Tag: podiatry drouin

22/07/2020
With Melbourne now having returned to COVID-19 Stage 3a restrictions, we will be open and operating as normal at all locations during this lockdown period as podiatry is considered an ‘essential service’.
Our hygiene protocols have been upgraded again, following Health Department recommendations to keep you safe.
  • Strict waiting room limits apply – we ask that ALL patient now call us from the car park on arrival, stay in your car, and we will return your call when it’s time to come inside
  • Sanitisation stations remain in the clinic, and their use is a condition of entry to the practice
  • Podiatrists will continue to be wearing masks, gloves and gowns during appointment times

 

And finally, once again, it is important to continue to follow the rules for testing and/or isolation should you have come into contact with someone confirmed or suspected of carrying the virus, or are suffering any upper respiratory symptoms.  If you are unwell, please reschedule your appointment and we’ll look forward to seeing you back in the clinic once you’re able.
 

We ask that you help us by observing our hygiene protocols whilst in the clinic (and practising good hygiene and social distancing when outside within our community).  We are all in this together so we thank you for the commitment you’re already shown to this, and your compliance to this over this next period.

We ask that you take special caution when returning from overseas travel to high-risk areas and ask that you contact us to reschedule your appointment if you suffer cold/flu-like symptoms or have visited a high-risk country within the last 14 days.

 

If you need to contact us or have any queries or concerns please feel free to phone our clinic on 1300 847 226.

 

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and your trust in us for all your podiatry care.

 

The Podiatry Group

21/10/2015
CAM Walker

Cam Walkers/Moon Boots

 

A Cam Walker is designed to help injuries heal, these can include soft tissue and bony injuries. The Podiatry Group have qualified Podiatrists specifically trained to fit Cam Walkers/Moon Boots. We are able to offer same day fitting at our Warragul, Drouin and Cranbourne Podiatry Clinics, this way you will be able to begin the healing process sooner.

 

The benefit of a CAM Walker is that unlike a plaster cast, it can be removed at night when going to bed or showering. This is helpful as it can allow for some non-weightbearing movement at the ankle joint which reduces the risk of the joint becoming really stiff after prolonged periods in the boot. This also makes rehabilitation easier after the boot is finally removed.

 

A CAM Walker is mostly used without any other form of support like crutches. However, there are some injuries at the initial stages that will require a patient to use crutches in addition to a CAM Walker. We are able to fit you with crutches if the need arises.

 

 

Some injuries that may require the use of a CAM Walker include:

  • Fractures
  • Achilles Tear/Rupture
  • Plantar Fasica Tear
  • Stress Fractures
  • many more…

 

Most private health funds provide rebates for CAM Walkers/Moon Boots when supplied and fitted by our podiatrists.

 

If you require a Cam Walker/Moon Boot or would like any more information feel free to contact us at our Warragul, Drouin or Cranbourne Podiatry Clinics.

 

 

29/09/2015
Melbourne Marathon Podiatry Tips

Melbourne Marathon Podiatry Tips

 

At The Podiatry Group we are often asked for our top tips when training for a marathon. With the Melbourne Marathon coming up we have decided to give you a little insight to some helpful guidelines to consider when training and running in a marathon. The internet can provide a whole text book of information from how to carb load before an event to the best anti chafing stick to use. We will let you in on the best advice we provide for runner’s feet during their marathon.

 

 

  • Get your runners professionally fitted. There are stores like Active Feet who are highly trained to fit running shoes. They can observe your running and walking patterns on a treadmill to better assess which shoe is most appropriate for you. Remember that runners will only last on average between 600-800kms so if you have been training hard make sure that by the time you reach your marathon day, your shoes still have life in them. If you are considering purchasing a new pair of shoes before your marathon, make sure that you have enough time to wear them in slowly before the big day. This means that you should have them at least 2 weeks before your event and begin wearing them in at home for a few hours and gradually progressing to a walk then a run. If you are purchasing the same brand and style as your last shoe make sure you speak with the person selling you your shoes to see if there have been any significant changes between the last and latest model. Sometimes the heel height (heel pitch) of a shoe will reduce or increase compared to the forefoot. This may alter the way that you run and impact the style of running you have trained for. At The Podiatry Group we are able to help assess your runners and ensure they are the right shoe for your running style and technique.

 

  •  Make sure you have the right socks. This may seem a silly statement; some of you may think that all socks are equal. We are here to tell you that they are not. There are socks that are designed to help prevent blistering. A small blister might not seem too daunting, but over a 42km run it can slowly but surely cause you more discomfort then you could imagine. There are socks that are specifically designed to wick moisture away from the feet leaving them dry. Some brands that are able to do this are Thorlo, Wigwam and Injinji.

 

  •  Make sure your nails are cut! Cut your nails before an event but leave 1mm of nail growth at the end (1mm of the white part of the nail), this will ensure you don’t cut the too short and bleed causing a bit of a mess and some sore toes before you even begin running. This will also help minimise the risk of your nails going black from bruising or even losing your nails after a marathon. Sometimes our nails get blackened or fall off after an event like a marathon from repetitive micro-trauma. This can be where our toes hit the end of our shoes when running causing micro damage to the nail. This can also be due to our shoes not being laced properly.

 

  •  Get rid of that build up of hard skin! If you have callous on your feet then odds are you have a lot of pressure and friction occurring at that site. If you would like this professionally removed then contact us. If you only have a small amount and think you can manage yourself then the best way is to use a pumice stone. A pumice stone must be used wet (in the bath or shower), it is best used if you rub the pumice stone on a cake of soap and then on the hardened skin until you have taken enough off.

 

  •  Compression stockings can help aid recovery time. It has been shown that an average persons calf will expand in diameter after standing for 1-3 hours. As such, you can imagine that when running a marathon (which could take anywhere between 3-5 hours depending on your speed) your calf will expand and could cause discomfort and a feeling of fatigue. We recommend that all runners consider compression stockings. Please note that we strongly advise that a runner come in for an assessment before using a high grade compression stocking.

 

  •  Have fun! You may choose to run a marathon only once in your life or you may be crazy enough to run many times. Our most important tip we could give you is to enjoy it. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are, all those training sessions, all that blood sweat and tears, just don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

 

 

If you are training for a marathon and want to speak with one of our Podiatrists then you can contact us. We have Podiatry Clinics located in Cranbourne, Drouin and Warragul.

18/09/2015

How to choose the right runner for you?

 

Choosing a new pair of runners can be overwhelming. Sometimes we look at our old and faithful runners and think maybe they’ll last me another 12 months, they don’t look too bad? Think again. Runners will only hold up on average for 600-800 kilometres. So if you run around 5 kilometres, three times a week and do no other training in your runners, then they should last you approximately 12 months. However, if you do this amount of running as well as using them every weekend then there life will be much shorter.

 

At the 12 month mark a shoe often looks in good condition from the outside, but it is the midsole that we cannot see that begins to break down and lose support. The shoe’s ability to absorb shock and provide cushioning begins to deteriorate as the shoe gets older and more worn.

 

Once we have come to terms with the fact that we need a new pair of runners where do we go? The bright lights and fancy colours on the shelves in the footwear stores may mesmerise us for a moment but it is important to keep our cool and that we don’t just choose a shoe based on it’s appealing colours.

 

Even your favourite shoe that you have worn for the last season may have changed. It may have changed weight; some will even try to drop by 20 grams, it may have changed material and therefore support. It is important that when choosing a runner you are aware of the support you require. Some runners are classed as neutral; providing cushioning and some are considered in the control category; providing differing levels of support. A runner with a higher arch and neutral running gait might be more suited to a neutral style of runner whereas a runner with a flatter foot and a pronated (rolled in) gait might be more suited to a control style of runner.

 

The first step before lunging head first in to the world of running shoe reviews on Google, is to have your gait (walking and running pattern) assessed by a podiatrist or by a footwear store with the capability and experience in assessing gait. This way you can be advised on a shoe that is best suited to your needs. This will include your running style, training surfaces, distance and goals. Then you can be confident that your money will be well spent- let’s be honest, the latest pair of high end runners cost a little more than a loaf of bread. You want to make sure you will like it before you buy it!

 

If you are serious about running then get your gait professionally assessed by The Podiatry Group and give yourself the best possible chance to enjoy your runs with the comfort and reliability of a good shoe.