Structural Conditions

Structural podiatry focuses on the anatomical abnormalities and deformities of the foot and lower limb. These conditions arise from irregularities in the bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons, affecting the foot’s shape and function. Structural issues can lead to pain, mobility challenges, and contribute to problems in other parts of the body due to altered biomechanics. Understanding these conditions is essential for effective management and improving overall quality of life.

Common Structural Conditions

Below are some common structural conditions our podiatrists treat at our Sunshine Coast podiatry clinics in Woombye and Sippy Downs.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is defined as the structural degeneration of joint cartilage which lines the inside of the bodies joints. In the foot alone there are 33 different joints, all of which can be prone to osteoarthritic changes.

Limb Length Difference

Limb length difference, also known as limb length discrepancy (LLD), is a condition where one arm or leg is shorter than the other. While minor differences are common and often go unnoticed, significant discrepancies can lead to discomfort, mobility issues, and long-term musculoskeletal problems.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by the immune system attacking the body’s lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis (which results from mechanical wear and tear) Rheumatoid Arthritis leads to inflammation, causing painful swelling. If untreated this can result in joint deformity and erosion of the surrounding bone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis often presents in the small joints of your hands and feet, knees, hips, ankles, elbows and shoulders.

Pigeon Toes (Intoeing)

Pigeon toes, or intoeing, is a condition where a child’s toes point inward while walking. Common causes include metatarsus adductus, tibial torsion, and femoral anteversion, typically resolving with age.

Overpronation

Overpronation occurs when the foot rolls excessively inward while walking or running, often due to flat feet, genetics, or improper footwear. This condition can lead to foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back pain. Diagnosis involves gait analysis to assess foot mechanics.

Bowed Legs

Bowed legs, or genu varum, is a condition where the knees remain wide apart, causing a bow shape in the legs. Common in infants, it often resolves by ages 3 to 4. Causes include physiological factors, rickets, Blount’s disease, and genetics. Symptoms include a noticeable curve and gait issues.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe or Mallet Toe is a deformity affecting the middle joints of the toes, causing them to curl downward. It is typically caused by factors such as ill-fitting footwear, genetics, injuries, and toe length. Symptoms can include toe pain, corns, calluses, and inflammation. Early treatment options focus on wearing comfortable shoes, using orthotic devices, employing splints and pads, and in severe cases, surgical intervention may be required. Elite Foot Care offers expert treatment to manage hammertoe on the Sunshine Coast.

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma, also known as intermetatarsal neuroma, is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes. It involves a thickening of the tissue around the nerves leading to the toes, resulting in pain, a burning sensation, and numbness in the affected area.

Flat Feet

Flat feet or fallen arches involve the collapse or absence of the foot’s natural arch, leading to potential pain, fatigue, and posture issues. Causes range from genetics and aging to injury and obesity. Symptoms may include arch pain, swelling, and overpronation.

Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood cause the formation of sharp urate crystals in the joints. These crystals lead to inflammation and intense pain during a gout flare-up. The most commonly affected joint is the big toe, but gout can also affect other joints such as the knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and fingers.

Understanding Uric Acid and Gout

Uric acid is a waste product that forms when your

Genetic Factors: Inherited foot structures or deformities.
Injury or Trauma: Fractures or sprains altering foot anatomy.
Arthritis: Degeneration of joints leading to deformities.
Neuromuscular Disorders: Conditions like cerebral palsy affecting muscle control.
Improper Footwear: Tight or ill-fitting shoes exacerbating structural issues.

Symptoms of Structural Conditions

Visible Deformities: Changes in foot shape or toe alignment.
Pain and Discomfort: While standing, walking, or wearing shoes.
Swelling and Redness: Around affected joints or areas.
Reduced Mobility: Difficulty in moving the foot or toes.
Calluses and Corns: Due to abnormal pressure points.

Treatment Options for Structural Conditions

Custom Orthotics

A custom orthotic supports and aligns your lower limb putting the muscles and joints it in a position of congruence. Elite Foot Care has a state of the art custom orthotics manufacturing lab on the Sunshine Coast. This allows us to have complete control over the manufacturing process, resulting in

Prolotherapy Injection - Elite Foot Care

Prolotherapy Injections

Prolotherapy, also known as proliferative therapy or regenerative injection therapy, involves injecting a solution into weak or damaged tissues to stimulate natural healing processes. This treatment aims to strengthen and repair tissues, thereby reducing pain and improving functionality.

Ankle Foot Orthotics

Custom Ankle Foot Orthotics are personalised devices designed to support the foot and ankle, correct conditions, and improve overall function and mobility. They are tailored to each patient’s anatomical specifications and specific medical conditions, offering superior support compared to off-the-shelf options.

Footwear Modifications

Footwear modifications involve making specific adjustments to shoes to enhance their fit, comfort, functionality, and support. These modifications can address a range of foot and lower limb issues, helping to prevent pain and injury while promoting optimal foot health.

Moon Boot

Moon boots, or walking boots, are specially designed orthopedic devices used to support the foot and ankle during the recovery process from injuries or surgery. These boots help in immobilizing the affected area, reducing pain and swelling, and promoting faster healing while allowing some degree of mobility.

Strapping

Foot and ankle strapping is a therapeutic technique used by podiatrists to stabilise affected areas, prevent exacerbation of injuries, and promote healing. By using high-quality, non-elastic, or elastic tape, strapping can provide temporary relief and support for various foot and ankle conditions.

Footwear Assessments

Elite Foot Care have access to a broad range of footwear designed for all walks of life at our Woombye and Sippy Downs locations! As part of our podiatry service, our podiatrists are able to provide you with the suitable, recommended footwear options from our own footwear store. Alternatively we

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy has positive effects on tissue regeneration for tendons, bones, muscles and cartilage. It is a great treatment option for acute and longterm soreness and injury. The Swiss DolorClast® Shockwave uses single acoustic pressure waves to treat musculoskeletal and dermatological pathologies.

Dry Needling

Dry needing is a form of soft tissue therapy designed to release myofascial trigger points, which are defined as tight muscle fibres. Trigger point dry needling can be carried out at superficial or deep tissue level. It is used to release these tight trigger points and allow full function back

Foot Mobilisation Therapy

Foot Mobilisation Therapy (FMT) is a manual therapy technique that aims to restore normal function to the foot and lower limb by addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on symptom relief, FMT targets the root cause of pain and discomfort, promoting long-term healing

Running and Gate Assessments at Elite Foot Care

Gait and Running Assessments

Walking and running will be assessed with video analysis giving us the most accurate information to evaluate the patients upper body functions through to their lower limbs. The presenting injury/symptom will be assessed upon relevant medical history, conditions, occupational hazards and physical activities. Once a thorough medical screening has been

Exercise Prescription

Exercise prescription using the VALD Performance Assessment system involves tailoring rehabilitation programs based on detailed biomechanical analysis. This approach allows for the design of progressive rehab programs aimed at addressing specific patient needs, optimising recovery, and enhancing overall performance.

Our Therapists

Our team of Podiatrists have decades of experience treating all hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot and heel pain as well as a range of skin and nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections and more.

They share a passion for helping the community stay strong and active, helping them achieve their ultimate health outcomes.

Their experience combined with the best treatment technologies available, allow us to achieve the best outcomes for our community.

Benefits of a personalised treatment plan

Reduced Pain

Using the worlds best treatment technology and methods, we can accelerate your recovery to achieve your ultimate health outcome sooner.

Increased Strength

With a prescribed exercise rehab program, your surrounding muscles will strengthen and take the load off your affected tissue. The result is lasting pain relief.

Become More Active

Working with your Podiatrist to complete your personalised treatment plan, you'll be able to do more of the things you love with friends and family.

How it works

1. Schedule an Appointment

Book online or call one of our friendly reception staff on 07 5328 3588 to find a time that suits you.

2. We Handle the Details

Our experienced Podiatrists will diagnose, create a custom treatment plan and treat in the very first session.

3. Be More Active With Less Pain

Spend more time with your family and friends being active and doing the things you love.

What you'll get...

Experienced Podiatrists

Our Podiatrists have decades of experience treating an array of conditions.

Comprehensive Consultations

Our Podiatrists will leave no stone unturned in finding the root cause of your issue.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Our Podiatrists will create a truly custom treatment plan to achieve your ideal outcomes.

Communication

Our Podiatrists will clearly explain your condition, providing insight into its nature and treatment options.

Best Treatment Technology

We utilise state-of-the-art treatment technologies including: Shockwave Therapy, 3D Laser Scanners, Lunula Fungal Nail Laser to provide our patients with the best possible care.

On-site Manufacturing

Our on-site orthotics manufacturing lab allows us to do same or next day orthotic dispenses.

Structural Conditions

Common Structural Conditions

Causes of Structural Conditions

Symptoms of Structural Conditions

Treatment Options for Structural Conditions

Our Therapists

Benefits of a personalised treatment plan

Reduced Pain

Increased Strength

Become More Active

How it works

1. Schedule an Appointment

2. We Handle the Details

3. Be More Active With Less Pain

What you'll get...

Experienced Podiatrists

Comprehensive Consultations

Personalised Treatment Plans

Communication

Best Treatment Technology

On-site Manufacturing

Begin your journey to a pain free future.

What We Treat

Our Services

About

Our Socials

Woombye Podiatrists

4/40 Wilson Avenue, Woombye, 4559

Sippy Downs Podiatrists

15 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs, 4556(level 2 in Fairfax Village building)

15 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs, 4556
(level 2 in Fairfax Village building)