YOUR LOCAL PODIATRY SPECIALISTS

Helping you stay comfortable and mobile.

Take a look at the foot conditions we cover, and how we can support you with precise conservative treatment.

GENERAL ASSESSMENT & CARE

A general assessment is an easy and efficient way to ensure you have good foot health.

During your check up, we’ll evaluate the condition and health of your feet. If required, we’ll discuss how you can manage any pain points, share stretching exercises, discuss optimal footwear, and any other relevant care points. We’ll also advise whether any preventative treatments are required and schedule additional appointments if needed.


Annual general assessments are recommended for the whole family. However, they’re even more important for sporting individuals, people with existing foot conditions, or people “on their feet” for the majority of their work day.


Book Online

ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT

  • OVERVIEW

    Arthritic toe is also called hallux rigidus or frozen toe. Like the names suggest, it’s a condition characterised by stiffness and loss of motion in the first toe (or big toe). It’s actually a form of osteoarthritis that manifests as changes in the large joint at the base of the big toe (metatarsal phalangeal joint), and can include bony spurring and even loose bodies that impede joint movement and erode cartilage.


    Frozen toe can run in families, often presents in both feet, and is more common in females. It regularly occurs in people over 50 with flatter feet and tightness in their calves causing limited ankle movement. Significant pain can be associated with the limited movement of the big toe, but the limitation can also simply affect function in everyday and sporting activities. 

  • TREATMENT

    Conservative treatment of hallux rididus involves offloading the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint. This is accomodated through intrinsic muscle strengthening, joint manipulation and stretching, taping and strapping, and custom orthoses. 


    The goal of conservative treatment is to return function to the first toe and foot while minimising arthritic pain. It's important to note that, while conservative treatment can help, it won't reverse changes in the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint (this is why some patients opt for surgery).

FLAT FEET

  • OVERVIEW

    Flat foot is very common and caused by a collapsed arch. Most people only see minor effects and have this corrected in their early years with orthotics. However, sometimes a flat foot can limit activities, cause pain, and impact on quality of life. Issues associated with flat feet can manifest at any stage of life and usually involve the heel, big toe joint, or arch. If left untreated, a flat foot may lead to other ailments, such as bunions or tendon injury.

  • TREATMENT

    Often, conservative treatment is all that is needed to alleviate flat foot symptoms. Conservative care includes accommodation and support with shoe modification, custom orthoses, intrinsic muscles strengthening, as well as taping and strapping and more. 


    While the architecture of your foot cannot be corrected via conservative measures, comfort and function can be maximised without the need for surgical intervention. Dr Studdert can fully assess your feet to determine which treatment is best for you.

GAIT ANALYSIS & ORTHOSES

  • OVERVIEW

    "Gait" simply refers to the way a person walks. Understanding how you walk and move — and the impact this could have on your body and overall health — helps you resolve a range of health issues early on. An abnormal gait can be caused by parts of the lower limbs (such as the ankles or knees) underperforming, which can lead to imbalances elsewhere in the body when moving.


    A poor gait can lead to a range of health problems if left untreated. 

  • ANALYSIS

    During gait analysis, you will be asked to stand, walk and run on a treadmill and a normal floor. As you do this, your body’s movements are observed, measured, recorded and assessed. Then, we make a diagnosis, and treatments are prescribed for conditions which may be affecting your ability to walk, or are causing you recurring pain. 

  • ORTHOSES

    A gait causing issues can usually be treated with a custom orthosis. This is a kind of exterior leg brace worn for a period of time as determined by our Podiatrist. Your orthosis will be specifically deisgned to support and/or immobilise muscles, joints, or skeletal parts which are weak, ineffective, deformed, or injured.


    Depending on your gait analysis results, your treatment options may also include muscle strengthening, stretching, taping, low level laser therapy, extra corporeal shockwave therapy, corticosteroid injection, and more.

HEEL PAIN

  • OVERVIEW

    Heel pain is a broad term used to describe pain and discomfort in the bottom of the heel when engaging with weight bearing activities. It’s a complex condition that can be caused by bony prominences, soft tissue injury, or even nerve entrapment. Heel pain has a negative impact on both foot and general health on almost all Australians, regardless of age, sex, or body shape.


    A specific structure that is often implicated in heel pain is the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that stretches from the base of the heel to the bottom of the forefoot. This structure can become injured, tight, or torn, and the inflammation that accumulates as a result causes pain. 

  • TREATMENT

    Depending on the cause, some heel pain can be treated conservatively to reduce pain and increase function. It is important to consider conservative treatment before pursuing surgical options, because often conservative treatment can significantly alleviate symptoms and in some cases, resolve the condition.


    Conservative treatment of heel pain includes intrinsic muscle strengthening, stretching, taping, custom orthoses, low level laser therapy, extra corporeal shockwave therapy, corticosteroid injection, and more. There are many options available for the treatment heel pain and Dr Pocklington can fully assess your feet to determine which treatment is best for you.

ATHLETES FOOT

  • OVERVIEW

    Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection that usually begins between the toes. It commonly occurs in people whose feet have become very sweaty (e.g. during sporting activities) while confined within tight-fitting shoes. Signs and symptoms of the condition include an itchy, scaly rash. The condition is contagious and can be spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothing.


    Athlete's foot is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch.

  • TREATMENT

    Tinea pedis can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications. However, the infection often comes back, which is why it's imoprtant to have it assessed and treated by a Podiatrist. 


    We will advise you on the most effective treatment options — that are more likely to prevent it from reoccuring — and provide appropriate prescriptions. Prevention techniques will also be discussed.

PLANTAR WARTS

  • OVERVIEW

    A wart is a viral infection that can occur primarily in the top layers of skin. The infection manifests as small growths or bumps on the skin that are painful to squeeze and interrupt skin lines. Often small black dots will also be visible in the raised area. Warts are common in school-aged children, adolescents and the elderly. They can be problematic and painful on the bottom the toes, forefoot or heel — they’re also contagious and able to spread from one area to another on an individual or between individuals in close contact. 

  • TREATMENT

    Sometimes verruca will resolve, and given enough time, the body’s immune system may be able to fight the infection. Other times, it may be treated conservatively. 


    Conservative treatment of verruca involves debridement (removal) of the warty tissue through a variety of methods as well as temporary offloading to reduce pain. Debridement can include sharp (with a scalpel) and/or the use of chemical agents to remove the warty tissue over time. Simple sharp debridement can be performed in clinic and under local anaesthetic if necessary, but the procedure is not painful. The goal of conservative measures is the same as surgical intervention, but the process is slower and less reliable than surgical intervention. Several visits may be needed to achieve resolution of the infection and reduction of the verruca with conservative intervention. 

INGROWN NAILS

  • OVERVIEW

    An ingrown nail occurs when a toenail curves and penetrates the skin on the side of the nail.


    It is a common foot problem and can be very painful. Once a nail has cut the side of the toe, the wound can be infected leading to further complications in healing and higher levels of pain. They mostly occur in the big toe, but any toe can be affected. 


    You might be at higher risk if you wear tight footwear, have excessive sweating, or have nail trauma. 

  • TREATMENT

    Conservative treatment for an ingrown nail involves cutting the nail back, resolution of any bacterial infection, and wound treatment. Preventative measures may be considered once the acute presentation has been resolved, for example shoe modification, taping and cutting technique. The goal of conservative treatment is to resolve the condition permanently, and this is often the outcome. However, depending on the cause of the ingrown nail, this may not be possible via conservative methods. If this is the case for you, we will talk with you about surgical options. 

FOREFOOT PAIN

  • OVERVIEW

    Metatarsalgia (also called forefoot pain) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed. You might develop it if you participate in sports activities that involve a lot of running and jumping. Foot deformities or shoes that are too tight or too loose can also be causes. 

  • TREATMENT

    Aside from staying off your feet for a while, metatarsalgia treatments include icing, bandaging, as well as using cushioned pads, arch supports and other orthoses. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises may also be advised. If your metatarsalgia includes a callus on the bottom of your foot where you feel pain, we may scrape it down to take off some pressure.


    All the options will be discussed with you during your appoinment.

DIABETES MELLITUS MANAGEMENT

  • OVERVIEW

    Having diabetes can increase your risk of foot complications, including ulcers and even amputations. This is because — among other things — diabetes causes damage to the nerves in your feet, affects blood circulation, and results in increased infection. 


    Daily care can prevent serious complications always:

    • Check your feet daily for changes or problems
    • Visit a podiatrist annually for a check up or more frequently if your feet are at high risk 
    • The Foot Forward website provides useful information and support resources to help people with diabetes to care for their feet.

  • TREATMENT

    Regular checks ups with a podiatrist — at least annually if not every six months — are essential for people living with diabetes. We will ensure any issues regarding your feet are managed correctly and quickly to avoid more complications. 


    In-between appointments, it's vital to wash, dry and check your feet thoroughly, every day. Check for redness, swelling, cuts, pus, bruising, splinters or blisters. Look between toes, around heels, at nail edges, and at the soles of the feet. Have someone in the home assist you if it's difficult to do this yourself. 


    If you notice anything unusual, book an appointment as soon as possible — when you have diabetes, your foot care must be a priority.

PAEDIATRIC ASSESSMENTS

Our general paediatric assessments are specifically designed for children from as young as 1-2 years through to teenagers.

Our friendly podiatrists are highly experienced with working with children. We help put young ones at ease during their appointment, and even make their Canberra Foot Surgery visit fun!


During your child's check up, we’ll evaluate the condition and health of their feet. If required, we’ll discuss how you can manage pain, share stretching exercises, discuss optimal footwear, and any other relevant care points. We’ll also advise whether any preventative treatments are required and schedule additional appointments if needed.


Children should have a paediatric foot check up every year. However, these general assessments are even more important for active children who play a lot of sport, as well as children with existing foot conditions (for example flat feet).


Book Online

SPRAINS & SPORTS INJURY

  • OVERVIEW

    Ankle sprains and sports injuries not only cause immediate pain and problems, but can lead to long-term ailments if left untreated. If swelling and redness persists and you're unable to weightbear for more than 12 hours, a visit to Canberra Foot Surgery is recommended. 

  • TREATMENT

    From the assessment of junior players to injury management for elite athletes, Canberra Foot Surgery is equipped with the latest technology to  assess, diagnose, and treat sprains and other sports injuries. Your treatment will depend on your diagnosis, but may include stretching, strapping and taping, bracing, gait analysis, crutches, and more.


    As always, the goal is to treat and minimise pain, restore mobility, and get you back on your feet as soon as possible. 

FRACTURES & TRAUMATIC INJURY

  • OVERVIEW

    Foot, lower limb fractures and traumatic injuries not only cause immediate pain, but can lead to long-term ailments if left untreated or poorly managed. These types of injuries can be caused by caused by tripping over, dropping something on your foot, pressure over time, or even simply stubbing your toe. 


    A diagnosis will be made at an assessment where we can physically assess your foot and ask you questions about your pain, activity and footwear.

  • TREATMENT

    If we suspect you have a facture or traumatic injury, we'll refer you for an X-Ray so we can determine excatly what the issue is and form a non-surgical treatment plan, if possible. You might be fitted with a "moon boot" as well as crutches to help the healing process. Other times, simple bandaging and limited weightbearing is all that is required. 


    Whatever your diagnosis, we will implement personalised short and long-term management strategies to help get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.