Foot Pain

This condition is a soft-tissue injury to the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the band of tissue spanning from the ball of the foot to the heel. Biomechanical problems are the most common condition seen by our podiatrists on a weekly basis.

Symptoms include: Intense pain, which can also feel like you’re walking on a stone. Pain occurs at the front of the heel and is also felt up through the arch. It can often feel worse during activity and after long periods of rest.

Heel spur is a condition commonly related to plantar fasciitis. This can be caused by overuse or inflammation of either the plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon, whereby calcium deposits form a bony growth on the heelbone.

This type of deformity is a combination of soft tissue and bone abnormalities where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel. A bony lump will typically form due to tight or ill-fitting footwear rubbing on the area. If left untreated, the long-term irritation can often lead to bursitis*.

*Bursitis is a term given when the fluid-filled sac—located between the tendon and the bone—becomes inflamed.

Symptoms: Pain and a lumpy protrusion in the heel at the Achilles tendon insertion points.

Treatment: Insoles, footwear advice, stretching and strengthening, and offloading cushioning in shoes.

Over pronation or excessive supination (the outward rolling motion of the foot) can lead to increased risk of injury as well as pain in the feet, knees, ankles, hips and back.

Also known as over pronation of the foot, flat feet is where the mid portion or arch of the foot becomes lower than the ground.

This is where the mid portion of the arch sits in a very high position, which can lead to an increase in injury. It can also cause pain in the feet, knee, ankle and back. Treatment: We can conduct a biomechanical assessment to produce an effective treatment plan, which may include footwear advice, insoles, stretching and strengthening.

A bunion is the change in position of the first metatarsal—a group of 5 long bones in the foot, causing the big toe to move toward the other toes while the base of the big toe to move in the other direction. This results in a bony growth (lump).

Pain may or may not be experienced as a result of a bunion. They may also cause redness or swelling.

There are many beliefs as to what causes a bunion, although genetics and poor footwear choices are the most common reasons for one to form.

At Killarney Vale Podiatry, we’ll provide an in-depth assessment of your overall foot and lower limb position, as well as a footwear assessment. Our podiatrist will then devise a plan to help reduce pain associated with bunion formation. A treatment plan may include footwear advice, orthotics, stretching and strengthening.

As we age, it is common to develop wear and tear arthritis within some joints with your medical and family history possibly contributing to the severity of the condition. Previous injury and repetitive strain on joints due to work or physical activity and body weight can also be a contributing factor.

Treatment: Although arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed so quality of life is improved. Our podiatrists use clinical research to provide orthotic prescriptions when assisting with knee arthritis. We also give footwear advice to help improve your comfort in everyday life.

Patella Femoral Syndrome (PFS) is characterised by pain at the front of the knee. The pain is often at its worst when sitting for lengthy periods of time, running, jumping, or using stairs. PFS is related to poor tracking of the kneecap when walking and the inflammatory process underlying the kneecap when it is tracking incorrectly. This condition is caused by a combination of factors including obesity, overuse, injury, and poor knee alignment due to poor foot posture.

Treatment: We can recommend possible activity modifications, footwear advice, stretching, strengthening, taping, and orthotic therapy to help with runner’s knee.

There are many causes of acute (short term) or chronic (long term) knee pain. A number of factors may come into play including a tendon or ligament tear, bursitis, tendinitis, infection, nerve damage, meniscal injury, arthritis and system disease.