Podiatry

Our podiatrists care for conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs in people of all ages. They treat common nail and skin problems, such as ingrown toenails, corn and verrucae, as well as heel and foot pain. Podiatrists also assess how you stand, walk, and move to identify problems that may be causing pain or affecting mobility. Treatment may include gait and biomechanical assessment, custom orthotics, footwear advice, and specialist foot care for people with diabetes.

What is podiatry?

Podiatry is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs. Podiatrists are allied health professionals who treat nail and skin problems, foot and heel pain, and problems with walking and movement. They also provide specialist care for people at risk of foot complications, including those with diabetes. Podiatry is suitable for people of all ages. Where a condition requires bone or joint surgery, your podiatrist may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon.

When should you see a podiatrist?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Foot or heel pain that will not settle
• A painful, ingrown or discoloured toenail
• Hard skin, corns or a verruca that is sore
• Numbness or tingling in your feet
• Foot or ankle pain when you run or play sport

If you have diabetes and notice a new cut, blister or ulcer, or a foot that has changed colour, become hot or swollen, contact your foot care team or doctor straight away, as these need urgent attention.

You don't always need symptoms to benefit. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet, a regular foot check helps catch problems early, before they become harder to treat.

What to expect

At your first visit, the podiatrist asks about your symptoms, general health and the shoes you wear. They then examine your feet and check the skin and nails. If your problem affects how you walk, they may watch your gait and check the movement in your feet. For a painful or high-risk foot, they'll also test the nerves and blood flow to work out what is causing it.

Treatment depends on what they find. It might be simple foot and nail care, or a pressure-relieving device such as padding, an insole, or a custom orthotic. Minor problems like an ingrown toenail can be treated with a small procedure under local anaesthetic. For a diabetic or slow-healing foot, wound care and regular review help protect it. Your podiatrist will talk you through the options and help you take the right next step.

Podiatry at Mediclinic

Our podiatrists work across Mediclinic facilities, caring for everyday foot problems, sports concerns and the diabetic foot. They see athletes of all levels and use gait analysis to assess how you walk and identify factors that may contribute to foot and ankle problems. Some clinics also use pressure plate technology to provide a more data-driven assessment. Our podiatrists provide off-the-shelf and custom orthotics, as well as nail surgery and treatment for corns and verrucae.

Our podiatrists also work with vascular surgery, diabetes, and wound care colleagues to prevent and treat diabetic foot complications. They manage high-risk feet and diabetic foot ulcers, with regular foot checks available for people with diabetes to help identify problems early.