School Shoes For children 

Getting the right shoes for your child

Shoes are possibly the most important ‘clothing’ you buy for your child. A child can wear clothes that are too small or large, be uncomfortable but not get long term problems from them. However not wearing the right shoes can cause long term and even permanent damage to your child’s feet. Gait compensation as a result of foot pain and deformity can lead to painful knees, hips and lower backs. No wonder there are so many teenagers and young adults with painful knees and backs!

Therefore, getting the right shoes for your children is a responsibility that should be a high priority for all parents. Many parents rush to the shop, especially just before school start, and are shopping for the cheapest shoes. This is not advisable as sturdy, good quality shoes are oftentimes a little dearer. Following is a guide for parents when getting shoes for their children and also how to maintain good foot...

What does a podiatrist do?

To become a podiatrist you must study a 3 year degree before you can start treating patients. Podiatrists have been trained to diagnose and treat all lower limb, feet abnormalities, knees and hip conditions. The focus during training is on helping to prevent or correct different kinds of deformity and pain and to help to keep people mobile, active and pain free. The training is also focused on rehabilitation in lower limb injuries.  

Many people have heard about us, but do not have a clear indication on what we do. people with foot injuries are unsure on who to turn to for help or where to go, most people will turn to their gp’s for help, or go to the nearest hospital or physiotherapist. But you should see a podiatrist, they work with all ages including, children, adults, and the elderly. Most of the time that foot pain is left untreated or undiagnosed there can be further problems or complications.

Now that we are called podiatrists...

Our big toes take 50% of our body weight when we walk and help us to balance. Big Toes are often ignored unless there is pain or a problem. Most toe pain are a result of injury or minor underlying medical conditions. Most toe pain conditions can be treated. Please find some information below on why you may be getting toe pain.

 Bunions:

Bunions can become very painful over time if left untreated. Bunions are bony bumps that form on the side of the big toe joint.

If you notice that

• your feet are changing shape
• there is a prominent bump at the side and base of the big toe
• the toe is pointing towards your other toes
• hard or swollen area that is red

Sometimes you may also get pain along the side of the joint or toe. These are clear signs that you have developed a bunion. Bunions do not go away on there own but there are certain things you can do to ease the pain. Wear wide shoes with an adjustable strap or lace, and a small heel.  Apply ice to the bunion for 5...

8 Simple Ways To Avoid Exercise Induced Injury

Being able to run means a lot to many patients. Both for their physical and mental health. This article may give you some tips on how to specifically avoid a running injury,  upon resuming exercise after a prolonged period of time away from exercise.

Running injuries that include lower limb tendinopathies (achilles & plantar fascia), calf/knee pain,  and lower back pain, are often sustained during an attempt to try and get "fit and healthy" again after a spell of not exercising.  

For the most part, the majority of injuries are due to a rapid increase in exercise volume and intensity from previous levels of physical activity. However, a majority of these injuries could have also been prevented with an appropriate exercise plan.

So without further ado, here are my 8 pieces of friendly advice to minimise your chances of getting injured so that you can stick to your New Year's resolution of getting fit...

Ingrowing Toe Nail Treatment

In-growing toenails are more common than you think. We often see patients who have struggled with a painful toenail that became infected. They then go and see the GP who offers them antibiotics. This can sometimes just temporarily solve the problem, and the pain returns once the antibiotics wear off.

This article should inform you of what an ingrown toenail is, how you might get an ingrown toenail, and how to treat this problem.

Characteristics of an in growing nail

• Painful toe with or without wearing shoes. Can be painful when walking
• red and inflamed skin on side of the nail

Infection in the Toe

Infection may be present where the nail may have the following addition of symptoms:

• Strong odour
• Swelling
• Redness
• Puss produced from the bulging skin
• Very painful to touch, in shoes or walking

Causes of an Ingrown Toenail

• Tight shoes or shoes that are not your size
• Trauma to the nail, this could be a sports injury, dropping heavy...

Footwear- Chose The Right Shoes 

As podiatrists we get questions every day on what type of shoes are going to help their foot work better and help them to get pain free. We are getting this question more and more frequently.

This suggests that podiatrists are doing their job of educating the public and is a reason to be encouraged! 

As foot wear is the cause of up to half of all foot problems, it certainly is a pertinent question. Studies have shown that 75% of women wear a size too small!! Sorry ladies ... it's true.

A quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet and all these structures should be allowed to have some natural movement when we walk and stand during the day. Too much restriction and you will start getting foot pain. 

Podiatrists are experts at checking and recommending shoes and making sure you get the right shoe size for your feet!
High-heeled shoes are probably the worst type of shoes to wear if you have foot pain as they transfer all your...

Treating Foot Pain With Orthoses

Foot pain is tricky to treat without a Podiatrist!! Yes you read that right... 

Podiatrists have studied the foot...for three years... at university..

We know what will get you better, and what will not. The many small structures of the foot can become painful if not working properly ...surprisingly as great load and stress is put through them at each and every step. 

Many people haven't heard of orthotics...arch supports or insoles...but as podiatrists and specialists of the foot and ankle we supply these every day  to get our patients better. 

We see every day how foot pain can stop you enjoying your favourite activities. Whether it's walking, running or tennis.. a foot pain can ruin your enjoyment and confidence. 

What is an orthotic or arch support?

An orthotic device is an arch support or inner sole that fits into your shoe to help heal your foot pain. They are made from moulded plastic/EVA, cork, foam, and many...

Foot pain can be very difficult to understand. One day there is no pain...and the next... your limping .. 

The foot contains 26 bones 30 joints and more than 100 muscles tendons and ligament... so there are a lot of structures that can go wrong. The problem we have is that the foot lands heavy on the ground every time we take a step... and we need to stand up and walk... right ?

And therein lies the problem; if you've managed to get yourself an injury the body has no way of getting better as your constantly taking steps on the ground..and stopping the foot getting better. 

As a podiatrist we see this very often in the clinic. The mere act of walking aggravates the pain and the problem. 

This is where orthotics come in.. orthotics - arch supports - are shaped in such a way as to support your foot. They fit into your shoe and help support your injured areas. They put the pressure elsewhere or redistribute the pressure from the ground to a bigger area of the foot. 

Choosing the right foot wear can be tricky if you don't know what you

are looking for. Keeping your feet comfortable and safe during the day is

what your shoes have been made for. 

However many people across the country are either choosing to wear

poorly made shoes for their demands or are being asked to wear poor

shoes for comfort and safety in the workplace. 

Professions that involve standing most of the day such as nurses,

teachers, carpenters and builders are particularly vulnerable to ill fitting

and designed shoes. 

If you are getting pain in your foot or your looking to improve your

current foot wear, then - a good shoe has:

• A supportive and cushioned sole 
• An adjustable strap or laces across the mid foot
• The sole of the shoe bends where the big toe joint is
• A wide enough and deep enough toe box so your toes can move around

 Getting the right fit for your foot can be challenging. A knowledgeable

and skilled shop assistant should...

Getting the right shoes for your child

 Shoes are possibly the most important ‘clothing’ you buy for your child. A child can wear clothes that are too small or large, be uncomfortable but not get long term problems. However not wearing the right shoes can cause long term and even permanent damage to your child’s feet. Gait compensation as a result of foot pain and deformity can lead to painful knees, hips and lower backs. No wonder there are so many teenagers and young adults with painful knees and backs!

 Therefore, getting the right shoes for your children is a responsibility that should be a high priority for all parents. Many parents rush to the shop, especially just before school start, and are shopping for the cheapest shoes. This is not advisable as sturdy, good quality shoes are oftentimes a little dearer. Following is a guide for parents when getting shoes for their children and also how to maintain good foot health.