Visiting the podiatrist once a year is a good rule of thumb if you are not dealing with a foot or ankle condition. Individuals who do have a specific condition can benefit from seeing the doctor every few months.
The most common foot problem that a podiatrist treats is heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for heel pain often includes things like stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or cortisone injections.
Diagnose foot problems like skin and nail diseases, congenital (at-birth) deformities, tumors, and ulcers. Treat conditions like corns, arch problems, heel spurs, shortened tendons, bone disorders, and cysts. Make flexible casts to hold foot and ankle injuries like sprains or fractures steady.
Corns and calluses are some of the most common reasons people visit a podiatrist. These areas of built-up skin can be painful if they get too thick. A podiatrist may recommend cortisone injections to reduce the pain. Another option your doctor has is to reduce their size using a surgical blade.
Some of the medical conditions podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.
Working as a podiatrist can directly impact patients' lives. They often offer pain relief to patients or perform procedures that increase their mobility. Many podiatrists enjoy directly improving their patient's quality of life and helping them overcome foot-related challenges.
Before going to a podiatrist
You don't usually need a referral from a doctor to see a podiatrist. However, if you have a chronic medical condition, you may be eligible for Medicare to cover some or all podiatry services under your Chronic disease management plan. Ask your doctor for more details.
Generally, podiatry services are not covered by Medicare. However, if you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or osteoarthritis you may be eligible to access podiatry services under a Medicare enhanced primary care plan. In order to access the scheme a general practitioner referral is required.
Find out what the average Podiatrist salary is
The average podiatrist salary in Australia is $93,393 per year or $47.89 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $80,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $115,467 per year.
As a general rule, it is encouraged to see a Podiatrist for specific ankle and/or feet issues. If you are having symptoms in other body areas along with your ankles/feet, we encourage a Physiotherapist review.
Your podiatrist will safely cut and shape the nail to ease the problem and even remove it altogether if necessary.
In Australia, there are several professions that can prescribe medication, including medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, dentists, optometrists and also endorsed podiatrists. So who are endorsed podiatrists?
Podiatrists can help treat sprains, strains, and broken bones in the foot or the ankle, as they can diagnose your injury and suggest treatment. Swelling, trouble walking, redness, and increasing pain following an injury are all reasons to see a podiatrist.
Some of the most common foot problems in older adults include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, ingrown, thickened or discolored nails, diabetic foot conditions, poor circulation, and heel pain. Regular visits to a podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health as you age.
– Any signs of infection or inflammation. – Nail changes or skin lesions, such as corns and callus and whether any foot deformities are present. – The patient's footwear to ensure that it does not cause any pressure on the feet.
Diagnostic Imaging
An X-ray can help your podiatrist identify problems involving your bone or joints. However, if an in-depth evaluation of the inner structures in your feet is required, your podiatrist may recommend an MRI scan.
What can a podiatrist do for plantar fasciitis? Most podiatrists treat plantar fasciitis conservatively with rest, anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, arch supports/orthotics, night splints, or a walking boot with or without crutches.
Wait, do podiatrists do pedicures? Absolutely. A medical pedicure professional has a university degree and can answer any of your questions about feet. Using medical-grade equipment, they will restore life to your feet, no matter how bad they seem to you.
Benefits of Walking for Foot Health
Strengthen the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles. Increase flexibility and stability in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A healthy weight can reduce the risk of obesity, which can put a lot of strain on the feet and ankles. Increase circulation and reduce swelling.
Podiatry Massage Therapy to Reduce Foot Pain
Massage therapy can be a useful tool as part of your podiatry treatment. It is often used to release tight and tense muscles that may be contributing to your injury, such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis and achilles tendinopathy.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of poor circulation in your feet and ankles, or if you are older and are at a higher risk of developing poor circulation, please seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat this condition.
Nail problems should be evaluated and treated by your podiatrist, who can diagnose the ailment, and then prescribe medication or another appropriate treatment. A podiatrist will resect the ingrown portion of the nail and may prescribe a topical or oral medication to treat the infection.
Does Medicare cover Podiatry? Yes, BUT only to those eligible and referred by a G.P.