Podiatrists are highly skilled health professionals who have been trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They also prevent and correct deformity, keep people mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections.
Simply explained a Podiatrist applies the science of human mechanics (or biomechanics) when treating his patients.
Many of us inherit feet that have slight defects that can generate excessive stresses through tissues of the lower limb - during sport or even everyday activities - which may affect skin, ligament, tendon, muscle, and even bone.
Even the spine and general posture can be affected.
Understanding how these stresses occur and treating such conditions requires specialist knowledge, in which a Podiatrist has trained. A Podiatrist can perform a Biomechanical assessment - an examination of the foot and legs and their function. Specialist equipment is used to analyse gait and foot function.
Where appropriate, shoe inserts - orthoses – may be recommended. They may be custom-made for the individual, and can help to reduce the abnormal stresses and also correct lower limb alignment and function.