Conditions

Heel pain

Heel pain is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis/ fasciosis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis or nerve irritation. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. The most common cause of heel or arch pain is caused by a painful stretching or micro-tearing of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a fibrous or tendon-like structure that courses along the bottom of the foot connecting the toes and heel bone.  Find out more.

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs may occur at any point where a muscle, tendon or ligament attaches to a bone. Generally, a spur will only be painful if it causes pressure to some other surrounding structure. Common areas of bone spurs in the foot are in the toes, the heel, the big toe joint, the top of the foot, and the ankle. Having a bone spur doesn’t necessarily mean you will have pain. The location of the spur and the amount of discomfort determines what we recommend for treatment.

Arthritis

Arthritis of the foot can occur in any of the foot joints. Common forms of arthritis managed my podiatrists are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid as well as the less common seronegative arthritides, eg; ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis. Wear and tear of foot joints (Osteoarthritis) is most often seen in the joint surface of the ankle where the foot joins the lower leg, the big toe and lesser toe joints and midfoot joints. For more information, please click on this reliable link; arthritis in the feet.

Foot & ankle injuries

ACC or privately insured injuries Our podiatry staff at Masterton Foot Clinic are all ACC registered. We can help you in filing a claim for an accidental injury. Our podiatry staff at Masterton Foot Clinic are all ACC registered. We can help you in filing a claim for an accidental injury.

Bunions

Bunions are a common complaint, more so in women than men. Put simply, bunions are the formation of a bump on the inside or outside of the forefoot. For more information, please click on this reliable link; Bunions

Hammertoes

Hammer toes are toes that have malformed or become misshapen. This can happen when there is pressure from neighbouring toes such as happens with bunion formation of the big toe. For more information, please click on this reliable link; www.epodiatry.com/hammer-toe.htm

Plantar warts (verrucae)

Warts, which are caused by a virus, can be quite painful. They are frequently called plantar warts, because they appear most often on the plantar surface or sole of the foot. The medical term is a “verruca.” They can appear anywhere on the skin of the foot or the hand. Find out more

Athlete’s foot (tinea)

Tinea or athletes foot refers to the common skin infection of the foot caused by a fungal infection. It can effect both the nails and the skin and develops when there is moisture, darkness and heat. In order to prevent, reduce all of these factors. Treatment can involve the use of topical oral anti fungals. Oral anti fungals are prescription medicines used for nail infections, and need to be sourced via your GP. Topical antifungals are used for skin infections and are available at your pharmacy.

Ingrown toenails

When the hard toenail presses excessively against the soft skin on the edges of the nail there is usually pain. Typically, the nail presses for extended periods of time and an infection, or paronychia develops. This toenail infection is usually very painful, develops pus, and causes the end of the toe to become red and swollen. Find out more