Diabetes assessments

An annual assessment of your feet is recommended. 


Foot complications of uncontrolled diabetes:

Loss of protective sensation
Decreased blood supply to the feet
Increased risk of infection
Diabetic foot ulcers, amputations and gangrene


Vascular assessment:
we will check your circulation and give you preventative education and treatment strategies to manage poor circulation.

Neurological assessment:
Determine protective sensation

Footwear assessment:

A report is sent to your GP highlighting your risk levels and suggestion for frequency of podiatric care. 

Orthotics

Orthotics can be implemented as part of your treatment.

Not all orthotics are the same

There are varying styles of orthotics ranging from over the counter devices you can purchase at a pharmacy to a customised orthotic prescribed by a podiatrist. If orthotics are deemed to be beneficial to your treatment your podiadatrist will then  assess your feet and gait  andwill cast your feet and tailor an individualised prescription for your orthotics. Like your glasses your orthotic prescription may differ even from left to right.

How long do they last?

 

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy also known as “proliferation injection therapy” is the practice of injecting a non- active irritant solution into the body for the purpose of stimulating healing in injured tissues which may be slow healing or have not healed properly. Podiatrists commonly use this injection technique to treat strained ligaments, strained tendons and damaged cartilage. 

What is injected?
Injection therapies can utilize autologous blood injections, saline, local anesthetic and glucose solutions.
The solution used by our podiatrist is a hyperosmolar dextrose solution which is a combination of lignocaine and glucose.

Why not use cortisone?
Cortisone injections can degrade tissue and acts by suppressing inflammation necessary for healing. Dextrose solution has the opposing action and is administered for the promotion of tissue healing. 

How does it work?
The local anesthetic portion of the injection not only relieves pain in the short term but also indicates diagnostically that the injection has targeted the specific area. The irritant solution reignites a beneficial level of inflammation and the healing cascade in old injuries and  can stimulate profusion to typically avascular areas.
Prolotherapy increases local fibroblast and growth factor activity which leading to formation of new collagen which can reduce ligament and tendon laxity associated with chronic injuries.

How many treatments are required?
Typically a patient will require atleast 5 treatments recommended at 2 weekly intervals.

 

Dry Needling

Dry Needling Description