F.A.Q

A podiatrist specialises in treating problems with and injuries to the feet, ankles, legs and knees, as well as optimising their function.

A podiatrist is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after studying for a minimum of four years.

 

Under the registration, they can assess, diagnose and treat foot and lower limb pathologies. These problems may include: 

• Skin and nail disorders like ingrown toenails, fungal infections, corns, cracked heels and more 
• Complication associated with medical conditions affecting the feet like arthritis & diabetes 
• Gait disorders or problems with walking, running and posture
• Muscle, tendon, ligament, joint and bone injuries – from overuse that leads to painful inflammation, tears in the muscle,  fractures and inflammation of the joints

 

You don’t need to be in pain to see us. My FootDr clinics also work extensively with optimising sports performance, injury prevention, improving daily comfort when walking or when at work, making custom footwear to suit a variety of feet, preventing falls and improving balance and coordination, and much more. We work with a number of professional and social sports teams to help them have fantastic and injury-free seasons. 

 

We work with all ages, including kids, adults and the elderly. We are Australia’s leading and most extensive podiatry team, and have a range of innovative treatments that we pioneered including shockwave therapy and anti-fungal laser treatment.

 

We care for patients under NDIS, DVA, Medicare and offer on-the-spot health insurance rebates.

At My FootDr, our podiatrists are closely aligned with other allied health practitioners, general practitioners and medical specialists. As Australia’s largest podiatry group, we are at the forefront of podiatric foot care with our innovative medical technologies and excellent patient outcomes.

In most cases, a referral is not needed to see a podiatrist. However, certain patients such as those with the Department of Veterans Affairs cards, Medicare Care Plans and EPC’s will need referrals from their GP.

We also have HICAPS onsite so you can claim directly from your Private Health funds.

General consultations and treatments cover a wide scope of foot problems, including:

• Foot care (thickened nails, calluses, corns, warts, ingrown nails etc)
• Diabetic foot screening and assessments (including digital circulation tests and neurological checks)
• Wax baths for extremely dry skin
• Athlete’s foot, cracked heels and other skin pathologies

Aside from their four-year degree, our team of podiatrists regularly attend ongoing training courses and seminars in order to stay at the top of their profession and provide you with the very best podiatric care that you deserve. This, along with our innovative clinical systems, ensure all treatments meet the highest standards. Our friendly and competent administrative staff are also well trained to ensure that every aspect of your foot care is to your satisfaction.

Initial biomechanical consultations take about an hour to complete and involve a thorough taking of history, extensive physical and stance assessment (standing, walking and lying down), as well as comprehensive video gait analysis and reporting.

In some cases, this may include revision of previous diagnostic tests (x-ray, CT scan or MRI), and digital 3D scanning of the contours of the feet for custom foot orthotic fabrication. Patients leave the centre with a compiled biomechanical report folder that contains their video gait analysis reports, exercise instruction sheets,  brochures and recommendations which may include footwear referrals.

If you have been referred to the centre, this information is forwarded to the referrer along with a comprehensive letter of treatment. Most patients are amazed at the level of clinical detail that we strive for in order to provide the best service and treatment available.

The foot has a very important job to do. It has to absorb the impact of our body weight thousands of times per day, potentially being exposed to up to 3-4 times that force depending on the activity, such as running.

That’s a big job for a relatively small part of the body. The feet must also transmit the energy that we generate to propel us forward when we walk, as we push into the ground. They slow us down then speed us up every time we take a step. Feet also help us balance on uneven ground and help us to stand still. Your feet can bend, twist and adapt to uneven or flat surfaces.

Imagine if you had stiff, wooden feet that didn’t move – you would probably be falling over regularly! The arches in your feet, along with your bones and muscles, act as your own personal suspension system. Take great care of them.

Poorly fitted school shoes can affect the growth of a child’s feet and can cause problems with their gait, balance and posture – not to mention the alignment of their toes and bones. The average child spends over 1000 hours each year in their school shoes, so it is imperative that they wear appropriate, well-fitted shoes.

Follow our tips to help pick the right shoe for your child and if you have any questions, ask one of our friendly podiatrists or shoe fitting specialists.

Length

Check to make sure that the child’s longest toe (this may not be the big toe) is about a child’s thumb width from the end of the shoe so there is room for them to grow. Any more than a thumbs width and the shoe may be too long.

Width

Make sure the shoe is broad enough and the right shape to fit the child’s foot. If it’s too narrow then the shoes can cause blisters, and if it’s too wide then they will not offer enough support.

Depth

Make sure the shoe isn’t too tight across the top of the child’s foot as this can lead to discomfort.

Heel

Make sure that the shoe fits snugly against the child’s heel without being too tight or loose.

Ankle Support

Make sure the shoe fits snugly around the ankle but doesn’t rub too much on the ankle. Make sure that when fastened, the shoe provides a good grip around the foot.

Walking

Last but not least, watch your child go for a walk in their new shoes, making sure they can walk normally and that the shoe is not slipping around the heel.

 

Yes. We have HICAPS facilities on-site so you can claim directly from your private health fund, often with little or no out-of-pocket expense. Please contact your private health fund for more information about the podiatry and orthotic rebates you may be eligible for.