Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment in Lower Plenty
Foot and Ankle pain treatment at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty - our team treats sprains, shin splints, plantar fasciitis and more. Book online today.
Ankle injuries and foot pain are incredibly common and can be caused by a number of different conditions, including inflammation, nerve damage, fractures, muscle/ligament injuries or poor foot alignment.
Our professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, myotherapists and podiatrists have the knowledge to diagnose and successfully treat all lower limb injuries. Prompt and accurate treatments are essential when dealing with lower limb and foot injuries, in order to not only to reduce and stabilize the pressure on the painful joint tendons and/or muscles. However, considering all biomechanics around the injury are also essential in order to reduce unnecessary strain on the surrounding joint’s (such as hip and back) through altered gait and thus avoid developing any further long term issues once the foot and leg pain subsides.
Some of the most common foot and leg injuries are as follows:
Our Approach to Foot and Ankle Treatment
At Bodyline Health, Foot and Ankle assessment starts with understanding exactly which structures are involved – ligaments, tendons, bones or the surrounding soft tissue – so treatment can be targeted rather than generic. Our physiotherapists, chiropractors, myotherapists and podiatrists work together to address not just the site of pain but the biomechanics that led to it, including gait, footwear and training load.
According to the Healthdirect Australia ankle pain guide, most soft-tissue foot and ankle injuries respond well to early, appropriate management alongside a gradual return to activity. If you’re dealing with ongoing foot or ankle pain, book a Foot and Ankle assessment at our Lower Plenty clinic – same-day appointments are often available and HICAPS is on-site for instant health fund claiming.
ANKLE SPRAIN
▪ Often due to improper landing on foot (weight movement outside the foot during stance, uneven surfaces or improper shoes and/or postural issues/weak muscles).
▪ Severe pain immediately after injury and often a limp
▪ Bruising seen within 24 – 72 hours that can result in black/brown bruising along the bottom of the foot
▪ May see swelling and tenderness at site with stiffness and muscle spasm further up the leg
▪ Slight laxity (joint instability) during movements.
COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
▪ Activity induces lower leg pain, which can be acute or chronic.
▪ “Crampy” sensation in lower leg due to blood or fluid accumulation within the compartments of the lower legs.
▪ Seen most commonly in runners, dancers, aerobics participants and jumping sports (aerobics participants, basketball/volleyball)
▪ Is also seen in people who, for the first time in many months, are in the first few weeks of new/re-undertaking exercise once again
▪ During acute phase pain symptoms only subside once the activity is STOPPED for a short period of rest but can QUICKLY REOCCUR if attempts to begin activity is attempted again.
▪ Often see swelling, tenderness and muscle weakness.
SHIN SPLINTS
▪ A term used to describe pain brought on by fast walking (particularly up hill), running or jumping.
▪ Mild to severe lower leg pain at the “SHIN” due to repetitive impacts.
▪ Seen most commonly in runners, dancers, aerobics participants and jumping sports (basketball/volleyball)
▪ Pain is worst with activity and relieved by rest.
▪ Over pronator (inward foot roll) leading to overuse and stress to anterior/shin leg muscles.
CALF STRAIN
▪ Sudden, sharp intense pain felt in the upper back side of the calf muscle posterior leg region after a quick toe off movement (i.e. going for a dash in tennis)
▪ After injury, ability to walk is altered due to pain.
▪ Bruising in the calf and foot/ankle is often seen.
▪ Often see swelling, tenderness and muscle weakness.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
▪ Strain and/or inflammation of the plantar fascia (sole of foot ligament)..
▪ Most common overuse injury in athletes of both sexes, but frequently seen in non athletic women.
▪ The plantar fascia plays an important role in arch support, and can quickly become chronic if not diagnosed speedily
▪ Often first get pain in the heel/mid foot of the inner foot which is increased with standing, walking and running.
▪ People describe foot as “tired” and “ache”.
▪ Pain can be worse for several hours after short rest periods.
▪ Increased pain with movement, especially when lifting foot to shin.
STRESS FRACTURE
▪ Partial or complete hairline break in the bone
▪ 50% fractures seen in males
▪ This injury is rarely seen but most often occurs in high level athletes during long duration impact sports such as running, dancing, aerobics participants and jumping sports
▪ Pain is worst with activity and relieved by rest.
▪ Increased pain on palpation of fracture site.
These are a sample of the most often diagnosed and treated foot and leg conditions seen by our physiotherapists, chiropractors and podiatrists at Bodyline Health. Each of our professionals have comprehensive knowledge and experience in dealing with the above, but also the less common issues such as – Sever’s disease, Excessive pronation, Metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, Heel pain/bruising and Osgood Schlatter’s disease.
In addition to providing care to Lower Plenty residents Bodyline Health also caters for surrounding communities including Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Watsonia, Greensborough, Mill Park, Rosanna, Viewbank, Yallambie, Montmorency, Eltham, Research, Diamond Creek, Warrandyte, Templestowe, and Doncaster.
If you think you may be suffering from any of the mentioned Foot and leg conditions, please do not hesitate to contact our team on 90174784 for more information or book online for fast diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment
The treatment for all ankle and foot conditions involves a combination of hands on treatment, electrotherapies and finally exercises prescription to stabilize and prevent future reoccurrence. Normal joint motion and release of associated muscles tension/guarding around the ankle knee and hip are all part of the approach. Furthermore, your rehabilitation exercises are designed to quicken your recovery, and our team will tailor your treatment plan according to your history, injury mechanism and eventual activity goals. Regardless the diagnosis or stage of recovery (from post-surgery to new injury) we will provide you with the treatment and long term solutions for recovery.
As a general approach, most foot and leg injuries initially benefit from quick action to reduce inflammation. Inflammation (the red, hot accumulation of fluid first seen around a new injury site) is a vital part of healing. The fluid (containing white blood cells) are immediately set to work repairing the area – but as a consequence the extra fluid in the area presses on a greater number of pain receptors in the area (equalling more pain perception). The introduction of cold to the area helps us “shrink” the vessels around the injury and in turn reduce the amount of fluid accumulation (thus dampening pain perception). RICE is a fantastic acronym to help us first approach all injury sites whilst the area is still in the initial “inflammatory phase”.
Our foot and ankle care covers heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, Achilles pain, bunions, orthotics and nail care. Two podiatrists consult at the clinic, so most foot and ankle problems can be assessed and treated the same week. Book online or call (03) 9017 4784.
Rest:
Avoid the aggravation where possible and reduce load bearing on the area by immobilizing/or using aids (i.e. bed rest, crutches & slings). Take a break from any sports activities and training sessions.
Compression:
Use tape or a bandage to compress the injury site. This helps disburse the fluid accumulation at the injury to a greater surface area of tissue – which in turn allows the body to filter the excess away more rapidly. However, be careful to not compress too tight, as this may restrict healthy blood flow.
Ice:
Use an ice pack or cold water immersions to the affected area for 10-20 minute cycles (or longer if cold burn is not an issue)
Elevation:
To again assist in more efficient reduction of excess fluid at the injury, elevation of the site (raised bed, raised arm or leg postures) better allows lymphatic and blood flow back to the heart and recirculation systems.
Appointments
OPERATING HOURS: Monday to Thursday 8am to 7pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Each individual Practitioner does work varied hours, however, in most instances we endeavour to arrange an appointment for the same day of your enquiry.
As a courtesy, all cancellations require 24 hours notice.
You can view the practitioners timetable and schedule an appointment online at the following link.
What to bring
If you have private health insurance please bring your member card. If you have any relevant test results such as x-rays or a letter from your Medical Practitioner, also bring these with you.
Make sure you wear comfortable clothing. You may be required to remove items of clothing for our practitioners to examine or treat you, especially for xrays. If you have any concerns please talk to your Bodyline Health practitioner or one of the receptionists before your appointment.
Payment Options
Payment is required at the time of the consultation. The clinic accepts cash, eftpos and credit cards
including Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard.
Bodyline Health caters for specific payment options for HICAPS, Workcover, TAC, Veterans Affairs and Medicare – talk to Bodyline Health about these options when making an appointment.
Bodyline Health Medical & Wellness Centre
17 Main Road, Lower Plenty, (03) 9017 4784
Foot and Ankle Care at a Glance
- Who: Podiatrists Ceyda Hart and Lara Kolar, with chiropractic and physiotherapy support, for adults and children with foot and ankle pain, sprains or footwear concerns.
- Where: Bodyline Health, 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty – free on-site parking and fully accessible entry.
- When: Podiatry sessions run across the week, including Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, so foot and ankle appointments can fit around work and school.
- Referral & claiming: No referral needed; HICAPS on-site for eligible foot and ankle consultations under extras cover.
- Book: Call (03) 9017 4784 or book online for a foot and ankle assessment.
Your feet carry you through every walk, shift and sport, so foot and ankle pain can affect almost everything you do. Below is general information on common problems, simple self-care, warning signs, and how our team works together.
Common Foot and Ankle Problems
Plantar Heel Pain
Often called plantar fasciitis, this is pain under the heel that is typically worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. Contributing factors include a sudden increase in walking or running, long hours standing on hard floors, tight calves, worn-out footwear and weight gain. Healthdirect has a helpful overview of plantar fasciitis.
Ankle Sprains
Rolling the ankle on uneven ground, a kerb or the netball court can stretch or tear ligaments. Swelling, bruising and pain on weight-bearing are common. A sprain that is not rehabilitated well may leave the ankle feeling weak or prone to rolling again, so balance and strength work is an important part of foot and ankle recovery.
Other Foot and Ankle Concerns
- Achilles pain at the back of the heel.
- Pain in the ball of the foot or toes.
- Bunions and stiff big-toe joints.
- Corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.
Foot and Ankle Self-Care Ideas
- Choose supportive, well-fitting shoes, and replace runners once the cushioning wears down.
- Avoid going barefoot on hard floors if your heels are sore.
- Try gentle calf stretches and rolling the arch over a ball or frozen water bottle.
- After a mild sprain, protect and elevate the ankle at first, then begin gentle movement as pain allows.
- Build up walking or running distance gradually rather than in big jumps.
For general sprain information, see healthdirect's page on sprained ankles.
Foot and Ankle Pain at Work and Play
Retail, hospitality, nursing and trade jobs often mean long hours on hard floors, which many people find shows up first in the heels and arches. Weekend sport, bushwalking and starting a new running program are other common times foot and ankle niggles appear. Mentioning your work shoes, training load and any recent changes helps your practitioner see the full picture.
Footwear and Orthotics Assessment
Our podiatrists can look at how you stand, walk and, where relevant, run, and check the wear on your shoes, which can reveal a lot about your foot and ankle mechanics. Footwear advice is often the first step. If orthotics may be suitable, the podiatrist will assess and discuss options – they are one tool among several, not something everyone needs. Learn more on our podiatry services page.
Children's Feet
Children's feet change a great deal as they grow, and flat-looking arches are common in young kids. A foot and ankle check may be worthwhile if your child has ongoing pain, limps, trips often, walks on their toes, or complains of heel pain during sport. Bring their school and sports shoes to the appointment.
Diabetes and Foot Health
Diabetes can affect circulation and sensation in the feet, so regular foot and ankle checks with a podiatrist are commonly recommended. A podiatry check may include sensation testing, circulation checks, skin and nail care and footwear advice.
See your GP promptly if you have diabetes and notice a wound, blister or ulcer that is not healing, new redness, warmth or swelling, or any change in skin colour on the foot.
Foot and Ankle Red Flags: When to See a GP or Call 000
- Call 000 or go to emergency if you cannot bear weight after an injury, the ankle looks deformed, the foot is cold, pale or blue, or the calf is suddenly swollen, red and painful.
- See your GP for a hot, red, swollen joint (for example a sudden painful big toe), fever with foot pain, or numbness that is spreading.
What a Foot and Ankle Assessment Involves
- History: when the pain started, activities, footwear, past injuries and general health.
- Examination: foot and ankle movement, strength, balance, walking and, for podiatry, skin and nails.
- X-ray only if clinically indicated: onsite digital X-ray is available, for example when a fracture needs to be ruled out.
- Plan and home exercises: clear explanation, agreed goals and a few exercises to start.
How the Bodyline Team Works Together
- Podiatry – Ceyda Hart and Lara Kolar: heel pain, footwear and orthotics assessment, nail and skin care, children's feet and diabetes foot checks.
- Chiropractic – Dr Phil Mifsud: looks at how the ankle, knee, hip and lower back work together when foot and ankle pain is part of a bigger picture.
- Physiotherapy – Mary Fleming: rehabilitation after sprains, with strength and balance work for return to sport.
- Myotherapy and remedial massage: soft-tissue care for tight calves and lower legs.
If your foot and ankle symptoms are affecting walking, work or sport, call (03) 9017 4784 or book online, and bring the shoes you wear most.