Podiatry
Orthotics are custom-made or over-the-counter devices that are designed to provide support and improve the function of the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. These devices are typically made from various materials, including soft cushioning materials, rigid plastics, and foam. They are crafted to fit inside your shoes and offer a range of benefits, including support for the arches, correction of alignment issues, cushioning for shock absorption, pressure redistribution away from problem areas, and corrective measures for specific conditions such as plantar fasciitis or flat feet.
Orthotics are typically prescribed or recommended by a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist, after a thorough evaluation of your foot structure and gait. Custom orthotics are molded specifically to fit your feet, providing tailored support. Over-the-counter orthotics are designed for general support and can be purchased without a prescription, offering relief for common foot issues. While custom orthotics are more effective in addressing individual needs, over-the-counter options provide general support and comfort. Whether custom or over-the-counter, orthotics play a valuable role in improving foot health and overall well-being.
You may need to see a podiatrist, a specialist in foot and ankle health, for a variety of reasons. Some common situations in which it’s a good idea to consult a podiatrist include persistent or severe foot pain, heel pain from conditions like plantar fasciitis, or ingrown toenails. They can also help manage issues like bunions, hammertoes, and foot deformities, providing expert guidance for children with gait abnormalities or developmental concerns. Additionally, if you have conditions such as diabetes, which put your feet at risk, a podiatrist can offer essential diabetic foot care.
In cases of sports injuries or persistent fungal infections, a podiatrist’s professional treatment and guidance are invaluable. They can also assess and address issues related to foot alignment, skin and nail conditions, and the need for custom orthotic devices. In general, whether you have acute pain, chronic discomfort, or specific foot health concerns, consulting a podiatrist ensures that your feet receive the care they deserve, helping you maintain pain-free and healthy mobility.
A podiatrist is a medical specialist who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions and issues related to the feet, ankles, and lower extremities. Podiatrists are highly trained healthcare professionals with specialized knowledge of the complex structures of the foot and the biomechanics of walking and running. They play a crucial role in helping individuals maintain proper foot health and mobility.
Podiatrists are qualified to provide a wide range of services, including diagnosing and treating foot and ankle injuries, managing conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel spurs, and addressing issues like ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses. They provide diabetic foot care to prevent and manage complications, conduct gait analysis to assess and correct walking abnormalities, and recommend and craft custom orthotic devices to support foot function. Additionally, they offer guidance on proper footwear and foot hygiene, perform surgical procedures when necessary (such as bunion or hammertoe correction), and treat sports-related foot and ankle injuries. They also manage congenital or acquired foot deformities.
Consulting a podiatrist is essential for individuals experiencing foot or ankle pain, discomfort, or specific foot health issues, as these specialists can provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care to ensure proper foot function and overall well-being.
Step Relief Healthcare may have experienced podiatrists who can offer specialized care and services to address various foot and ankle concerns. It’s advisable to contact Step Relief Healthcare directly for information about their specific podiatry services and the experience of their podiatrists.
All patients with chronic conditions are eligible for Medicare rebates for routine podiatry visits through the Medicare system. You will need to see your General Practitioner and ask for an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referral.
We request that you pay the amount during the time of the consultation. We accept cash, cheques, or credit cards and have EFTPOS and HICAPS facilities, in which we can also accept Australian health funds and health care providers.
Yes, we accept private health, we have a HICAPS facility at all of our locations, including in St. Albans, so you can claim directly from your private health fund. Depending on your cover, you may need to pay a small gap payment. You will need to call your private health fund for more information about the podiatry and orthotic rebates you may be eligible for.
At Step Relief Podiatry, we offer online booking, so all you need to do is click the book now button on our website, where you will have the option to select a convenient location and your preferred podiatrist. It’s that simple.
You can expect to meet a friendly and caring podiatrist in St. Albans. During the initial assessment, one of our podiatrists will assess your situation and help provide you with the right care and treatment.
It varies on the complaint you presented, you have to bring with you several items for the consultation. For instance, if you have an ankle and foot pain and x-rays histories, or have a medical history that shows your condition or been fitted with orthotic apparatus, these will be very useful to your treating podiatrist.
Evidently, if you have your referral letter with you from a General Practitioner, Allied Practitioner, or Medical Specialist then you should also bring the following:
- Medical Reports or/and Referral Letter
- Preceding insoles or orthotics
- Personal health fund card
- X-rays, CT and MRI scans, and ultrasounds
- Old footwear that has a particular wear patterns
- Choice of your used footwear
- Proper clothing for the foot and lower limb analysis
Our general consultations and treatments in St. Albans secure a wide scope of foot issues, involving:
- Foot protection against calluses, ingrown nails, thickened nails, warts corns, etc.
- Wax baths especially for dry skin.
- Diabetic food screening and evaluations, involving neurological checks and digital circulation assessments.
- Cracked heels, athlete’s foot, and other skin conditions.
