Podiatry is a specialised branch of allied health dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Our podiatrists are highly trained healthcare professionals who focus on ensuring the health and functionality of your feet, ankles, and lower extremities.
Whether you are seeking relief from foot pain, dealing with sports-related injuries, or managing chronic conditions such as diabetes that can impact foot health, our podiatry team is here to provide personalised and comprehensive care. From routine foot screening for people with diabetes to advanced treatments for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers and ingrown toenails, we are committed to enhancing your mobility and overall quality of life.
Our team includes podiatrists and podiatry assistants, providing services in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Foot Skin & Toenails Conditions
Skin conditions like corns, calluses and ingrown toenail may initially seem benign, they can lead to significant discomfort, impeding daily activities and diminishing overall quality of life.
Our specialised podiatry services encompass the diagnosis and treatment of persistent and painful skin and toenail conditions affecting the foot. This includes addressing issues like symptomatic corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails. Additionally, we offer toenail avulsion procedure as part of our podiatry care, specifically tailored for eligible patients dealing with ingrown toenails. This long-term solution is aimed at effectively managing and alleviating the discomfort associated with this painful condition.
Beyond treatment, we are dedicated to empowering our patients with education on self-management and prevention strategies for these conditions.
Musculoskeletal & Sporting Injuries
In the course of our daily life or sporting activities, injuries to the lower limbs, particularly the foot and ankle, often result from excessive strain on structures like muscles, tendons, or ligaments. This can be linked to irregularities in movement and function of the feet and lower limbs.
We address these conditions through thorough musculoskeletal and biomechanical examinations, including gait analysis and foot posture assessment. Our interventions encompass tailored solutions such as foot insoles, expert footwear advice, and the application of targeted padding and taping.
Diabetes Foot Management
Foot complications are a common concern for people with diabetes, stemming from compromised sensation and blood flow to the feet, leading to potentially severe outcomes like foot ulcers and amputations.
We offer comprehensive care aimed at preventing, monitoring, and addressing these issues. Through specialized diabetes foot screenings, we categorize feet into different risk levels and offer personalized foot care education. This empowers patients with the knowledge to actively prevent serious complications. When it comes to managing diabetes foot ulcers, our services encompass bedside wound debridement and the prescription of advanced wound dressings, including therapies like negative pressure wound therapy.
Additionally, we prescribe offloading devices to alleviate pressure on wounds, promoting efficient healing. Our collaborative efforts extend to working closely with orthopaedic and vascular surgeons, as well as endocrinologists, to optimize factors influencing wound healing, ensuring a holistic approach to diabetes foot management.
What treatment does podiatry provide?
Podiatry offers the following treatment:
- Wound management
- Provision of insoles
- Provision of offloading devices
- Strapping and padding of the foot
- Toenails and foot skin management, e.g., ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, warts
- Toenail avulsion procedure
- Diabetes foot screening
What can I expect from the appointment?
Depending on the nature of your visit, treatments may vary. For issues related to wounds, skin, and toenails, the podiatrist may employ precise techniques using sharp instruments to address issues like reducing corns and calluses or managing toenails. Rest assured, these procedures are typically minimally uncomfortable and generally do not require anaesthesia, except for toenail avulsion, which is conducted under local anaesthesia.
If your visit pertains to musculoskeletal issues, the session may include a thorough assessment involving physical movements. To facilitate this, it is recommended to dress comfortably, preferably in shorts or pants, allowing for ease of movement during the examination.
What do I need to bring to the appointment?
It would be beneficial to bring to your appointment the pair of shoes you most frequently wear, as a significant portion of the assessment and interventions may involve footwear considerations.
If you are seeking treatment for wound-related issues, please bring the wound care products you have been using to facilitate a more comprehensive evaluation.
How long is the appointment?
The duration of the appointment typically ranges between 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type of cases. Punctuality is highly encouraged, as the clinic operates on an appointment-only basis. It is crucial to arrive on time, as arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in missing the allocated time slot. In such cases, individuals might either be accommodated at the end of the session, depending on availability, or may need to be rescheduled for another day. This ensures that each patient receives the necessary attention and care within the designated time frame.
How can I shedule an appointment with a podiatrist?
- You will need to obtain a doctor’s referral to the podiatry department first.
- All outpatient podiatry sessions are available by appointment only.
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment for registration.
- To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our hospital appointment hotline (Tel: 6363 8000)
- Note that patients arriving late for appointments may be seen at our discretion or may need to be rescheduled.
