Podiatry

Who is a Podiatrist?

A Podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limb.

To practice as a Podiatrist a person must complete a Bachelor’s Degree (usually 4 years at University) and register with a state Podiatry registration board. (Until 1977, Australian Podiatrists were known as Chiropodists. The official name change to Podiatrist reflects the upgrading of education levels and an expansion in the scope of practice by the profession.)

Podiatrists treat a wide range of conditions, including those resulting from bone and joint disorders. This may include problems secondary to arthritis or soft-tissue and muscular injury, as well as neurological and circulatory diseases affecting the foot and lower limb. Foot injuries sustained through sport or other activity are also diagnosed and treated.

Podiatrists are most commonly known for their diagnosis and treatment of skin and nail pathologies of the feet. This may include the removal of corns, callouses and warts and the reduction of pathological toe nails.

Podiatrists play an important role in maintaining the mobility of people who are elderly or disabled, particularly in a community health setting. This achieved through the ongoing monitoring of foot health, in particular of those with circulation problems and diabetes. Much emphasis is placed on self care strategies in community health, and clients are given extensive advice on looking after their own feet at home to the best of their ability.

Podiatrists are recognised as important members of the health care team in preventing and managing lower limb complications for those living with diabetes. IECHS Podiatrists are regularly involved with health promotion talks to people with newly diagnosed diabetes, in addition to one-on-one consultations.

Children’s feet

The child’s foot is not just a small-scale model of an adult foot. Its shape is only determined when growth ceases at the end of the second decade of life. Podiatrists diagnose and treat children’s foot problems by careful examination of the foot and lower limb, and by assessment of children’s walking.

Information on footwear, treatment exercises, stretching, supportive padding and orthotics may be given to prevent foot problems which may develop later in adult life. Podiatrists also treat common problems such as developmental bony injury (osteochondroses) or curly toes.

Whilst Podiatry assessment for children is offered at all IECHS sites, the Podiatrists at the Craig Centre site in Ashburton have a special interest in children’s feet. At this site they work alongside a Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Paediatric Speech Therapist and Paediatric Occupational Therapist.

Orthoses

Surgery

Podiatry at Inner East Community Health Service

You do not need a referral from a doctor to attend a Podiatrist. Podiatry at IECHS is available to anyone who lives in the Cities of Boroondara or Yarra (suburb boundaries exist). Due to the high demand for services, there is a waiting list for Podiatry but those with complex needs are prioritized and every effort is made to see our clients as soon as possible.

We offer ‘healthy feet’ talks on a regular basis to clients who are on our low risk waiting list, and regularly present talks to new mothers groups at the Craig Community Health Centre. We also run programs for people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, and occasional shoe shopping outings for people who are unable to leave the house to purchase suitable footwear.

We have a Community Bus transport service run by the council which is able to pick up Podiatry clients from their own homes and transport them to the centre for their appointment. Volunteer transport is also available to clients on an as needed basis.

Home visits are made for clients who do not leave the home (strict eligibility criteria). Cost for appointments is based on income. Additional charges apply for orthotics and some other treatment modalities.

To obtain a pre-assessment form to confirm your eligibility for an appointment, please contact the centre closest to your home:

Sites:

Other Information

You may read more about Podiatry by contacting the Australian Podiatry Association www.podiatryvic.com.au

Information adapted from The Australian Podiatry Council.