NDIS podiatry SA Podiatrists are highly trained specialists. They study the bones, muscles and ligaments that support your feet and ankles – their functioning together for movement – and any illnesses or injuries they might be susceptible to.
Podiatrists specialise in podiatric healthcare and practice across various healthcare settings, from private to group medical practices.
Neuromas
Neuromas are painful foot conditions caused by pinched nerves. More prevalent among women, neuromas can produce sharp burning pain that tingles or causes numbness in the ball of the foot or between toes. Conservative methods usually suffice, while surgery may become necessary in severe cases.
Diagnosis for an injured nerve typically relies on its history and physical examination; CT/MRI scans or X-rays are rarely necessary as the diagnosis is usually clinical. On occasion, however, an MRI or CT scan may reveal a well-defined soft tissue mass associated with an injured nerve – commonly not an actual tumour but more of an accumulation of epineural adipose and fibrous tissue encasing it; alternatively, this could be a true neuroma such as neural fibrolipoma or an Acoustic Neuroma; also called neural fibrolipoma; Ganglioneuroma or Nerve Sheath Myxoma.
Conservative treatment options for neuromas include custom orthotic devices with metatarsal pads, shoe modifications (such as widening of toe box and insert use), activity modification to avoid repetitive pressure on the nerve, using ice to reduce inflammation and numb the nerve, injection of local anaesthetic and cortisone can be helpful to both as treatment and diagnostic tool; individual response to such therapies varies.
Hammertoes
Hammer toes are caused by a muscle imbalance that forces your lesser toe bones into an abnormal curved position, most commonly in your second and fifth toes (known as lesser digits). They are often the result of wearing shoes without enough room or genetic predisposition.
Most hammertoes are flexible and don’t cause any discomfort, but if left untreated, they may become rigid, leading to pain and corns or calluses from rubbing against shoes.
If your hammertoe remains flexible, podiatric treatments such as removing calluses and corns or splinting the toe may temporarily relieve symptoms. Altering footwear to have deep toe boxes that fit comfortably may also assist while avoiding high heels that limit toe movement is vital. Finally, considering injections of corticosteroids directly into affected joints may provide long-term solutions.
Depending on the severity and rigidity of your hammertoe, surgery may be required to correct it. Various surgical options could be implemented depending on their severity and degree of rigidity; one popular procedure is Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Fusion, which fuses two bones within your foot to straighten out your toe joint by joining them together in one piece.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails form when corners or sides of a nail dig into the surrounding skin, often leading to pain and discomfort before eventually becoming infected. A podiatrist must schedule an appointment at the first sign of ingrown toenail discomfort. Infection may lead to severe complications – particularly among people with diabetes or poor circulation.
Podiatrists offer several methods for treating ingrown toenails, depending on the severity. For example, an injection may numb the toe or finger before using tools such as a syringe, nail clipper, or anvil to remove the offending nail edge and surrounding skin gently. Laser or electrosurgery may also be employed to destroy any dead tissue and prevent infections.
Suppose home treatments don’t work or the ingrown toenail recurs frequently. In that case, your podiatrist can perform partial nail avulsion with penalisation – a minor surgical procedure that permanently removes offending nail edges under local anaesthetic. Once this procedure has occurred, phenol is applied directly to its root to stop future growth – with excellent success rates reported from such systems as treating recurrent ingrown toenails.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes increases their risk for foot ulcers and infections that could require amputation due to poor circulation and nerve damage in their feet. Hence, people with diabetes are at increased risk for diabetic neuropathies resulting in neuropathies that lead to diabetes-induced neuropathies in their feet. People with diabetes often do not notice wounds and sores that arise, particularly if they suffer from neuropathy. NDIS podiatry SA Podiatrists provide routine foot care services and monitor patients for potential issues. If an infection develops, a podiatrist will treat the wound with antibiotics and may recommend inserting a leg cast or surgical dressing. Following injury, changing shoe gear is crucial; Medicare Part B covers one pair of extra-depth diabetic shoes each year, plus inserts to reduce pressure on the foot.