All Foot Conditions Archives -

Arch Pain

Causes and Treatments
Pain in the arch of the foot is a common issue, particularly among athletes. It can stem from various causes, including injuries and structural problems. Understanding these causes and knowing how to treat them can help alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications.

The Arch of the Foot
The arch runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the ball and heel. It comprises three separate arches formed by bones, ligaments, and tendons, crucial for weight-bearing, stability, and shock absorption.

Common Causes of Arch Pain

Overpronation: This occurs when the foot rolls too far inward during walking or running, putting excessive pressure on the arch and leading to pain.
Plantar Fasciitis: A degenerative condition of the plantar fascia ligament, causing sharp heel and arch pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged sitting.
Cavus Foot: A structural abnormality characterized by a high arch, leading to instability and pain during movement.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD): Injury or inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon can cause pain in the arch and inner ankle.
Flat Feet: While often asymptomatic, flat feet can lead to arch pain due to inadequate support.

Risk Factors
Certain factors increase the risk of arch pain, including:

Aging
Overuse or excessive activity
Weight gain
Poor footwear choices
Foot Posture

Treatment Options
If home remedies such as rest, ice, and stretching are insufficient, consider professional treatments. At Podiatry Care Gawler, we offer specialised care for arch pain:

Shockwave Therapy
Footwear Education
Biomechanical Assessment
Physical Therapy
Orthotics
Medications
Injections

For more information or to book an appointment, contact us online or call us at 08 8522 4717.

Ball of Foot Pain

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Pain in the ball of the foot, commonly known as metatarsalgia, is a prevalent concern for many, especially those involved in high-impact activities. This discomfort can arise from various structures within the foot, such as bones, joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments. Individuals suffering from ball of foot pain often experience discomfort during activities that require pushing off, such as walking or climbing stairs. The pain may intensify with prolonged standing or during high-impact movements.

Causes
Several factors can lead to pain in the ball of the foot, including:

Extended Standing: Prolonged periods on your feet can increase pressure in this area.
High-Impact Activities: Sports like running, jumping, and lunging can place excessive strain on the foot.
Foot Structure Issues: Conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, and high arches can contribute to discomfort.
Improper Foot Function: Difficulty pushing off from the big toe can lead to pain.
Unsuitable Footwear: Shoes that are too narrow, shallow, or have high heels can exacerbate the issue.
Muscle Tightness or Weakness: Tight or weak calf muscles can affect how the foot functions.
Medical Conditions: Issues like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can also result in pain in this area.

Treatment
For immediate relief consider:

Rest: Taking breaks from activities that worsen the pain.
Ice Application: Using ice on the affected area can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Comfortable Footwear: Opting for well-fitted, cushioned shoes can alleviate pressure.
Pain Relief Medications: Over-the-counter options may provide additional relief.

If the pain continues, it’s important to consult with our experienced podiatrists at Podiatry Care Gawler. During your visit, we will evaluate your foot and may recommend Footwear Education, Biomechanical Assessment, Padding or Orthotics, Exercises, Physical Therapy, or Imaging Tests.

Growing Pains in Kids

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What is it?
As a child’s foot continues to develop, it may be necessary to change shoe and sock size every few months to allow room for the feet to grow. Although foot problems result mainly from injury, deformity, illness, or hereditary factors, improper footwear can aggravate pre-existing conditions. Shoes or other footwear should never be handed down.

The feet of young children are often unstable because of muscle problems which make walking difficult or uncomfortable. A thorough examination by a podiatrist may detect an underlying defect or condition which may require immediate treatment or consultation with another specialist. The Australian Podiatry Association has long known of the high incidence of foot defects among the young, and recommends foot health examinations for school children on a regular basis.

Heel Pain & Flat Feet in Kids

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What is Sever’s Disease?

Sever’s Disease (calcaneal aphophysitis) is not really a disease, but more a repetitious strain injury. This is the most common cause of heel pain in children seen at Podiatry Care. Active children in football, soccer, basketball, netball and tennis with this type of foot pain often complain of pain in the region of the heel bone particularly after exercise. In severe cases, children will complain of pain during exercise as well. They may even struggle to walk when getting up from rest.

As far as heel pain causes are concerned, Sever’s disease is a frequent cause of heel pain in children, particularly in the very active child. It is most often seen in children between the ages of 8 to 15 years as the growth plate is not fully developed or calcified at this time.

What are the symptoms commonly seen with Sever’s disease?

The condition can be quite disabling and tends to affect those who are fairly busy with sporting activities but can occur in children who are mildly active as well. In the initial stages of the condition, most children displaying signs of Severs disease will tend to hobble or limp off the sports field or court and complain of sore heels near the end of activity.

As the condition progresses, children may complain of pain during activity and in severe cases prior to sporting activities. Some children may complain of what appears to be achilles heel pain or ankle heel pain, however, children usually complain of pain in the heel of the foot. Morning heel pain is rare in children but can occur in severe cases of Sever’s disease.

Kids heel pain can be very discouraging for active children but, early treatment by the right Podiatrist can resolve this type of foot pain in children very quickly.

What causes heel pain in children?

The cause of the heel pain in Severs disease is thought to be the tractional forces applied to the growth plate of the heel bone by the achilles tendon at the rear of the heel bone and the plantar fascia just beneath the heel bone. This pulling force by the achilles tendon on the growth plate is often aggravated by tight calf muscles and excessively pronated feet (i.e. feet that “roll in” too far).

Intoeing in Kids

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Intoeing, often referred to as a “pigeon-toed” gait, is a common condition seen in young children, particularly those under four years old. It occurs when one or both feet point inward while walking or running. Although it usually doesn’t cause pain, severe cases may lead to tripping and coordination challenges.

Signs and Symptoms of Intoeing
If you notice your child has an intoeing gait, look for these signs:

One or both feet turning inward during movement.
Knees appearing turned in when standing or walking.
A curved or “banana” shape of the feet.
Clumsiness or frequent tripping while walking.

While many children experience no discomfort, in-toeing can sometimes lead to embarrassment, affecting their confidence and participation in activities.

Causes of Intoeing
Intoeing can result from various conditions, including:

Metatarsus Adductus: This condition causes the front of the foot to curve inward, resulting in a “banana” shape that can lead to an intoeing gait.
Internal Tibial Torsion: This occurs when the tibia (the bone in the lower leg) twists
inward relative to the knee, potentially affecting one or both legs.
Internal Femoral Torsion: This condition happens when the femur (thigh bone) turns inward relative to the hip joint, causing the knees and feet to point inward while walking.

Additional contributing factors may include:

Genetics
Poor postural habits
Muscle tightness
Low muscle tone
Previous injuries

Diagnosis
Diagnosing in-toeing is typically straightforward. At Podiatry Care Gawler, our paediatric podiatrists assess your child’s gait through a thorough physical examination. In some cases, we may use gait analysis technology to determine the underlying causes, enabling us to create an effective treatment plan.

Podiatry Treatment for Intoeing
Early intervention is crucial for children with in-toeing. Our experienced team at Podiatry Care Gawler experts in managing this condition. Treatment options may include:

Postural Correction
Children’s Orthotics
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Most cases of in-toeing resolve naturally as children grow, but some may persist or worsen without intervention. Timely assessment and treatment are essential.

If you have concerns about your child’s gait or suspect in-toeing, consult our team at Podiatry Care Gawler. We are committed to providing the expert support your child needs to thrive. To schedule an appointment, please contact us online or call us on 08 8522 4717.

Ingrown Toenail

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What are they?

Toenails help to protect the sensitive tissues in our toes, but can cause severe pain if they cut into the toes. The feet endure a lot of stresses and strains with walking, running, wearing shoes, working and playing sport. Sometimes the whole nail or just a portion of it will grow into the skin and penetrate the skin\’s surface. This problem commonly occurs on the big toe, however, smaller toes can be affected.

What causes them?

There are a number or reasons why ingrown toenails occur. These include:

Improper cutting
Nails should be cut along the contour of the toe or straight across. Don’t cut down the sides. Don’t pick at toe nails.
Poor fitting footwear
Tight or short shoes restrict room for nail growth with resultant pressure on the nails which can lead to ingrown nails.
Incurvated nails
Sometimes the nail edge curves into the skin either due to trauma or an inherited disorder.
Chubby toes
People with chubby toes will find the skin at the side of the toe is more likely to be traumatised or pierced by the nail as it grows straight out.

In summary, the cause may be inherited or due to poor cutting or trauma.

Shin Splints

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What is Shin Pain?

Shin pain is a very common complaint among athletes. Many people commonly refer to shin pain as “shin splints” but, regardless of what it’s called, pain generally occurs in one or more of three structures. These structures include:

Bone
The leg bone may experience continuous stress resulting in possible stress fracture.
Muscles
Can be “overused” causing swelling and pain.
Bony Lining
This is called the tenoperiosteum. This is the point at which the muscles insert into the bone. The muscular insertions can become inflamed and painful.

What causes pain in the shin?

The podiatrist must first determine where the pain is coming from. This is done through a series of clinical tests. Sometimes x-rays or bone scans may be needed. Following diagnosis, appropriate treatment is then implemented.

One of the major causes of shin pain in all areas (bone, bony lining and muscles) is incorrect foot and leg alignment during walking and running. Incorrect positioning of the foot and leg leads to poor shock absorption and can result in increased stress on the bone.

Abnormal positioning of the feet and legs can also cause muscle fatigue and overuse resulting in inflammation of tendons. Other causes of shin pain include training errors, poor conditioning, incorrect footwear and training on hard surfaces.

Fungal Nails

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What are fungal nails?

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail which often causes thickening and discoloration of the nail plate. Often callus (dead skin) is broken down and builds up beneath the nail plate. Sometimes the nail will even change shape. Of all fungal infections that occur on the body, nail infections are one of the most difficult to prevent and treat.

What causes it?

Onychomycosis is caused by an overgrowth of fungi which have a tendency to thrive and grow in all warm, moist places. The fungus usually commences growth at the end of the nail plate and continues to spread under the nail. Sometimes chalky, white plaques form on the nail surface and as the infection progresses yellowish, brownish discoloration may be seen. Cell damage by the fungus to the base of the nail can cause the nail to thicken and change shape.

Wart

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What are they?

Plantar warts are lesions which occur on the soles of the feet. They are generally well circumscribed lesions which can occur as singular or multiple lesions. Unlike corns or calluses which tend to look quite similar, warts have no skin lines running through them, are painful to squeeze and often have small black dots in their centre which represent the blood vessels within the wart tissue.

What causes them?

Warts are caused by a virus. There are many different types of wart viruses, some more resistant than others. The wart virus can be picked up in public showers, swimming centres and walking barefoot over infected areas. Warts tend to be very contagious so family members with warts should take care to prevent spread of the infection.

Foot Corn & Callus

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Corns and Calluses – What are they?

A callus is an area of dead skin production usually under the soles of the feet. These can also be seen on the palms of hands. Corns are very similar to calluses in that they are made up of the same material – keratin. Corns are formed when the pressure causing a callus is very localised. A corresponding dense core of dead skin forms in the centre of the callus as a result of very specific localised pressure.

There are four main types of corns encountered by podiatrists. These include:

Hard Corns
Soft Corns
Seed Corns
Neurovascular Corns

Corns and calluses are both simply an excessive build up of dead skin. Corns generally occur on parts of the skin subjected to excessive pressure or irritation. Consequently, corns and callous may be seen with poor fitting footwear including narrow or tight shoes. However, they may also be seen between toes, on top surface of toes or on the soles of the feet as a result of poor alignment of the bones of the feet.

What Causes Corns and Calluses?

There is only one cause – excessive pressure/or irritation. Podiatrists realise that this pressure may be the result of:

Ill fitting shoes & /or
Incorrect foot alignment during walking

Ankle & Knee Pain

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What is it?

There are commonly two types of injuries which can cause knee pain:

Acute injuries eg. ligament tears
Overuse injuries

As podiatrists, we generally deal with the overuse type injuries.

What causes it?

Various factors can cause overuse injuries to the knee, including poor footwear, inappropriate training programs and inadequate training surfaces (eg. bitumen or soft sand).Another major cause is abnormal alignment of the foot and lower leg.

Flat Feet
With flat or excessively pronated feet, the result is excessive internal rotation of the lower leg at the same time that the upper leg is rotating in the opposite direction due to forces produced during walking. The knee is the area that therefore must absorb these twisting forces, and thus injuries occur. Also, pronated feet result in a valgus, or ‘knock-knee’ position, which results in various muscles exerting their pull in incorrect directions.
High-arched feet
High arched, or excessively supinated feet, do not allow the shock absorption needed during walking. The knee must therefore take too much force to absorb this shock, and this is when overuse injuries will occur.
Some common injuries
Patellofemoral syndrome – with pronated feet the knees move into the ‘knock-kneed’ position. This causes the patellar tendon (which connects the muscles of the thigh to the lower leg via the knee cap/patella which acts as a pulley) to pull in the wrong direction. The patella thus runs over areas in the knee that it is not supposed to, and eventually this will result in injury and pain. The pain is often felt with bent-knee activity, like squatting and walking upstairs.
Iliotibial band syndrome – the muscle which runs down the outside of the thigh, and which crosses the knee, is the iliotibial band. With excessive pronation, this muscle shortens over time and is therefore subject to pain and injury. Pain is felt on the outer edge of the knee joint.
Osgood shlatters disease – this commonly affects teenagers, and is an inflammation of the growth plate of the tibia (lower leg bone), which is situated just below the kneecap.

Sports Injuries

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Sports injuries can affect anyone, regardless of age or skill level. At Podiatry Care Gawler, our role as podiatrists is to help you prevent these injuries and, if they occur, to support your recovery with the right advice and treatment. We balance the need for rest and rehabilitation to get you back to your sport as quickly and safely as possible. Understanding how your feet cope with stress and repetitive strain is key to reducing the risk of injuries.
Common Sports Injuries in the Feet

Achilles Tendonitis – occurs when this tendon becomes damaged and inflamed, often due to repetitive stress from activities like running and dancing.
Heel Pain – can stem from various conditions including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, plantar heel bursitis, severs disease and osteoarthritis.
Stress Fractures – occur due to repetitive stress on the bones in the feet, often resulting from activities like running, jumping, or dancing. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that cause pain and discomfort.
Ankle Sprains – among the most common sports injuries, occurring when the ligaments supporting the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear.

Prevention and Treatment
At Podiatry Care Gawler, we focus on both prevention and effective treatment of sports injuries. Our podiatrists are equipped to develop personalized treatment plans that include:

Individualized exercise regimens
Footwear recommendations
Manual therapy techniques
Biomechanical assessments

Understanding your foot mechanics and implementing preventative strategies can significantly reduce the risk of injury, allowing you to enjoy your favorite sports safely.

Take control of your foot health today! If you’re experiencing sports injuries or want to prevent them, book an appointment online or call us at 08 8522 4717 to see how we can help you get back to your sport.

Flat Feet

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What is it?

Flat feet is a term often used to describe feet that are hypermobile or roll in excessively. When your feet “roll in” excessively during stance, this gives the appearance that there is a loss of arch contour of the foot. This however is a misnomer… most feet when studied in the sitting position have an arch. Only during weight bearing do they collapse, hence these feet are said to be compensating for a particular condition and are displaying a movement called PRONATION – they are not really flat at all. The arch is present but, it collapses during weight bearing.

What causes flat feet?

There are many causes of abnormal pronation, the most common being:

Hypermobility is one of the most common causes. This is present in approximately 10% of the population.
Hereditary bony or soft tissue conditions within the foot that disrupt normal walking patterns. This causes the foot to “unlock” allowing the arch to fall closer to the ground.
Abnormal muscle length or weak muscles.
Abnormal leg rotations
Poor pelvic alignment causing leg length difference
Spinal conditions (e.g. Scoliosis)
Muscle spasticity (e.g. Cerebral Palsy)

The result of pronation can vary from patient to patient but it should be noted that this abnormal force on the body is a major contributor of a myriad of bony and soft tissue problems; often leading to pain!

When flat feet or pronation forces become excessive or abnormal, symptoms may occur in the following areas:

Feet (e.g. bunions, hammer toes, corns, calluses)
Heels (e.g. plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, heel pain, Sever’s disease)
Shins (e.g. shin splints, posterior tibial tendinopathy, PTTD)
Knees (e.g. patellofemoral syndrome, chondromalacia (runners knee), Osgood Schlatter’s disease
Thighs (e.g. Iliotibial band syndrome)
Hips (e.g. greater trochanter bursitis)
Upper and lower back (e.g. sciatica, disc protrusion)
Neck and head secondary to poor postural alignment which can occur with kyphosis.

Heel Pain & Heel Spurs

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What is it?

One of the most common causes of heel pain syndrome is Plantar Fasciitis. This can be associated with heel spurs, heel bursitis and sometimes achilles heel pain more commonly known as Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Tendinopathy. Some people may complain of sharp heel pain. In these situations, we need to consider the possibility of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your Podiatry Care podiatrist can test for this.

What causes pain in the heel of the foot?

There is a large ligament that exists under the sole of the foot. It starts at the heel bone and inserts into the ball of the foot. Any circumstances which cause excessive traction or pulling on this ligament cause the ligament to separate from the heel, fibre by fibre. Gradual tearing of this ligament leads to inflammation. A bone spur may form if this injury continues causing calcium to be deposited near the heel in an attempt to “glue” the detached fibres back onto the heel. The bone spur itself has no nerve endings and doesn’t hurt, however, this may be a sign that the painful inflammation has been present for quite some time.

Inflammation of this plantar fascial ligament is called Plantar Fasciosis or more commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis or Plantar Fasciosis. This is what causes pain in most cases.

What are common heel pain causes?

Excessive traction or pulling on the plantar fascial ligament may be the result of:

Sudden injury or tearing of the plantar fascia similar to an ankle sprain
Recent weight gain can contribute to overloading
Increased activity level may also be a factor if exercising loads have changed recently
Changes in the footwear can alter forces on the plantar fascia
Abnormal flattening of the foot arches (i.e. excessive pronation) can be a major contributor to overloading
High arched/rigid feet may also experience abnormal tractional forces on the plantar fascia.
Nerve entrapment is another possible cause.

What is the best Heel Pain Treatment?

Treatment for heel pain and heel spurs must involve treatment of the symptoms as well as heel pain cause. When treating heel pain, we must address the acute inflammation as well as correcting any mechanical alignment issues causing excessive strain or abnormal tractional forces on the plantar fascia of the foot if we want to achieve any long term heel pain relief.

To treat the inflammation…

Calf stretches can help if performed in the right manner. Podiatry Care has a unique stretching and strengthening program specifically designed for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
Ice massage can assist in the short term
Panadol/Asprin/N.S.A.I.D’s can help short term but rarely help in the longer term.
Training/activity evaluation is important
No barefoot walking – always use shoes or supportive footwear
Shoe evaluation is important
Exercises before getting out of bed and arising from rest should be discussed.
Anti-inflammatory gel massage can assist short term but rarely helps long term.

To address the cause of injury and prevent recurrence…

- Orthotic appliances to address abnormal forces or strain on the plantar fascia are an important component of treatment.
- Taping for the feet can be helpful in the shorter term
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Foot Mobilisation
Night braces may also be required
Dry Needling and/or Western Medical Acupuncture may be considered in some cases
Steroid injections under ultrasound guidance are rarely required but sometimes considered in very resistant cases.

Podiatry Care has a special interest in the treatment of heel pain. Contact us to discuss your heel pain treatment options. We can successfully treat both adults and children with heel pain, heel spurs, aching feet and foot pain

Plantar Fasciitis

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One of the most common causes of heel pain syndrome is Plantar Fasciitis. This can be associated with heel spurs, heel bursitis and sometimes achilles heel pain more commonly known as Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Tendinopathy. Some people may complain of sharp heel pain. In these situations, we need to consider the possibility of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Your Podiatry Care podiatrist can test for this.

WHAT CAUSES PAIN IN THE HEEL OF THE FOOT?

Inflammation of this plantar fascial ligament is called Plantar Fasciosis or more commonly known as Plantar Fasciitis or Plantar Fasciosis. This is what causes pain in most cases.

Achilles Tendonitis

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What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is simply inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. It is one of the most common tendon injuries and should always be treated as early as possible. Achilles heel pain is a condition that can be quite debilitating and is usually associated with swelling and pain. Some may describe it as ankle heel pain because the pain is often located at the back of the ankle Sometimes the tendon may thicken, and a nodule (a lumpy build-up of scar tissue) may be felt in it.

What causes Achilles Heel Pain?

There are several factors that can contribute to Achilles tendonitis. The most common is overuse of the muscle/tendon following initial injury to the tendon.

A poorly functioning foot can cause the heel to shift outwards and “bow” the Achilles tendon. This damages the tendon sheath, resulting in painful inflammation of the area. This abnormality must be neutralised to stop recurrence of injury.

A sudden increase in training – duration/intensity, excessive hill running, speed work, or training on uneven surfaces can cause tearing of the Achilles tendon. Excessive heel cushioning and air-filled shoes can, over a period of time, lose their stability. Continued use of this footwear can cause the heel to sink into the shoe. This further stretches the Achilles tendon during times when the leg and body are moving forward over the foot.

Tight calf and hamstring muscles may contribute to prolonged Achilles tendonitis, due to the continual “pulling” strain they exert on the tendon.

All Foot Conditions

Arch Pain

Ball of Foot Pain

Growing Pains in Kids

Heel Pain & Flat Feet in Kids

Intoeing in Kids

Ingrown Toenail

Shin Splints

Fungal Nails

Wart

Foot Corn & Callus

Ankle & Knee Pain

Sports Injuries

Flat Feet

Heel Pain & Heel Spurs

Plantar Fasciitis

Achilles Tendonitis

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