What your doctor wants to tell you about nail surgery

Who needs nail surgery?
If one of the nails presses on or pierces the toe, it’s becoming ingrown. Conservative Podiatry Treatment is the first approach. However, patients who experience considerable pain and impaired mobility due to stubborn, severe ingrown toenails may require a small operation in order to completely resolve the problem.
 
Why do they need it?
Anyone who has experienced this condition will know just how painful it is--- talk about painful infections. Removal of the piece of the nail will relieve the pain and eliminate the cause of infections. Sometimes, nails are very thick and cause pain or discomfort from shoe pressure. In this case, the whole of the nail needs to be removed.

What happens during a nail surgery?
First of all, we numb the area by giving a local anesthetic injection into the base of the toe. When we are certain that the toe is completely numb, we put on a tourniquet (a band put around the toe to stop it from bleeding) and then we remove either a narrow piece of nail from the side causing the problem or the whole nail. Next, we rub in a chemical (phenol) to stop the nail growing back.

When does it hurt?
The injection stings a bit but it is over quite quickly. After that, you won’t feel any pain, although you will still feel us moving your toe about.

How long does the surgery take?
The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, but it may take a little while for your toe to go numb. So, overall you should allow about an hour.

I need to see a Podiatrist because...

At the end of the day...

Toenail surgery may sound daunting, but when performed by an experienced podiatrist, it’s actually a relatively straightforward procedure with tremendous benefits for patients.

We offer comprehensive treatment and aftercare for ingrown toenail problems. Thanks to our patient-focused approach, you’ll be kept well informed every step of the way and have ample opportunity to ask questions, so you can enjoy real peace of mind.

For effective treatment of ingrown toenails at Pioneer Podiatry, please book online now!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for ingrown nails and surgery.

What happens when we cease to walk?

What and Why’s of Gait Analysis explained

Walking is something the average Australian citizen is definitely not giving much attention to. It is one of the simplest acts that many of us do not pay heed to. Our most basic method of transport, but an inability to walk or be mobile can change a person's life drastically. This can impair our freedom, and can also cause major short- and long-term health issues. The inability to walk will create a drastic effect on your health and will ultimately affect you in both short and long terms.

Numerous individuals can move about with irregular or unbalanced step designs for a considerable length of time with no manifestations. In any case, when somebody encounters a physical issue or torment, a typical step can be modified, bringing about strange strolling that can prompt greater medical problems. 

Individuals with an abnormality in their gait cycle may have multiple musculoskeletal issues, cardiovascular health problems, and mental health problems. This is the main reason that gait examination is important not only for athletes but also for an ordinary human being to maintain good health. An analysis of gait helps people recognise the problems a person has in their gait process and also helps to rectify any issues if they have any so that the person can lead a happier life.

For example:

• Musculoskeletal problems (from altering movements to compensate for pain or discomfort)

• Cardiovascular health issues (due to inactivity)

• Mental health issues (depression, loss of independence, etc.)

Therefore it is important to examine gait. When we study how a person walks or runs, we can identify unique movements of individuals, determine normal patterns of gait, diagnose pain-causing problems, and also implement and evaluate treatments to correct anomalies. 

The gait cycle: the basics

The movement of the body during walking is such that while the body moves forward, one of the legs supports the other leg while the other leg makes advanced preparations to fulfill its role as a support structure. It is referred to as the cycle of the gait. The cycle of the gait consists of two necessary steps; the stance and the swing.

10% of the gait cycle accounts for every double stance period, whereas 40% accounts for a single stance. Both of the legs never share the pressure equally when the double stance period is being covered.

A common misconception that many people have is that gait analysis only involves watching how people walk or run or even jog, but they fail to understand that this is something that they practice on a usual basis. There are plenty of times that we go to a shop, and the shopkeeper suggests we buy a shoe that is comfortable or will fit us better, and we still end up not buying the right shoe. 

Modern advancements have made this scientific-based technique quicker and more precise. Hence the benefits of mere gait analysis can never be ignored since its ignorance can lead to many irreversible mental and physical conditions that will be more costly to treat than getting a gait analysis done.

Book Online Now to schedule Gait Analysis with one of our Podiatrists!

Is a stress fracture serious?

A stress fracture is a type of bone break or crack in the bone. Stress fractures occur when a small or moderate amount of force is applied to a bone repeatedly and over time. This is different from a traumatic fracture, in which a significant amount of force is applied suddenly, such as in the case of a severe ankle-twisting injury, which can cause acute ankle fractures, or in a car collision, when bones in the foot may be broken or crushed).

The foot and ankle are the most common parts of the body to experience a stress fracture because we are constantly on our feet. Foot and ankle stress fractures often occur in people who begin a new activity that involves any impact of the feet on the ground, such as hiking or running. Stress fractures also occur in people who quickly increase the amount of a certain kind of activity. For example, somebody who normally runs twice a week for 30 minutes who then suddenly begins to run seven days a week for one hour has an increased risk of getting a stress fracture.

Shoes that provide poor support, such as high heels – which place a lot of pressure on the toes – as well as old, stiff shoes can put a person at risk. Finally, people with foot deformities that change their load-bearing can develop stress fractures. For example, in a foot with a bunion, the big toe may be repositioned such that stops supporting the weight it should normally bear. This places more load force on the other toes, which can lead to a stress fracture in one or more of them. In such cases, the second toe (next to the big toe) is the most likely to fracture.

Jeremy and Phil explain how to get you out of pain!