The foot is a complex mechanical structure composed of 33 joints, 26 bones, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments (1).  

Your feet are the foundation of the body’s posture, balance, and overall well-being. It is important to get your feet checked regularly for the prevention of long-term pain and discomfort in not only the feet but also the knees, hips and further up the chain.  

Neglecting foot care may lead to foot deformity, infections, and other long-term consequences in the lower limbs (2). For example, foot deformities can cause pressure sores to develop in the foot or ankle causing foot and leg pain. An open wound with foot deformity can lead to an infection and even amputation in a patient who has an inadequate blood supply and nerve sensation.  

However, many of the above issues can be avoided with regular foot checks and podiatrist visits. Read on to find out why regular podiatry visits would be worthwhile for you and your family.  

Regular Podiatrist Visits

Podiatrists are health professionals that specialise in foot health. Regular podiatry can relieve pain and discomfort. Many people think foot pain or knee pain is normal after activities. In fact, it is not. Your bones and muscles may get tired from a sudden increase in activity. However, if the discomfort recurs daily and does not subside after a short period of time, it is advised that you should seek help from experienced podiatrists.

Conditions that we treat include painful nail and skin conditions as well as muscle and bone issues (3). This can include treating ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, shin splints, and other foot and ankle medical conditions. We also have extensive experience with kids who experience growing pain and we assist them in going back to school and participating in their favourite sports, pain-free.  

Regular podiatry visits help with early intervention and prevention of amputation caused by inadequate circulation and nerve damage. Those who suffer from diabetes and vascular diseases are prone to having issues with their lower limbs. An annual visit to the podiatrist can help identify and prevent serious problems in the future.  

Regular podiatry visits support long-term foot health and quality of life. In your appointment, your podiatrists can perform a series of tests on your circulation and nerve sensation (4). They can assess your foot structure and analyse the way you walk or stand to give you the best advice on footwear choices or foot orthoses to improve your foot strength and function. They can also give you advice on daily practice to keep your feet at their best.  

Examples of Foot Pain Causes

Below are just a few examples of what may be behind the cause of pain in your foot,

• Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition that occurs when the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, becomes inflamed. It can cause heel pain and arch pain.
• Heel Spurs are bony growths that develop on the heel bone.
• Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot collapses and comes into contact with the ground. Flat feet can also develop as you age. This causes discomfort in the arch and other areas of the foot.
• Achilles Tendinitis: an inflammation of the Achilles tendon which runs from the calf muscle to the heel bone.
• Sprains are the most common cause of ankle pain, a sprain occurs when ligaments that connect the bones in the ankle are stretched or torn.
• An Ingrown Toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin causing pain, swelling redness and sometimes infection.

Tips for Maintaining Good Foot Health

Aadila and Trang, lead podiatrists at Prohealth Podiatry gives out tips for maintaining good foot health: 

• It is advised that you should check your feet every day for cuts, redness, swelling, sores, blisters, corns, calluses, or any other change to the skin or nails. Use a mirror if you cannot see the bottom of your feet or ask a family member to help.
• To keep your feet free from infections, it is advised that you frequently wash and dry your feet, avoid going barefoot in public showers or pool areas (thongs are great to wear in public showers), do not wear the same pair of socks two days in a row, hang your socks inside out in the sun, do not share footwear with other people, and air your shoes regularly in the sun. 

When to Seek Foot Help

If you have taken all the above steps but still experience the symptoms listed here, it is advised that you seek podiatry care from a podiatrist.  

• Painful foot including heel pain or forefoot pain that is not subsiding with rest 
• Pain and discomfort in your feet, knees, hips or lower back after sports or high-intensity activities. 
• Tingling, numbness or altered sensation in your feet.  
• Hard skin forming in your feet (corns or callous)  
• Difficulty walking or feeling unstable when walking and standing.  

The team at Prohealth Podiatry (Red Hill and Mount Gravatt) are here to help you to be pain-free and feel confident with your feet again. We offer effective treatment options for various foot conditions including but not limited to nails and skin issues, musculoskeletal discomfort and management of diabetic feet. Contact us today or book an appointment.

References:  

1. Manganaro D, Dollinger B, Nezwek TA, et al. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Joints. [Updated 2022 Aug 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536941/
2. Kim PJ, Attinger CE, Evans KK, Steinberg JS. Role of the podiatrist in diabetic limb salvage. Journal of vascular surgery. 2012 Oct 1;56(4):1168-72. 
3. James K, Orkaby AR, Schwartz AW. Foot examination for older adults. The American journal of medicine. 2021 Jan 1;134(1):30-5. 
4. Rönnemaa T, Hämäläinen H, Toikka T, Liukkonen I. Evaluation of the impact of podiatrist care in the primary prevention of foot problems in diabetic subjects. Diabetes care. 1997 Dec 1;20(12):1833-7.