Podiatry

This consultation is for those who are unsure whether they need a full biomechanical assessment and would like to chat first about their previous injury history of the lower limb and see what podiatry can offer them in the short and long term. During this session the podiatrist will recommend and explain an appropriate way of finding right fitting shoes whether for casual wearing or sports. This session can lead to a full biomechanical assessment if both parties find it necessary. This session is purely informative, no assessments are done on this appointment.

Biomechanics and gait analysis are two important concepts within the field of podiatry. Podiatrists use biomechanics and gait analysis to assess how the body's structure and movement patterns can affect foot function and overall lower limb health. Biomechanics examines how the alignment and function of the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints in the feet and lower limbs can influence overall posture and movement. Gait analysis is used to evaluate the biomechanics of a person's walk or movement and identify any abnormal movement patterns that may contribute to foot and lower limb problems.

Based on the findings you will be given a set of exercises to perform over a period of minimum 4 weeks. If findings from gait analysis indicate, you will be recommend insoles to help you with current pain or use them proactively to reduce the possibility of future injuries or improve your sport performance. If applicable the podiatrist will tape your lower limb using a kinesiology tape at the end of the session.

A podiatry review is a follow-up appointment or examination conducted by a podiatrist to assess the progress of a patient's treatment plan and to ensure that their foot and lower limb health is being effectively managed. The podiatry review is a crucial part of the ongoing care and management of various foot conditions and lower limb issues.

Orthotic fitting appointment is for applying the orthotics into your shoe and it is an opportunity to make any changes to the finished product. The podiatrist will explain the easiest way to get used to the orthotics as some cases the need to wear those will be constant and other times only sport related. After the fitting there will be a space to ask any further questions or if needed to book in for a review appointment to check on the pain reduction, increase the intensity of exercises or change the orthotic prescription as per placed management plan on your biomechanics assessment.

Mobilisation of the lower leg and foot involves techniques to move and mobilise the joints and bones adjacent to the foot to ease pain. Foot mobilisation can help to find more movement in the ankle joint, help activate the muscles in case of nerve impingement and reduce pain. Leg and foot massage involves work to relax the soft tissue in order to prepare the tissue for stress from sport performance and reduce the possibility of injury. This appointment is advised to be done minimum 48h before any sport activities to allow for the muscles to release all the toxins and the body to metabolise it before returning or training.