When you visit us, always wear clothing that is comfortable. Frequently, as part of our assessment, we need to observe you walking so wearing pants that roll up above the ankles makes it easier.

Please bring any recent xrays or scans of your foot and ankle. If you have any old insoles, arch supports or orthotics then bringing them will be helpful. A list of medications is important to see and lastly please bring at least one other pair of shoes as footwear can often give us clues as to what may be wrong with your feet.

If you have private health cover with Podiatry, then you will generally be able to receive a rebate on your visit or services provided. If you are unsure if you are covered, we encourage you to contact your health insurer for more information. We have onsite HICAPS facilities so we can process your claim on the spot.

No, as a private patient, you DO NOT need a doctor’s referral to see a Podiatrist. As a primary health care provider, you do not need to see your GP prior to making an appointment with us if you plan on using your private health insurance.

In situations where you plan on claiming your consultations through Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) or Medicare, a GP referral will be needed.

Podiatry consultations and services are covered under private health insurance. If you are referred to us by your GP with a Medicare referral, there will be a gap. For further information please contact the clinic so we can learn more about your problem. We can then provide specific fees along with appropriate item numbers for insurance claiming purposes.

This is when the side of the nail digs into the skin and then becomes painful and potentially infected. The cause varies but most commonly is due to either the way the person has cut their nail or the nail has become damaged in some way.

The treatment of an ingrown nail will depend on how bad or serious the problem is. If the nail is not badly ingrown or is not causing too much trouble, treatment may include simply cutting the nail correctly. In cases where the nail is infected or very painful, or where the problem has been occurring for a long period, nail surgery is often the best option.

Nail surgery is generally quite simple and painless. Not everyone needs nail surgery but, if you do, we do need to use a small amount of local anaesthetic to numb the toe. A small portion of the nail is removed (you don’t need to remove the whole nail just the section that is ingrowing).

If deemed appropriate, sometimes a chemical is applied to the root (called the matrix) of the nail which stops the problem portion of the nail regrowing. The toe is then dressed and you can walk on it immediately, drive and even return to school or work if necessary. It’s a very successful and effective procedure that “cures” the problem permanently.

Any shoes that put pressure on the ingrown nail will make things worse. So try to wear shoes that are not tight, that have plenty of room over the toes and the flatter the heel the better. Ideally, wear thongs or sandals.

Toenail fungus is as the name suggests, caused by a fungus. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are actually normal and found on everyone’s skin. There are times when it gets into places it shouldn’t, such as a toenail. That’s when it causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened, crumbly and even smelly.

Toenail fungus lives naturally on our bodies. If there is some sort of damage or trauma to the nail such as dropping a heavy object on your toe, that can be how the fungus gets into the nail.

No not normally.

No

Toenail fungus is most commonly caused by what are called “Dermatophytes”.

There are many causes of heel pain so it’s important to actually get your heel pain properly assessed and diagnosed. Heel does tend to occur more frequently in people who are older, who are overweight and who have poor foot function and tight calf muscles.

Many different health professionals can treat heel pain but Podiatrists are the only health professionals who specialise in the care of the foot and lower leg.

People with fibromyalgia definitely can experience a lot of foot pain, including heel pain. Does it actually cause heel pain we don’t really know but experience shows that those with fibromyalgia do frequently experience heel and foot pain.

No, BUT there are rare instances where a bone tumour may be the cause of heel pain. Again, that is why it’s important to have heel pain properly assessed and diagnosed.

No. But those with diabetes can have changes in the muscles and bones of the foot which may lead to heel pain

Generally, a more supportive and cushioned shoe will help with heel pain. Sneakers are often the best type of shoe. Interesting, a heel with a heel will often help for two reasons – one – it will place more weight onto the front of the foot and less weight on the heel and – two – tight calves are often associated with heel pain and a higher heeled shoe will reduce the effect of tight calves on the heel.