Conditions Treated

Bunions

Bunions are often seen as a bump on the side of the big toe. A bunion occurs when the joint at the base of your big toe becomes enlarged, sore and swollen. Your big toe may start to angle toward your second toe, or move underneath it, this puts the other bones out of alignment, producing the bump that we call the bunion. Bunions are progressive. They begin with the leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which can continue to become increasingly prominent.

Bunions can be painful; if you are experiencing problems with your feet then come and see Griffith Foot Clinic for a diagnosis and treatment options. These can range from footwear advice, padding, and orthotics and in some extreme circumstances surgery may be recommended.

Children’s Foot Complaints

Children are naturally active and activity is something we all encourage in our children. Children are naturally active and activity is something we all encourage in our children. However, sometimes children experience problems with their feet and lower limbs. Some of the common problems that children may suffer from are:

• Flat feet

• Toeing in or toeing out

• Toe walking

• Heel Pain – Severs' disease

• Knee pain – Osgood-schlatters disease

• Knock knees

• Ingrown toenails

• Sprained ankles

• Warts

If you are concerned about your child’s walking or they are complaining of tired or aching legs and feet; or even pain, then get some advice from your podiatrist. Griffith Foot Clinic understands the importance of keeping children healthy and active. So come and see us for some friendly professional advice and treatment. We commit to providing treatment options and pain relief.

Diabetic Foot Problems

Diabetics need to take great care of their feet to prevent serious complications. Diabetes causes damage to the nerves and the blood supply. The loss of nerve function (neuropathy) in the legs and feet typically develops overtime and foot injuries, ulcers, infections, and other problems can occur painlessly. Blood supply becomes reduced or altered (poor circulation), which prevents foot injuries from healing.Symptoms of diabetic foot problems include pain or a tingling foot sensation in the feet at night. Common diabetic foot problems include:

• Foot ulcers

• Swelling

• Cuts and sores

• Corns

• Ingrown toenails

• Deep infections

• Charcot fractures (unrealised fractures because lack of sensation does not cause pain)

Diabetics need to see a Podiatrist regularly. Griffith Foot Clinic provides a full diabetic assessment and can provide comprehensive ongoing treatment, in conjunction with your Doctor and other diabetes professionals. Treatment options range from regular foot maintenance, ulcer care, footwear advice and in some cases customised orthotics (insoles). Griffith Foot Clinic will assist you to maintain healthy feet and prevent serious complications. Contact Griffith Foot Clinic today for an appointment.

Flat Feet

Flat feet in children: Most feet have an arch on the inside of the foot; however, some children have flat feet, also known as fallen arches or pes planus. Often children with flat feet have family members with flat feet too. All babies and most toddlers appear to have flat feet due to their “baby fat” which disguises the developing arch. Flexible flat feet are considered normal at these developmental ages, however children who have rigid or stiff flat feet may have a more serious problem. The arch on the inside of the foot may begin to develop at age 2 and should be developed by age 7.Flat feet can limit athletic ability in children and sometimes can cause pain or a tired feeling in the legs. Treatment options for flat feet in children varies; from no treatment being required, to footwear advice and sometimes orthotics. Come and see Griffith Foot Clinic for a realistic diagnosis and treatment options to suit your budget.

Flat feet in adults: Flat feet, or fallen arches, are a fairly common foot condition, affecting an estimated 20-30% of the general population. Just like the name suggests, flat feet are diagnosed when the arch of the foot is collapsed so the whole foot rests flat on the ground. About 10% of the population have inherited flat feet while the rest of the cases are acquired through the environment. Having misaligned, flat or tired feet rapidly promotes the stress that is placed on other joints such as the ankle, knee and hip. This is because these joints try to ‘pick up the slack’ left by the misaligned, flat or tired feet. The main cause for concern is over pronation (foot rolling inwards). This can result in uneven weight distribution when running or walking and can result in arch, ankle, knee or leg pain. Flat feet in adults cannot be cured, but the pronation can be reduced by customised orthotics (insoles) and/or good footwear. Good footwear and/or orthotics provide support for the foot and encourage correct foot function, the foot will rest more naturally on the ground hence reducing pronation and reducing the stress on the ankle, knee and leg. If you are concerned about your flat feet, come and see Griffith Foot Clinic for customised orthotics (insoles) and footwear advice. Griffith Foot Clinic has solutions to suit your problem, book an appointment today.

Foot Pain

The human foot and ankle is a strong and complex mechanical structure containing 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Feet allow us to stand, walk, run and jump so it is understandable that you can experience foot pain. Due to the complexity of the foot, pain can occur for many different reasons.

Griffith Foot Clinic will be able to assess the reasons for the pain and provide advice and appropriate treatment options. Sometimes a single appointment is required and other times a full biomechanical assessment may be needed.

Heel and Arch Pain (inc. Plantar Fasciosis)

Heel and arch pain can affect men and women of all ages. The most common forms of heel pain are Plantar Fasciosis, and Sever’s Disease.

This heel pain, which is called the plantar fascia, commonly causes pain when getting out of bed in the morning. It often recurs throughout the day especially after rest and prolonged movement.

The Griffith Foot Clinic uses various treatment options for plantar fasciosis, ranging from rest, strapping, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medication to orthotics. In more serious cases cortisone injections or surgery may be required. If you do suffer from heel or arch pain, Griffith Foot Clinic offers professional diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.

Sever’s disease is the most common cause of heel pain in pre-adolescent and adolescent children. It occurs most commonly in (but is not limited to) physically active children between 7 -14 years of age.Sever’s disease is most often caused by inadequate footwear, playing sport on hard surfaces, calf tightness and biomechanical problems. Sever’s disease is caused when the leg muscles become tight and overstretched or by repetitive stress being placed on the growth plate of the heel bone. Over time this stress causes micro-trauma, inflammation and pain. The treatment for Sever’s disease can vary from resting from sports, cold packs, stretching and strengthening exercises, footwear advice and heel inserts for shoes and trainers. Why not book an appointment with Griffith Foot Clinic for a diagnosis and to see which treatment options would help alleviate your child’s heel pain.

Hip, Knee, Shin and Lower Back Pain

The average person will walk around 128,000kms in a life time – that’s more than three times around the earth – so it is not surprising that you can sometimes suffer pain. There are many different problems associated with hip, knee, shin and lower back pain and the pain can be caused by a variety of issues such as leg length difference, injuries, posture and gait issues, flat or tired feet. If you suffer from hip, knee, shin or lower back pain then visit Griffith Foot Clinic.

At Griffith Foot Clinic we will identify the pain and tailor treatment options for you. This could be something as simple as footwear options and advice, to strapping, exercises, a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis and some cases heel raisers or orthotics.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are very painful and can cause infection. An ingrown toenail is caused when the nail grows into the skin, usually at the sides of the nail. This pressure irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness and swelling. If the nail breaks the skin bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Ingrown toenails are very common and Podiatrists deal with them regularly.

Griffith Foot Clinic will assess the problem and decide the best course of action. This could be nail trimming, footwear advice or nail surgery. Nail surgery is known as a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA), this procedure is conducted using local anaesthetic. The treatment is painless and is the ultimate solution for ingrown toenails.

Lacing Techniques

Many people underestimate the power of proper lacing. Instead of over tightening your shoes, try these simple techniques to ensure a secure fit. “Forefoot nerves are superficial and easily damaged by shoe laces that are tied too tight. Use the extra eyelet at the top of the shoe to “lock” the laces in place.

Lock lacing for heel slippage

If you experience heel slippage, lock lacing will help. Lace the shoe normally until the lace ends emerge from the second set of eyelets. Then feed the laces up each side and into the top eyelet towards the foot. Now cross laces over, and feed each under the vertical section of the other side. Pull and tie normally.

Loop-lacing lock

This method of lacing is great to ensure a secure fit for any running shoe. After lacing, put each lace end back through the last hole to create a small loop on the top side of the shoe. Thread each loose end through the loop on the opposite side, pull and tie to create a tight closure.

High-instep lacing

If you have a high instep, this lacing technique might make you more comfortable. Start with normal lacing at the bottom, then feed the laces up each side of the shoe and cease to criss-cross. Once at the top, continue the criss-cross technique and tie for a secure closure.

Wide forefoot lacing

If you have a wide forefoot, consider buying shoes especially designed for this issue. You can also try this simple technique. Begin by feeding the laces up each side of the shoe and only use the criss-crossing technique towards the top. Tie for a secure closure.

Mortons Neuroma

What is a Mortons Neuroma?

A neuroma is the inflammation and thickening of a nerve often causing discomfort and pain. A neuroma can present in several locations in the foot. A Mortons Neuroma is the most common, it occurs in the space between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads when the third common plantar nerve is inflamed.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of a Mortons Neuroma are all related to the function of the nerve. The longer the nerve has been inflamed the worse the symptoms are. In the beginning numbness and tingling are felt, over time these symptoms often progress to burning and stabbing type pain.

Cause

The inflammation of the third common plantar nerve is caused by the compression of the nerve due to poor foot function and broadening of the front of the foot.

Treatment

The initial treatments include padding and strapping as well as toe props to separate the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones. Orthotics are used to provide a more permanent solution to improve foot function and alleviate compression of the nerve.

Nails, Corns and Calluses

Toenail problems tend to be more common with advancing age. Problems include fungal infection, nail deformities and brittle nails. Causes of nail problems include trauma, ill-fitting shoes, poor circulation and infection. Improve the health of your nails by visiting Griffith Foot Clinic for comprehensive professional treatment.

Corns and calluses can affect anyone. They develop due to pressure on the foot, this could be due to footwear or due to the way we stand, walk or run. The body responds to the pressure by producing thickenings in the surface layer of the skin. These hard patches of skin are called calluses and are part of the body’s defense system to protect the underlying tissues. If the cause of pressure is not relieved, calluses become painful. Common sites of corn and callus formation include the ball of the foot, under the big toe, tips and tops of toes and between the toes. The presence of a central ‘core’ suggests a corn has formed. Corns can be in the form of hard or soft corns. Corns and calluses can cause inflammation, which can result in pain, swelling and redness.

If you are experiencing problems with hardening of the skin then visit Griffith Foot Clinic. We will identify the cause of your pain and provide treatment options to relieve it and prevent it. Treatment options and solutions range from removing the callus or corn, to footwear advice, redistributing the pressure with the use of padding or strapping and in some cases orthotics. Why not contact us for an appointment today.

Plantar Fasciitis

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis or more correctly Plantar Fasciosis which is often referred to as ‘stone bruise’ or ‘heel spurs’ is an inflammation or irritation of the plantar fascia that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the attachment at the inside of the heel becomes irritated and then inflamed resulting in heel pain.

Signs and Symptoms

Plantar fasciosis is often described as pain first thing in the morning after getting out of bed or after sitting. The pain often decreases a short time after being on your feet. The pain may or may not increase with time on your feet. The pain may increase over a number of months.

Causes

Most commonly, people with either overly flat feet or high-arched feet are most prone to developing this heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury where excessive pronation (fallen arches) adds additional tension to the plantar fascia causing the initial irritation.

Spending long periods of time walking on hard surfaces and wearing low flat shoes that have little support can increase symptoms.

On X-ray, heel spurs can be found in patients with heel pain, these are great indicators of tension at the attachment however these are rarely a source of pain.

Treatment Options

• Strapping

• Ice

• Stretching

• Orthotic devices

• Footwear

• Reduce Activity

• Medications

Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

What is PTTD?

PTTD is the inflammation and or degeneration of the posterior tibial muscle tendon. This can be a painful condition where structures supporting the arch fail and cause flat feet in adults.

Signs and Symptoms

PTTD is a progressive condition where the signs and symptoms change. Initially pain and swelling track along the tendon on the inside of the foot behind the ankle. As the condition progresses the arch will fall, ankle rolls inward and toes point outward. The pain now moves to the outside of the foot below the ankle.

This condition typically occurs in one foot but can occur in both. PTTD is most common in middle aged women.

Cause

The Posterior Tibialis muscle plays an important role in maintaining the arch and preventing the ankle rolling in (pronation). When foot function causes the tendon to be overused, the tendon can lose its ability to function properly. As the condition progresses the ability of the PTT to function properly is diminished.

Treatment

• Padding and Strapping

• Orthotics and appropriate footwear

• Surgery advice and referral

Severs' Disease

What is Severs Disease?

Severs’ Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis) is the inflammation of the heels growth plate due to muscle strain and repetitive stress. This condition is a common cause of heel pain in children between the ages of 8 – 14 years old, and especially in children who are active.

Signs and Symptoms

Discomfort in this condition is characterised by pain and tenderness in the back and bottom of the heel. Pain is often felt during and after increased levels of activity.

Cause

As children grow quickly (often due to growth spurts) the growth plate in the heel is put under increased tension and stress, this happens because bones can sometimes grow quicker than muscles. In addition to this tension, increased activity, poor foot function and excessive weight can all exacerbate the injury.

Treatment

Treatment options reduce stress on the heel and growth plate. This can be achieved in the following ways:

• Reduce activity

• Icing

• Heel Raises

• Stretches

• Footwear advice

• Orthotics

Sports Injuries

Sport forms a large and important part of many people’s lives. However, many sports increase the force and pressure on the feet and lower limbs and, whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, occasionally sports injuries can occur. Foot and lower limb injuries can be caused by multiple reasons from pressure to overuse injuries. Some of the common sports injuries include:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendonitis

• Ankle sprain

• Shin splints

• Knee pain

• Stress fracture

If you experience any foot or lower limb pain due to sports or exercise, visit Griffith Foot Clinic for a comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan.