Are you suffering from big toe pain?
Does this sound like you – “My big toe is constantly aching. Sometimes it almost locks up & I can’t bend it. And I can’t wear my high heel shoes anymore”. Big toe pain is extremely common but often gets neglected & can require surgery if left untreated.
The top 3 causes of big toe pain are:
1. bunions – the big toe leans towards the 2nd toe & creates a prominence or “bump” on the side of the big toe causing shoe pressure & pain.
2. arthritis – is often associated with having bunions but can also occur due to pressure applied to the joint.
3. gout – the joint will generally be swollen, red & warm to touch.
Can you treat big toe pain yourself? The simplest option for big toe joint pain is to wear shoes that are adequate in length & width so they don’t press on the toe. But this really is not addressing the underlying causes.
Seeing one of our Podiatrists will allow us to learn the cause of the pain & then the options to treat the pain & get you back to exercising. The big toe joint is fundamental to being able to walk & when there is a problem with this joint, it can lead to problems developing in other areas such as the ankle, knee, hip & even lower back. A simple way to understand this is consider the foot as being the foundation of the body – when the foot is not functioning properly such as when you have big toe joint pain, it affects the rest of the body. So it’s important not to neglect big toe joint pain – it’s a small joint, but has big effects on the rest of the body.
If you are experiencing big toe pain, call our clinic or make an appointment today by clicking on the “Make an Appointment” button.
Professional Podiatry Services in Adelaide
What to expect at your consultation
When you see one of our Podiatrists at Healthy Life Foot Clinic, you’ll not only feel welcomed but confident in their care.
We’ll initially take the time to learn about you and your problem and how it’s affected you and what it’s stopping you from doing. We will then take a thorough history and perform a detailed examination to determine what’s wrong and the cause of your problem.
Part of the examination will involve observation of your walking which may also include the use of video or Gaitscan (this measures the pressure applied under your feet). We may also refer you for further xrays or ultrasound if indicated.
Finally, we will give you a plan which will clearly detail what the problem is, why it’s there and what we will do to get you back to doing what you love as quickly as possible. Treatment will vary according to your problem but may include a combination of hands on therapy (foot mobilisation and dry needling), strapping, exercise, footwear advice, laser, orthotic therapy and general foot care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a couple of our most frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please contact us and we will be more than happy to answer any further questions.
When you have any contact with Healthy Life Foot Clinic, you will always feel welcomed and cared for. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by one of our friendly team. You may need to complete some paperwork but you’ll be seen on time. Jo, Tessa or Mark (our 3 amazing Podiatrist’s) will take extra special care of you immediately. They will take the time to listen to your concerns, find out what the pain or problem is stopping you from doing, thoroughly assess what’s wrong and then explain all of this in non-technical ways.
Where possible, we will always provide some form of treatment to try and get you more comfortable straight away. You will also always leave with a clear written plan of any further treatment required, costs and importantly anything you need to do such as exercises, footwear etc.
When you visit us, always wear clothing that is comfortable. We frequently as part of our assessment need to observe you walking so wearing pants that roll up above your ankles.
Please bring any recent xrays or scans of your foot and ankle. If you have any old insoles, arch supports or orthotics then bringing them will be helpful. A list of medications is important to see and lastly please bring at least one other pair of shoes as footwear often will give us clues as to what may be wrong with your feet.
If you have private health cover with Podiatry, then you will generally be able to receive a rebate on your visit or services provided. If you are unsure if you are covered, we encourage you to contact your health insurer for more information. We have onsite HICAPS facilities so we can process your claim on the spot.
No you don’t need a referral to see a Podiatrist. As a primary health care provider, you do not need to see your GP prior to making an appointment with us.
Podiatry consultations and services are covered under private health insurance. If you are referred to us by your GP with a Medicare referral, there will be a gap. For further information please contact the clinic so we can learn more about your problem and then give you a specific on fees.
