Blog
A couple of months ago a young 10 year old girl Jessica presented to the clinic as her mother was concerned about her feet. Her mother had told me since the age of 3 Jess had always walked with her feet turning in. She had taken her daughter when she was 3 years old to a GP who then referred her to a paediatrician. The paediatrician told the mother not to worry she will grow out of it and to come back in three years time.
intoeing gait
She returned when Jess turned 6 to the paediatrician, Jess was still walking pigeon toed and often tripping over. The paediatrician once again said not to worry then commenting “but if you are really worried then see a podiatrist”. At the age of 7 she saw a podiatrist who told her “nothing can be done” and “not to worry she will grow out of it” again!
The mother was getting extremely frustrated with the lack of help she had been receiving, she felt frustrated and let down. Finally after receiving no relief from these other well meaning health professionals she made an appointment for Jess to see us at A step ahead foot and ankle care.
While examining this really happy and bright girls gait, it became apparent to us that something should be done. On discussing this with the mum she replied “you have no idea how many people I have seen before coming to you”! The mother was relieved that after all these years someone had provided her with an answer and the possibility of a proactive treatment plan for Jessica. In this case we recommended orthotic therapy and stretching exercises to help with the in-toed gait and the tripping. It appeared as if this was a form of relief for the Jess’s mum, she had suspected something should have been done, yet all the previous professionals had done nothing!
Its pleasing to report that we have reviewed Jess again recently, she is doing her exercises and her in-toed gait is a lot less dramatic. She is also now doing very well at sports! Jess’s mum reports a happier little girl who is tripping less and smiling more!
For all your Foot and Lower Limb Care needs, come and see us at:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Care
24 Phillip Street, St Marys; or
Suite 4, 36 Woodriff Street, Penrith
www.astepahead.com.au
* All names and identities in our blogs and websites are changed to protect our patients privacy. Not all cases respond the same and this may be taken as an example only of one case. Should you or a relative suffer from this or other conditions it is essential to have a thorough case history and assessment undertaken before a diagnosis and treatment plan can be established for you.
Blog
A couple of weeks ago a lovely lady presented to me with horribly bad heel pain. She has been putting up with it for a few months. She works in a hotel where she is busy attending to other people with little time for her to attend to herself.
She had seen a doctor whom sent her for an x-ray, the x-ray showed a spur and the doctor said there can’t be anything done. This doctor prescribed her pain killers and even though taking these she still felt pain. It wasn’t until she saw another doctor who gave a referral
Heel pain relief for chronic Heel pain patients are available at our heel pain clinic
to our clinic A step ahead foot and ankle care.
When looking at X-rays many times you can see spurs on the heel bone or calcaneus. Most people ,often including family GP’s don’t understand that a spur can exist without pain. It is most often the soft tissue structures that cause pain. When we examined the patient, we noted
her feet were very flat one of a few “biomechanical” issues (problems with her walk and running style and
posture). This often effects the soft tissue structures causing more strain to the structure called the plantar fascia causing a condition called “plantar fasciitis”. In this case after a series of tests and a detailed case history we discovered this to be her correct diagnosis.
We have started treating this patient,after one session of soft tissue therapy and taping she has already reported she’s no longer taking pain killers! We have also scanned her feet up for custom orthotics to correct her foot alignment with the aim of these custom made devices being to correct her poor foot posture.
For all your Foot and Lower Limb Care needs, come and see us at:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Care
24 Phillip Street, St Marys; or
Suite 4, 36 Woodriff Street, Penrith
www.astepahead.com.au
Blog, Fungal Nails, General Podiatry, Heel Pain, Kids Feet, Shockwave, Sports Care
We recommend you check your orthotics every 8-12 months! Your custom orthotics are made with your biomechanics in mind. They cater for your many differences in length, width, foot pronation and injury. Over time, these specially made devices start to wear out. The plates that sit under your arch start to loose integrity after a period of time and that will impact the prescription of your orthotics. Kids’ foot orthotics will more often than not need changing in relation to the growth of your child. As the foot grows, the plates become less effective. Remember to get your orthotics checked by your podiatrist on a regular basis to avoid any potential injuries!
For all your Foot and Lower Limb Care needs, come and see us at:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Care
24 Phillip Street, St Marys; or
Suite 4, 36 Woodriff Street, Penrith
www.astepahead.com.au
Blog
Podiatrists offer arch supports to people with flat feet and those with fallen arches. Mr Brenden Brown of A Step Ahead Foot and Ankle Care clinic explains that they are recommended to help with the pains which may be experienced as result of the condition in the feet.
Arch supports can be purchased over the counter. You can also buy the custom made arch supports. As the name suggests, arch supports raise the feet arch; this reduces the pulling of muscles and tendons which are at the bottom of the foot.
The best arch supports recommended by podiatrists are the ones which focus on the three step system of feet care including maintenance, relaxation and exercise. First of all, the best arch supports should therefore use exercising supports. This will ensure the feet are repositioned to the right position.
Secondly, arch supports must make use of maintaining supports which maintain that right position. Thirdly, best arch supports use relaxer supports which provide gentler support so as to relax the feet. Relaxer supports are custom fitted by certified arch support fitters depending on the specific needs of each individual. There are also arch supports for children which are known as arch angels.
For all your Foot and Lower Limb Care needs, come and see us at:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Care
24 Phillip Street, St Marys; or
Suite 4, 36 Woodriff Street, Penrith
www.astepahead.com.au
Dr Brenden’s White paper report on the “6 Reasons You Won’t Beat Heal Pain” outlines what’s stopping you from beating this and tips on how to stop it in its tracks!