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Diabetic Foot Assessments are an integral part of a podiatrists’ role in the foot health care industry. Our podiatrists are proficient in this diagnostic tool to help manage foot care for people with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition which affects the entire body, including the feet. Severe diabetic foot complications can include ulcerations, infections and possibly amputation. These eventuate because, over a period of time, poorly controlled blood sugar levels lead to damage to the nerves supplying the feet (known as peripheral neuropathy), or damage to blood vessels which results in reduced circulation to the feet (or peripheral vascular disease).

Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, leads to loss of sensation (numbness) of the feet, which means you may not be able to detect when there is injury to the feet.  Peripheral neuropathy is the most common cause in the pathway to diabetic foot ulceration. A diabetic foot assessment will detect early signs of peripheral neuropathy and help prevent further damage to the feet. Neuropathy can also affect the function of the joints and muscles in the feet. Some diabetics may develop a Charcot foot as a result. Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage. The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. This change or foot deformity can result in other foot complications.

If you have reduced blood flow, or peripheral vascular disease, this means you will have reduced healing capacity and if there is a break in the skin, reduced healing can increase the risk of infection and also help an ulcer develop. Again, early detection of reduced vascularity can help prevent serious problems in the foot.

Our podiatrists perform simple tasks, using simple tools to obtain important information about how and if you’re diabetic condition has affected your feet. During a diabetic foot assessment we look at:

– The loss of protective sensation.
– The vascularity of the feet.
– Dermatological changes.
– Level of activity.
– Gait.
– Footwear.
– Any other medical issues.

This is all needed to determine whether a diabetic patient is at low risk or high risk to develop serious foot complications.

If you have diabetes then you need to take extra care of your feet, every day! You should check your feet daily for any changes or problems, and see our Podiatrists immediately if you are concerned. Diabetes Australia recommend that you see a Podiatrist at least once a year for a foot health check, or more frequently if your Podiatrist advises that you are high risk. Your Podiatrist will do a thorough neurovascular assessment which can help to detect any changes early, and advise you on how to manage your foot health in order to reduce your risk of developing serious foot complications.

THIS SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT WEST RYDE PODIATRY CLINIC

Do discoloured and disfigured nails cause you to hide your toes in public? If so One Step Podiatry can help. We now offer a breakthrough treatment in the fight against nail fungus.

PinPointe FootLaser is a clinically proven laser designed specifically for the improvement in clear nail for patients with fungal nail issues.

Clinical studies have shown that after a single treatment, more than 71% of patients treated experience sustained improvement in new, clear nail growth. The amount of nail improvement you may experience is dependent upon your individual circumstances and should be discussed with our podiatrist. The Pinpointe Laser Machine is only available at our West Ryde Podiatry Clinic.

Before and After Images 

So if you have any questions regarding Laser Nail Treatment please give us a call today.

BIO-MECHANICAL ASSESSMENT AND ORTHOTIC THERAPY

A Bio-mechanical assessment uses up-to-date podiatric knowledge to assess and identify the underlying causes of common foot problems.  Bio-mechanical Assessments are a focus at One Step Podiatry. We pride ourselves on providing a comprehensive assessment of the lower limb in order to gain an understanding of the whole picture. Correct alignment and function of the feet is vital for whole body stability and performance.

A Bio-mechanical Assessment is required for:

– Knee Pain
– Shin Pain
– Ankle Pain
– Achilles Pain
– Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
– Arch Pain
– Forefoot Pain

What is involved in a Bio-mechanical Assessment?

— Checking joint range of motion in your feet, ankles, knees and hips, and comparing this to what we know is normal.

— Identifying your foot-type. Are you Over Pronated or Over Supinated?

— Assessing your muscle strength and flexibility

— Measuring your limb length, especially if we think there’s a limb length difference

— Assessing your feet non-weight bearing and weight bearing

— A bio-mechanical Assessment is a combination of manual muscle testing, dynamic exercise assessment and gait analysis. We combine the results of these objective tests and with information gained through thorough subjective questioning make an accurate diagnosis.

— Improving your lower limb alignment can have hugely positive effects on your whole body. As podiatrists we aim to determine imbalance and poor alignment, and we endeavour to improve these through exercises, footwear modification and in some instances orthotics. Once your body is functioning in a more efficient position we generally see a reduction in symptoms and overall improvement in performance.

At One Step Podiatry we share a common belief amongst our podiatrists that the body is a complex chain and it is important to understand the movements of the body at every joint. Not only do we have an excellent understanding of the intricate functions of the feet but we also assess and manage movements of the entire lower limb, including knee and hip function.

If you are suffering from any kind of lower limb pain or if you are concerned about the alignment of your body it is a great idea to come into the clinic to have a thorough bio-mechanical assessment conducted by one of our experienced podiatrists. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 95, having an assessment is always a good idea. And ask questions about what is happening to your body and feet and about your treatment plan. In fact we encourage questions from our patients. The more questions you ask the better, because it shows you’re interested in the process and you’re serious about wanting to resolve your current problem.

We believe good communication between the Podiatrist and Patient is the cornerstone to reaching your treatment goals and objectives and obtaining outstanding long-term results.

As busy people we put our bodies through an awful lot of stress. We walk around on hard concrete floors in often very poor footwear. We rarely stretch and when we exercise we usually focus on high intensity rather than proper form. All of this takes a great toll on the body, particularly the feet, lower limbs and spine. Having your body in it’s optimal alignment can make a huge difference to your longevity and can greatly reduce your risk of injury.

No matter what your level of fitness, If you are an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, if you are a primary school child or a busy business man, we are all susceptible to lower limb injuries. If you have any current issues or would just like a general overall biomechanical check up contact the One Step Podiatry and make an appointment.