waikatopodiatry Archives - Waikato Podiatry

Bunions

What is it? A bunion, or a ‘bony prominence’ at the great toe joint, is a deformity that can often lead to difficulty with footwear, as well as pain from osteoarthritis and even a slow dislocation of the joint. This condition presents as a deviation of the angle within the big toe and the ball…

Heel Pain Is Not Created Equal

Why the cause matters and how heel pain is treated Disabling heel pain is one of the most common foot conditions we treat at Waikato Podiatry Clinic. While many people describe their symptoms simply as “sore heels,” heel pain is not a single condition—and understanding where the pain is coming from is critical to effective…

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common and often stubborn cause of heel pain, but the good news is that most people improve with conservative (non-surgical) treatment. Research shows that approximately 85% of patients experience a successful recovery within 18 months. While that may sound like a long time, the right treatment approach can significantly reduce pain,…

Footwear features to reduce your risk of falls

Most slips, trips, and falls occur due to a loss of traction, in other words, there isn’t enough friction between the sole of your shoe and the surface you’re walking on. While this might sound simple, the consequences can be significant. In fact, over 20% of all workplace accidents fall into the slips, trips, and…

A Ripple Effect: How Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy came to Podiatry

If you’re suffering from ongoing foot or heel pain, we may recommend Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). This treatment has been used successfully around the world for many years, but it’s only in more recent decades that high-quality scientific research has confirmed its clinical effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions. Shockwave therapy is…

Children’s Heel Pain vs Screen Time

Keeping growing feet active: orthotics, foot growth, and managing heel pain in children As podiatrists, and parents ourselves, we understand how challenging it can be to keep children active, healthy, and pain-free, especially in a world dominated by screens. Physical activity plays a vital role in children’s physical development, mental wellbeing, and social confidence, so…

Blisters

Blisters: causes, treatment, and how to prevent them Blisters are one of the most common foot problems we see, particularly after long periods of walking, running, sport, or wearing new or ill-fitting footwear. While the body may recover from general aches and pains in a few days, blisters can remain painful, slow to heal, and…

Fallen Arches

Fallen Arches and Flat Feet A fallen arch, commonly referred to as a flat foot, is a condition where the arch on the inside of the foot appears lowered or completely collapsed. While many people associate flat feet with foot pain alone, the reality is that fallen arches can contribute to a wide range of…

Heel Spurs

Heel Spurs and Heel Pain: What you need to know Heel pain is one of the most common reasons people seek podiatric care, and heel spurs are often blamed. In fact, heel spurs are present in approximately 20–40% of the population. However, the presence of a heel spur does not automatically mean pain, and this…

Causes of Forefoot Pain

Forefoot pain can come from many different structures, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, and soft tissues. All of which work closely together every time you stand, walk, or push off the ground. Because these structures are small and tightly packed, even a slight change in alignment, footwear, or loading can lead to significant discomfort. This is…