What is involved in OUR
ASSESSMENT CLINICS
Here at Killarney/Tralee Podiatry Clinic we strive to achieve the best results possible as such we provide a wide range of treatment options each chosen to best suit your needs.
Foot pain can affect anyone as such we treat people from all walks of life.
SERVICES AND TREATMENTS
Sports Podiatry
People who enjoy sports – whether professional or amateur – suffer more foot-related sports injuries. Running can increase the pressure on the foot by three or four times body weight. The twisting, jumping and physical collisions common in many sports place even greater stresses on the feet and biomechanical system. The cause of many sports injuries is a gradual or sudden change to the body’s biomechanics. Through biomechanical assessment and testing we can determine if your leg alignment and stability are sufficient for performing a particular sport and if there are any mechanical reasons contributing to your injury.
Specialist Children Gait Assessment
We give straightforward, honest advice on feet & what’s best for your children. Our podiatrists are up to date with the latest research about children’s foot & lower limb conditions, in particular relating to gait (walking style) & postural control (gross motor skill development). We enjoy helping & treating children, of all ages move well and stay active. We commonly see children withdrawing from day-to-day activity and exercise because of sore, tired or painful feet & legs. We look at how to improve any pain a child may experience & to adjust their alignment to reduce the risk of pain or future foot or lower limb deformities.
Conditions often seen and treated in children:
- Flat Feet and Fallen Arches
- Gait (walking related problems)
- Foot, heel, ankle, shin, knee, hip and back issues
- In-toeing / Out-toeing
- Limb length differences
- Sports Injuries
- Hammer Toes
- Bunions
Diabetic Foot Assessment
Diabetes in recent years has turned into a global epidemic and has profound effects on the body. Incredibly the feet can be one of the first indicators of any complications occurring as a result of the diabetes. The most common complications of diabetes seen in the lower limb are Peripheral Vascular Disease (Poor Circulation), Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage) and slow healing which can lead to ulceration and in severe cases amputation.
Podiatrists have an essential role in diabetic foot health by assessing, preventing, treating and educating those patients with Diabetes. As such the HSE and the World Health Organisation recommend for a diabetic to visit a podiatrist to have their feet assessed at least once annually.
Biomechanical Assessment
What is biomechanics? Biomechanics is the science of movement of a living body, including muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments and how they work together to produce movement. The biomechanics of the foot can have a chain reaction effect on the overall alignment of the body and can cause pain throughout the body. The podiatrist will analyse the way you walk, assessing your overall gait patterns, as well as checking for muscle activation and joint range of motions.
Video Gait Analysis
Video Gait Analysis helps us to get a clearer picture of how your foot moves through each stage of your gait, allowing us to order the most appropriate prescription orthotic to realign your foot to reduce any pain.
Injury Rehabilitation
Custom-Made Prescription Casted Orthoses
Orthotics are commonly prescribed as a preventative and treatment tools to avoid further foot and ankle pain or further progression of a foot deformity. The aim of a custom-made orthotic is to improve your gait by adjusting your alignment to optimise the dynamic function of your feet.
Following a biomechanical assessment, if deemed the most appropriate treatment method the podiatrist at Killarney/Tralee Podiatry clinic will take a cast of your feet using plaster of paris. This along with your personalised prescription is sent to an Orthotic Lab where a custom orthotic is made for you.
Footwear Advice
Often shoes are bought with little regard to how a shoe is meant to support you through your daily activities.
To ensure the right shoe advice is given the podiatrist will carry out a biomechanical assessment and ask questions in relation to your usual activities, allowing the podiatrist to comprehend what characteristics of a shoe would best suit your needs.
What is treated in our General Podiatry clinics?
Verruca
Ingrown Toenails
Corns
Heloma Durum or more commonly known as corns are caused due to a constant increase of pressure and friction forces to a localised area of the foot. Corns can occur on any weight-bearing surface of the foot or in between the toes.
Unlike callus a Corn is embedded within the skin and requires a scalpel technique to be effectively removed. Many believe the removal of a corn to be a painful process. In fact the vast majority of patients find it to be a pain free experience and after removal, patients report instant relief. Avoid where possible treatment methods such as corn caps/plasters as these contain an acid that can be harmful especially to diabetic patients and can make the problem worse.
