatment of neuromas, including injections orfoot orthoses, is usually effective; however the surgical removalof the thickened nerve section is often necessary.

Heel pain

There are a number of possible causes ofheel pain, including injury, infection, arthritis and soft tissueinflammation of tendons or ligamentous-like structures around theheel.

The most common causes include plantar fasciitis / heel spurs,Achilles tendonitis in adults, and osteochondritis (Sever’sdisease) of the heel in children. Each condition needs to beaccurately diagnosed and treated appropriately.  Early diagnosisand treatment is important to avoid the condition from developinginto a chronic disabling one.

Treatment is usually very successful and usually consists ofrest, foot strapping, gentle stretching exercises,anti-inflammatories and the use of prescription foot orthoses. Onrare occasions, surgery may be indicated when the heel pain failsto respond to conservative care. 

Warts

Warts are a viral infection in theepidermal layers of the skin, and are thought to be transmissiblethrough direct contact or by walking barefooted in communal poolsor showers.

Warts may spread and grow in size to press on nerve endings inthe skin to become quite painful. Their removal may befacilitated by the use of ‘wart-paints’ availablefrom any pharmacy, or may be frozen off or surgically curetted asan office procedure. 

Fungal nails 

Toenails infected withfungi appear thickened, discoloured and are often a source ofembarrassment to the patient.

Such conditions may be associated with athlete’s foot ortinea, and may be treated by removal of the affected nailsection/s and the application of topical or oral antifungalmedication.

Flat feet 

Flat feet are normal in children but bythe time a child reaches school age their feet should look andfunction normally.

Flat or ‘pronated’ feet for the most part shouldbe considered abnormal and are the cause of a great many foot andleg complaints, including bunions, hammer-toes, plantar fasciitisand shin pain. 

If you are concerned about your children’s feet or yourown, a podiatric examination is recommended. Postural footproblems can often be helped with prescription foot orthoses.

Foot orthoses 

Foot orthoses, often referred to as‘arch supports’ are frequently used in podiatry tomanage a variety of structural abnormalities and/or mechanicallyinduced foot, leg, knee and even low-back symptoms.

After a thorough medical and podiatric history, biomechanicaland gait examination, if required, orthoses are prescribedaccording to the individual’s foot structure andfunction.