At the presence of pain, swelling or foot deformities, the Foot Health Assessment will find a skilful podiatrist undertaking three key things.

1. An Explorative Discussion and Medical Assessment: This will include looking at the symptoms and diagnostic data (measurements, Xrays, ultra sounds) related to the problem. The possible causes of the pain and the patient’s comments.

2. A Professional Diagnosis: Forming an informed medical opinion based on the assessment as to the cause of the problems, the degree of severity and future prospects for the condition

3. A Recommended Treatment Plan: A successful plan is based on professional wisdom, cutting edge diagnostic/therapeutic tools and the best treatment options available for the condition and the lifestyle needs of the patient.

   
   Foot and Lower Limb issues can affect many parts of the body. Here are some examples associated with pain:

• Head and Neck: may affect the development of spinal kyphosis.

• Back: Sciatica and Bulging Discs

• Hips: Trochanter Bursitis Pain Syndrome

• Thighs: Iliotibial band Syndrome

• Knees: Runners Knee, Osgood Schlatter’s Disease; Patellofemoral Syndrome

• Shins: Shin Splints; Posterior Tibial Tendinopathy

• Heels: Heel Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciosis; Heel (bone) Spur; Sever’s Disease

• Feet: Hammer Toes; Claw Toes; Corns and Callus; Bunions; Ball of Foot Pain: Plantar Fasciitis; Achilles Tendonitis: Metatarsalgia:

What is a Family Foot Health Assessment?

Feet run in families. You’ve probably noticed! So do foot issues. Issues found in one family member may be evident in other family members as well.

Being mobile well into old age is more than plain good luck or good genes, it is good planning, good body maintenance, effective management of issues, knowing how to look after your foot and limb health and a generous dash of common sense about ways to treat your feet.

Children do, what parents do.

So, set a good example early.

Just as we do with teeth, eyes and ears, start children early on a life course of maintaining good foot health, pain-free mobility and high biomechanical performance.  Seeing a Podiatrist for a Family Foot Health Assessment Prevention Plan is a superior way to start this.

Four Steps to a Family Foot Health Assessment

Step One: Discuss a Family Foot Health Assessment with the Reception Team

• If a family member is already a client of our clinic, then s/he may like to make the ‘gap free’ booking for other members of the family for a Foot Health Assessment. It could even be around the same time to save travel time and expense.

• The assessment will incur with no out of pocket expenses after your Health insurance is processed. Similarly other adult members of your family (parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters) may book for the same opportunity.

Step Two:  The Foot Health Assessment

• In a Preventative Assessment, the Podiatrist has the opportunity to undertake a Full Proactive Foot Health Assessment at a time when the patient is in good health.

• A full foot/lower limb assessment may avert unwanted complications later in life. It will certainly get you started on a new foot health pathway to better management and maintenance of those valuable assets – your feet!

• Family Foot Health Record gives your podiatrist, the insight into your family’s genetic traits and is the start of your Podiatric History. The family profile that emerges shows patterns in family’s biomechanics, common genetic issues (e.g. flat feet, high arches), how different family members respond to particular interventions. It also and get a head start on intervening early. The Assessment provides an insight into your current state of foot health, ways to maintain it, any submerged issues and what can be done now and later to prevent outcomes more serious.

• At each individuals’ Foot Health Assessment, we are able to create another piece of the family’s footprint on health, which helps to predict future issues. We record the changes in family members’ feet over time and adjust levels of care to suit.

Step Three:  What happens post-assessment?

• We now understand your medical history, your activity needs, biomechanical, vascular, injuries, and foot neurology. We can then be proactive in reducing the likelihood/impact of future issues.

• People assessed with ‘healthy happy feet’ walk out the door and get on with life. Annually, we recall these ‘happy footers” for their routine check at which time we can provide routine care as well.

• For people with “less happy feet” and things that need attention, we can arrange to assess, prescribe and treat these issues. To assist the person we discuss the possible outcomes that may occur, with and without treatment.

Step Four:  Having made My Family Podiatrist your family podiatrist, what now?

• Leave the rest to us. We’re here to add value to your family members’ lives. We will remind you when it’s time for your annual check, just like your dentist or eye specialist does. So every member of the family can be looked after without the hassle of planning. We can even block book family appointment times, for your added convenience and time economy.

Take the first step!