The Switch group provides a range of podiatry services at our clinics in Penshurst, Concord and Maroubra. We have a very experienced team of physicians and podiatrists with over 65 years combined experience & great written reviews. We focus on providing an evidence based, personal treatment service for symptoms relating to the care of your lower limbs including the foot and ankle.
A podiatrist is what you would call an expert in foot care. Podiatrists help people in the care of their lower limbs including the foot and ankle. It is an are of medicine that is devoted to the study, diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower extremities of the body. Podiatry deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical conditions such as arthritis, soft-tissue and muscular pathologies, as well as neurological or circulatory disease.
Podiatrists are also able to diagnose and treat complications which affect the lower limbs, including skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. Foot injuries and infections gained through sport or other activities are also diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist.
With our evidence based approach to health care means we don’t make any assumptions or take things for granted. We spend the time needed to listen and fully understand your health concerns so that we have a deep understanding of what you would like to achieve or get back to doing.
Injury – Planter Fasciitis
What couldn’t Andy do because of the injury: I was unable to exercise. I love running, especially running for a few km’s yet was barely able to walk (hobble) a few metres. General mobility and bending over had been a challenge and I haven’t been unable to play to the fullest with my young son.
What was the key to getting help with this injury? Frequent appts with a clearly outlined treatment plan.
How was your experience at Switch? Excellent approach. I actually thought I was going to see a physio for the pain as it was also in my calf but I was directed to Brigette instead. She explained the issue and what my treatment would look like and my options for orthotics if deemed necessary.
Now that the injury has been attended to, what can you now do that was a struggle before? Within two months I was back to my daily walks, no pain and my new orthotics make all the difference. I understand the need to stretch daily and that if I have any concerns, I can call Brigette at any time for advice. Had I left it any longer, I don’t think I would have had such an excellent result. Brigette’s enthusiasm for what she does is infectious and I really appreciated her approach.
ANKLE PAIN
Ankle pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present.
Ankle pain may also be due to other causes like a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation or even something like a cyst or running incorrectly
FEET PAIN
Feet pain can be caused by poorly fitting shoes, prolonged periods being on your feet, overuse such as long walks or running a marathon, sprains, strains or trauma.
We can identify what is causing feet pain and even look at other areas like your knee, hip or back that is contributing to feet pain.
JOINT PAIN
Commonly injured joints include knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists.
They can be injured through trauma, general wear and tear, repetitive activities (like tennis elbow), overuse or through overloading the joint. Joints may also be injured as a result of a disease process or systemic condition (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
SPRAINS & STRAINS
Sprains occur when you injure a ligament. A ligament is the supportive tissue which connects bones.
Commonly sprained ligaments include the knee ligaments (ACL, MCL, LCL) and the ankle ligaments (ATFL, CL). Ligaments can also be sprained around the shoulder, primarily around the acromio-clavicular joint.
SPORTS INJURIES
Typical sports injuries include muscle strains and joint sprains and can occur for both experienced or new athletes.
Physiotherapy can help the treatment of these injuries in their early stages so they don’t become chronic and take much longer to heal
What does a podiatrist do?
A podiatrist is a lower limb specialist, which means we will assess and treat all injuries in the foot or ankle as well as everything that can affect them including knees or hips like ahin splints, ankle pain, knee pain or osteoarthritis
What does a podiatrist do in Australia?
Podiatrists in Australia assess and treat lower limb injuries with different therapies excluding orthopaedic surgery (that’s related to American podiatrists). A podiatrist can assess and treat all foot and ankle injuries as well as improve knee, hip and back pain by correcting foot mechanics.
Is a podiatrist a real doctor?
We are the conservative doctors of the foot and ankle meaning we specialise in treating injuries in that area. The only surgery we do is nail surgery.
What conditions can podiatrists treat?
Podiatrists can treat an array of different lower limb injuries including:
– Ankle pain; caused by high intensity sport like netball, recurrent ankle sprains or flat feet
– Knee pain; from weight gain, just started running or using old shoes
– Osteoarthritis; from the cold weather or tight enclosed shoes
– Flat feet; that can cause heel pain from thongs or even lower back pain
What will a podiatrist do on my first visit?
At Switch we ensure that your first visit is all about you. Our experienced podiatrist will build a thorough case history, listening to all of the concerns you have with your lower limb that you’d like addressed. We will then conduct a personal assessment where your podiatrist will;
How long does a podiatry appointment take?
An initial podiatry appointment will include your first assessment that takes 45min.
Follow up podiatry consultations are usually 30min
Does Medicare require a referral to see a podiatrist?
You do not need a referral to see a podiatrist. You may be eligible to claim up to 5 visits a year through Medicare’s Enhanced Primary Care Plan for chronic injuries.
What does a podiatrist do for diabetes?
Diabetes commonly affects the lower limb in various ways. Reduced nerve sensation is a common side effect which can present itself as numbness, burning or tingling pain. People with diabetes can also experience callous build up and skin breakdown under the callous. A sports podiatrist can help redistribute the affected areas of pressure with correct fitting footwear and foot orthoses.
Do podiatrists have an MD?
In Australia and most other countries, podiatrists do not have an MD.
