Engadine Podiatry and The Hand & Foot Clinic

Engadine Podiatry and The Hand & Foot Clinic

In the Hand and Foot Clinic Engadine, our Podiatrists specialise in the care and treatment for all foot and leg problems in our clinic or your home. We have a stringent infection control policy ensuring all our instruments are sterilised for each and every patient. All our Podiatrists have attained a minimum Bachelor Degree in Podiatry and are active members of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) and the Australasian Podiatry Council.

Furthermore, all our Podiatrists are registered, fully insured and committed to continuing professional education maintaining full accredited Podiatrist certification.

• Open 6 days a week -from Monday to Friday between 8am - 6pm and Saturdays by appointment only.
• Private hospital, Aged Care Facility and Private Home visits.
• Satellite Clinic services available at a reduced price or bulk billing for eligible patients.
• Air Conditioned, 2 Private treatment rooms,Complimentary coffee, tea and light refreshments on arrival.
• Full access ground level clinic with no stairs and internal toilets.
• One and two hour parking at the front door, four hour council car park at rear.
• Directly opposite Engadine railway station and adjacent to bus and taxi ranks.
• Claim on the spot with our HICAPS health fund machine.
• Payment available through credit,eftpos,cash and cheque.
• Medicare rebates for eligible patients with Enhanced Primary Care referral from your GP is needed.
• All our Podiatrists are fully approved for all Veterans’ Affairs treatments including footwear provision.
• Reminder appointment calls, texts provided to all patients on request

Common conditions & services we provide:

• Home, Aged Care Facility and Private Hospital visits in the St George, Sutherland and Engadine area.
• Foot ulcers
• Full Diabetes Assessment (with report written to doctor)
• Medical Grade Footwear Prescriptions (Veteran’s Affairs)
• Ingrown toenails, fungal nails and general nail care
• Plantar Fasciitis and Heel pain
•. Taping advice
• Foot Mobilisation
• Dry needling
• Corns and Calluses
• Warts
• Children’s / Paediatrics foot checks
• Tinea / Athlete’s foot
• Dry and Fissured Heels
• Biomechanical assessments including flat feet, heel pain and arch pain
• Sports Podiatry
• Orthotic therapy

Please feel free to ask about our Satellite Clinic services at a reduced price or bulk billing for eligible patients.


Helpful information- Why you should see a Podiatrist:

The foot is a complex structure having 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments enabling us to stand, walk and run. As we grow and age the structure of our feet can develop and change, so it is beneficial to visit a Podiatrist to maximize the health of your feet and legs and prevent potential problems.

When you have diabetes you can develop a number of foot problems, such as changes to the skin, calluses, foot ulcers, and nerve damage (neuropathy), which can lead to amputation. Reduced blood flow decreases healing and increases the risk of infection. Nerve damage leads to unpleasant sensations such as itching and burning or numbness –some people may even have a foot or nail problems and be unaware of it.

Plantar fasciitis:

Plantar fasciitis is a very common painful foot complaint it involves inflammation of the fibrous band of connective tissue called the plantar fascia this runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot, usually felt on the bottom of the heel.Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps of the day.Once your foot limbers up the pain normally decreases ,but will return after long periods of standing or after being seated for periods of time. It is characterized by scarring, inflammation, structural breakdown of the foot's plantar fascia. Often caused by excess pronation; it is a condition whereby the feet roll over ,the arch collapse and the foot elongates, overuse, obesity or age are also contributing factors,if not treated and over time a heel spur may develop.

Heel Spurs :

Heel spurs (osteophyte) is a small bony growth or collection of bony growths on the back or side of the heel , they may or may not cause heel pain. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone, a process that usually occurs over a period of many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include excessive walking , running or jumping to improperly fitted or worn-out footwear.People with flat feet ,pregnant woman ,obesity and dietetics and those who wear tight-fitting shoes with a high heel are also prone to developing heel spurs ( and plantar fasciitis) more readily.

Bunions:

Even though bunions are a common foot deformity a bunion is often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. The big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment – producing the bunion’s “bump.”
Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which becomes increasingly prominent. Symptoms usually appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms. Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Although wearing shoes that crowd the toes won’t actually cause bunions, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse. Symptoms may therefore appear sooner.

Corns and Calluses:

Corns are smaller than calluses, corns have a hard center which is surrounded by inflamed skin,corns are painful when pressed and are often found in weight bearing areas.
Calluses usually develop on the soles of feet especially under the balls or heels ,they vary in size and are rarely painful.
Corns and Callus are excessive pressure or friction causes skin to thicken or harden over a bony prominence on the foot.
Common causes include footwear that’s too tight or too loose, tight socks or a deformity in the foot.If you have diabetes or poor blood flow to your feet you're at greater risk of complications from corns and callus.
Never try to cut away the hardened corn yourself as this can lead to an infected open sore ( Ulcer ).

Plantar Warts:

Unlike other warts plantar warts grow inwards they are hard ,grainy growths(lesion) that usually appear on the sole of the foot,pain or tenderness can occur .

Athletes Foot:

Athletes foot is very common skin condition that affects the sole of the feet and the skin between toes, it is a fungal infection also called tinea peris it is contagious. Athletes foot may cause foot itching ,burning,pain and scaling.

Ingrown Toenails:

Onychocryptosis, also known as ingrown toenail, is a condition in which the toenail penetrates the skin. It can affect any nail but usually the two big toe nails are involved .Several contributing factors result in this condition ,in which the most common cause is incorrect technique of toenail cutting or cutting toenails too short, from wear incorrect footwear that are too tight and cramp the toes. Ingrown toenails can lead to infection if not properly treated.

OUR TEAM:

Our Team at the Hand and Foot Clinic are passionate about providing the most professional service available with the utmost attention to detail and have a strong commitment to ensure that you leave the clinic confident and happy with our service that we provided for you and for all your future appointments. We are a very dedicated team that strives to bring the most advanced Podiatry treatment available to you, with ongoing professional development programs throughout the year.

The Hand and Foot Clinic has a purpose based upon providing better health care for your feet. Central to this main objective is the development of a professional responsiveness to each patient’s needs. This includes the involvement of skilled staff in decision making processes supported by a quality management system of service. In all our interactions with our patients, guests, colleagues and business associates, we seek to deal with others as we would have them deal with us.