Having our toes suddenly turn red can be alarming – especially when we can’t pinpoint a specific cause. Alongside the redness, you may also experience some pain, swelling, and wearing your regular work shoes or joggers may now feel uncomfortable. As the cause of the redness can range from problems with our skin and blood vessels to problems with our muscles and bones, our podiatry team has shared the top five causes of red toes that we see and treat here at My FootDr.
Do you have private health insurance? With a large number of private health funds having a deadline of December 31st 2020 for their customers to use the podiatry services that they pay a premium for, you now have just three months to take advantage of these benefits. This includes claiming your orthotics rebate on a new or second pair of custom foot orthotics so you can get them with just a low gap*.
Do you have private health insurance? With a large number of private health funds having a deadline of December 31st 2022 for their customers to use the podiatry services that they pay a premium for, you now have just three months to take advantage of these benefits. This includes claiming your orthotics rebate on a new or second pair of custom foot orthotics so you can get them with no gap*.
Never had a pair of orthotics before?
If you’ve never previously had a pair of orthotics – or seen a podiatrist before – orthotics are prescription medical devices that help improve the function of your feet and legs. They help you walk with improved comfort, reduced pain, greater stability and better energy efficiency – meaning less muscle fatigue and overuse.
During your first appointment, we’ll get to know your history, the problems or pains you’re experiencing, your goals, and whether orthotics are right for you. From there, if you are likely to benefit from orthotic therapy, we’ll complete your orthotic assessment and 3D scans, after which you’ll be eligible for no gap* assessments for subsequent pairs.
If you’re unsure if orthotics are right for you, read all about:
Which other podiatry services can you use your private health fund rebate for?
If you don’t need orthotics, you can still make the most of your health fund rebates for a number of our other services listed below.
Your level of cover is dependent on your particular private health insurance policy, so to be certain of your exact rebate amount, give your insurer a call.
Don’t forget about your physiotherapy benefits!
If you’re covered for extras that include podiatry, you may also be covered for a rebate for physiotherapy services which may also expire soon. See your local Allsports Physiotherapy clinic for Australia’s leading physio care.
Terms and Conditions Applies to all custom-made foot orthotics, including 3D printed option. Offer valid for existing orthotic patients only. Consultation and other fees excluded. Any other offers on appointments, assessments and orthotics are subject to patient’s health fund policy, annual limits, policy rules, the patient having the appropriate level of extras cover and health fund rebate processing through HICAPS at the time of the appointment. As such minimum accepted health fund rebates may apply to items listed above – ask your clinic for further details. Prices may be subject to change annually. Please contact your local clinic to find out more.
Do you have private health insurance? With a large number of private health funds having a deadline of December 31st 2024 for their customers to use the podiatry services that they pay a premium for, you now have just three months to take advantage of these benefits.
Never had a pair of orthotics before?
If you’ve never previously had a pair of orthotics – or seen a podiatrist before – orthotics are prescription medical devices that help improve the function of your feet and legs. They help you walk with improved comfort, reduced pain, greater stability and better energy efficiency – meaning less muscle fatigue and overuse.
During your first appointment, we’ll get to know your history, the problems or pains you’re experiencing, your goals, and whether orthotics are right for you. From there, if you are likely to benefit from orthotic therapy, we’ll complete your orthotic assessment and 3D scans, after which you’ll be eligible for LOW/NO gap* assessments for subsequent pairs depending on your health fund (T&C’s apply).
If you’re unsure if orthotics are right for you, read all about:
Which other podiatry services can you use your private health fund rebate for?
If you don’t need orthotics, you can still make the most of your health fund rebates for a number of our other services listed below.
Your level of cover is dependent on your particular private health insurance policy, so to be certain of your exact rebate amount, give your insurer a call.
Don’t forget about your physiotherapy benefits!
If you’re covered for extras that include podiatry, you may also be covered for a rebate for physiotherapy services which may also expire soon. See your local Allsports Physiotherapy clinic for Australia’s leading physio care.
Applies to all custom-made foot orthotics, including 3D printed option. Offer valid for existing orthotic patients only. Consultation, fitting appointment and scanning fees excluded. Any other offers on appointments, assessments and orthotics are subject to patient’s health fund policy, annual limits, policy rules, the patient having the appropriate level of extras cover and health fund rebate processing through HICAPS at the time of the appointment. As such minimum accepted health fund rebates may apply to items listed above – ask your clinic for further details. Prices may be subject to change annually. Please contact your local clinic to find out more.
If you hold a DVA gold card, you may be eligible for a number of fully subsidised podiatry services – and it all starts with a foot health assessment. If you’ve yet to take advantage of this service – or you have no idea how podiatry can help you, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about your foot health and My FootDr below.
Foot pain can be excruciating. When it affects your performance at work, it can be even worse. Our jobs can take a large toll on our bodies, which isn’t surprising given how active many of us are throughout our workday. An Australian study looking at steps taken per day over different occupations found that on average [1]:
When children first begin to walk, it is generally recommended that they are kept barefoot inside the home for the first 6-8 weeks. This assists the development of their sensory system, which aids in balance and movement coordination, by letting them feel what is happening beneath their feet. When outside, shoes should be worn for protection.
When children reach the age where they’re able to walk, run and play confidently and for long periods, this is when having the right shoe characteristics becomes important. At this stage, shoes can help kids adventure through the day – or be a source of pain if they’re ill-fitting or contribute to tripping and falling.
Here’s what you should look for when buying new shoes for your child:
Having the right fit can reduce the risk of many problems developing, both short and long-term. If the shoes are:
Having shoes with an adjustable fastening mechanism like laces, velcro or a buckle is a better option that a slip-on, even if it’s a jogger. A good fastening mechanism:
The heel counter is the rear part of the shoe that wraps around the back of the heel. It aids in supporting the feet. Make sure that:
The shoe shank is the firm reinforcement that is added to the middle of the sole of the shoe. It helps support the foot and helps prolong the life of the shoe.
Your child’s shoe should naturally bend just before the toes, as this is where the bones in our feet bend as we push off to take the next step. The shank does not extend to this region. Shoes should not, however, be able to bend easily through the middle of the shoe, just as our feet naturally do not bend there.
The heavier the shoe, the harder the feet, legs and muscles must work to support daily living – and the faster the muscles will tire. Opt for shoes that are lightweight, especially when muscle strength is still developing in younger kids.
There is no one shoe brand that will address all of these characteristics nor is there one shoe brand that fits all children – every child’s feet are different! So it’s important to assess each individual shoe on these merits. Don’t be misled by the price either – expensive shoes aren’t necessarily any healthier for your child’s feet.
Remember to regularly check the size of your child’s socks for appropriate fit. Children’s socks tend to be forgotten about however wearing socks which are too small can apply excess pressure to the toes and may cause them to claw.
As our feet can slightly increase in size throughout the day, take kids shoe shopping with you towards the end, as opposed to the start of the day. Always look at the fit of both feet in the shoes, as most people have one foot that is slightly longer than the other.
Have your child’s shoes professionally fitted by a podiatrist. Many My FootDr clinics offer a range of footwear that support your family’s feet. Our experienced podiatrists professionally fit each pair to ensure the best fit, and suitability for any problems you may have
Check here to find your closest My FootDr clinic that offers footwear.
If your New Year’s resolution revolves around staying fit and healthy, then having healthy feet is the perfect place to start. Without being able to walk and move comfortably, it’s easy to lose all the exercise plans and motivation you have right now! To help you start the year off on the right foot, we’ve put together eight simple, powerful and often overlooked tips to help keep your feet healthy. Follow them regularly, and if you need help, get in touch with us here.
We believe that kids should be able to run, play and grow without being held back by pain or discomfort. This is why we work extensively with kids when they develop any pains, unusual walking patterns, or their feet and legs aren’t developing as expected. Our goal is always to help them enjoy a happy and active adult life by getting to the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
As the feet and legs grow and change so quickly, it can be difficult for parents to know what is normal, and what isn’t. To help, here are the top 5 lower limb problems that our younger patients experience:
If you thought that trimming toenails, analysing your walking pattern or making you custom orthotics was all that we offer here at My FootDr – think again! Our innovative team offers a range of world-class and often unexpected services across Australia that go far beyond what many people perceive to be ‘normal’ podiatry. Today, we’re highlighting ten of our services that you probably never knew we can help you with.