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Not Just Plantar Heel Pain The long Perth summer goes hand in hand with wearing thongs and being down at the beach. It’s important to be mindful that this extended period in unsupportive shoes can exacerbate underlying or existing issues in the plantar fascia (band beneath the arch of the foot), or trigger new symptoms in the arch and heel. You might have heard about plantar fasciitis, which is quite common and can be a real pain in the heel (literally), but did you know that there's more to heel pain than just that? Let's talk about it. Plantar Heel Pain 101 Plantar heel pain is any kind of discomfort or ache you feel in your heel area. While plantar fasciitis is a common cause, there are other culprits too. One of them is something called tarsal tunnel syndrome. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Sneaky Troublemaker Tarsal tunnel syndrome is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist. Imagine a tunnel in your foot where important nerves and blood vessels pass through. If that tunnel gets squeezed or compressed, you've got yourself tarsal tunnel syndrome. It can feel a lot like plantar fasciitis, but it's a whole different ball game. With tarsal tunnel syndrome, you might experience tingling, burning, or shooting pains that travel from your heel down to your toes or in the other direction too. Sometimes it can feel like electric shocks zapping your foot. What’s Going on Inside? So, why does this happen? There are a few common possibilities. It could be due to an unusual foot structure or an injury or past trauma, like a sprained ankle. Other times it’s caused by pressure from blood vessels or other soft tissue structures in the area. And sometimes it's just bad luck and your nerves get irritated for no apparent reason. Treatment Options: Finding Relief Okay, enough with the doom and gloom. Let's talk about what we can do to ease the pain. For starters, there are some simple tricks you can try at home: · Rest: Give your feet a break. Avoid activities that make the pain worse. · Ice: Apply an ice pack to your heel for about 15 minutes a few times a day to reduce inflammation, or roll your foot on a frozen water bottle to give the effect of ice massage. · Stretching: Gentle stretches of the calf and foot can help loosen up tight muscles and ease tension. If these DIY remedies aren't cutting it, it might be time to see a healthcare professional. Our podiatrists can assess you and may recommend: · Medical Imaging: Diagnosis is key in achieving optimal results. · Orthotics: Custom-made shoe inserts can provide extra support and cushioning for your feet. · Physiotherapy: Working with a physio can help strengthen your muscles and improve your range of motion. · Medication: Pain relievers or anti-inflammatories might offer some relief. · Shockwave Therapy: High-energy acoustic waves are delivered into the tissue to stimulate healing. · Injection Therapy: such as guided corticosteroids or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Surgical Option: Last Resort Surgery to decompress (relieve tension in the tarsal tunnel) is usually the last resort when all other treatment options have been unsuccessful. If your symptoms are severe and impacting your daily life, our Podiatric Surgeons Julie Taranto or Michael Taranto may recommend surgical decompression of the tarsal tunnel. It sounds scary, but it's often very effective in relieving pain and restoring function. 

Hammer Toe Correction Surgery Hammer toes, a common foot deformity where the toes bend unnaturally at the joints, causing pain and discomfort, has seen significant advancements in corrective surgeries. As a trusted provider of podiatric surgery in Australia, our surgeons remain committed to staying at the forefront of these developments to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Understanding Hammer Toe Hammer toes typically result from an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that hold the toe straight. Over time, this deformity can become rigid and painful, hindering daily activities. Indications for Surgery While conservative treatments like proper footwear and orthotics may alleviate mild symptoms, surgical intervention becomes essential for severe cases that impede normal function. This may include persistent pain, difficulty walking, or the development of friction lesions or open sores. Surgery Surgical techniques are individually tailored for each patient, with the majority of surgery being day-case surgery, that is, in and out on the same day and being able to weight bear immediately. The aim of surgery is to perform targeted correction of the hammer toe deformity while preserving function. Patient-Centric Care Our surgeons tailor each intervention to the unique needs of the patient. From pre-operative evaluations to post-operative care, a comprehensive approach ensures the best possible results. We prioritise patient education, fostering a deep understanding of the procedure and expectations. Recovery and Rehabilitation Advancements in surgical techniques contribute to quicker recovery times and improved outcomes. Following surgery, patients are guided through rehabilitation protocols to enhance strength, flexibility, and overall foot function. If you or someone you know is struggling with hammer toe deformities, the surgeons at MJ Taranto Foot and Ankle Podiatric Surgeons are here to provide expert guidance and tailored solutions. Contact the skilled surgeons at MJ Taranto Foot & Ankle Podiatric Surgeons today for a consultation on 9250 1676 or click the link to book online.

Surgical Management of Ganglion Cysts in the Foot: Regaining Comfort & Mobility Ganglion cysts, fluid-filled sacs that often form around tendons or joints in the foot, can be a source of discomfort and uncertainty for many individuals, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. In Australia, podiatric surgeons are well-versed in the surgical management of ganglion cysts, offering patients a path to relief and improved foot function. Understanding Ganglion Cysts: Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous lumps that typically develop near the joints or tendons of the foot. While the exact cause is not always clear, they are often associated with repetitive stress or overuse of the affected area. These cysts can vary in size, and their presence may lead to discomfort when walking, exercising, or simply standing for extended periods. When is Surgical Management Considered? Surgical intervention becomes an option when conservative treatments, such as rest, aspiration (draining the cyst with a needle), or corticosteroid injections, do not provide lasting relief, or when the cyst returns after aspiration. Surgery may also be recommended if the cyst affects joint function, leads to instability, or causes significant pain. The Surgical Procedure: Ganglion cyst surgery aims to remove the cyst and its adjacent tissue. The procedure typically involves making an incision over the cyst and carefully excising it. In some cases, the surgeon may also address any underlying joint or tendon issues contributing to the cyst's development. Recovery and Rehabilitation: Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure, but patients can often weight bear immediately following the procedure and resume normal function within a few weeks. Post-operative physical therapy may be recommended to aid in restoring strength, flexibility, and overall foot function. If you're experiencing the discomfort of a ganglion cyst in your foot, don't hesitate to consult with a qualified podiatric surgeon at MJ Taranto Foot and Ankle Podiatric Surgeons to explore the options available to help you regain comfort, mobility, and improved quality of life.

Are you familiar with the term Podiatric Surgeon, but unsure of what it entails? This month, we’re diving into the history of the profession in Australia, and shedding light on the role Podiatric Surgeons can play in treating foot and ankle conditions. Podiatric Surgery has been a profession in Australia since 1976 and is now recognised as a specialty surgical profession by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Podiatric Surgeons make up less than 1% of registered Podiatrists practising in Australia. They're unique Podiatrists qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures using medical and surgical methods. To become a Podiatric Surgeon, they must undergo extensive postgraduate training and education, dedicating themselves to many years of study, research, and practice to investigate and master medical and surgical therapeutics of the foot and ankle. So, essentially, they're Podiatrists who have levelled up. Podiatric Surgeons can treat a wide range of conditions such as structural deformities, heel pain and nerve conditions, tendon and soft tissue problems, foot and ankle arthritis, skin and nail conditions, birth defects of the foot, and trauma injuries (fractures and dislocations). They will discuss the best treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical (not everyone needs foot surgery), with their patients to help them select a plan that balances their needs and expectations with delivering the best outcome. Podiatric Surgeons have a long history of safe practice in Australia, operating in private hospitals and adhering to the same hospital protocols as other surgeons. So, when you trust your feet to a Podiatric Surgeon, you can be sure they're in good hands.

Dealing with Foot & Ankle Deformities: A Guide to Bunions & Bone Spurs

Restoring Ankle Function: Surgical Treatments for Ankle Injuries and Instability

Shooting for Health: Common Basketball Injuries of the Foot and Ankle

You Won’t Want to Leave These Thongs at the Beach! Everyone’s excited for summer: the weather, the fun outdoors and of course, the beach. The beach means bathers, it means sun and sand, and it means thongs. What many people don’t understand is the importance of a well supporting thong. While many may see this as a quick slip on, convenient shoe, we see thongs as the make-or-break variable for your perfect summer. While thongs may be the ideal footwear for beach days, a poorly made shoe can cause serious and painful long-term effects. Most thongs nowadays have a lack of support. However, this problem is magnified for people struggling with increased pronation. Small amounts of pronation are considered healthy, as it allows the foot to adapt to uneven surfaces, absorb shock and build resilience. But increased pronation can become problematic and can cause problems such as bunions and plantar fasciitis. The thing about thongs is that they don’t have supporting ankle or heel straps, which, yes, is kind of the point of an accessible and easy shoe! This model often causes people to use their toes to scrunch or grab the thong as they walk to prevent it from falling off. This movement doesn’t just cause problems in the toe joints and ankle but can spread all the way to the neck. The main problem with thongs is primarily based around the lack of support on the bottom of the shoe. Most thongs don’t have heel elevation, and elevation can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon which in turn, reduces the risk of developing tendonitis in the future. So how can you kill two birds with one stone? Have an epic summer as well as keeping your tootsies safe for more epic summers ahead? Wear thongs with good arch support. Brands such as Archies are an excellent example of this, providing both structured and comfortable footwear for those summer days. Their entire range is equipped with everything you never knew you needed in a thong. Real arch support, comfy material, adjustable straps, no plugs and super lightweight in a range of colours means there’s an Archie style for everyone. And now there’s even Archies with bling – all the comfort as well as style! Our team of Podiatrists at Junction Foot and Ankle Group love these thongs so much that we stock them at our clinic. Come in and grab a pair.

Don’t let this be your Achilles heel Pete and his dear wife Noreen are super excited to be heading over East for the footy finals! Their brood of children are finally off their hands and before the grandies come thick and fast they have decided to splurge a little and see the big game in style. They’re going Premium Economy! Last time they headed over East was in their caravan pre-pandemic, and the constant up and down onto the step into the van caused Pete’s heel to become a pain in the arse. Pete had been struck down with Achilles tendinopathy, a degenerative condition that affects the Achilles tendon at its weak point. Pete was determined that this not be the end of him. On his return to Perth he promptly went to see his physio who hooked him up with a program of strengthening exercises. While these are super important, and did help some, Pete needed something else….and how was he going to play golf? Pete heard about Shockwave therapy at Junction Foot and Ankle Group from one of his golf mates who had something called plantar fasciitis. Shockwave had helped his mate, so why not him? Shockwave therapy accelerates the healing process of degenerative tissue that has stalled in its healing process. It does this by activating the body’s self-healing capabilities. Along with other physiological and biochemical benefits of treatment, Shockwave therapy stimulates new blood flow to the tendon and surrounding tissue, helping to reduce tendon swelling and increase cell activity to undertake the repair process. It works well on Achilles teninopathy, plantar fasciitis and other tendinopathies. So, Pete began the Shockwave treatment, along with a tailored exercise regimen and modification to his orthotics and footwear. At Pete’s review six weeks later, his pain was 80-90% better and he was walking much more comfortably… just as the golf course was beckoning!