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A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the
foot and lower limb. Podiatry encompasses a broad range of common foot problems such as corns, warts, ingrown nails, ulcer management and
biomechanical issues relating to structural and functional defects of the foot and lower limb.
 Who are we?
A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and lower limb. Podiatry encompasses a
broad range of common foot problems such as corns, warts, ingrown nails, ulcer management and biomechanical issues relating to structural and functional
defects of the foot and lower limb.
Podiatry is a degree course, with a thorough curriculum of anatomy, biomechanics and medicine based subjects providing comprehensive clinical studies and
supervised clinical practice either on campus or on external placement. Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service is involved in student placement programs. Podiatrists must be
registered to practice, and must undertake a set amount of ongoing professional development in order to be re-registered each year.
What do we do?
The podiatry department of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service treats clients in the following areas:
- High Risk
High risk conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis need regular, ongoing podiatric intervention.
The effects of these diseases, and the medications used in their treatment can predispose those affected to limb-threatening circulatory and neurological complications.
This can result in nail and skin lesions, foot deformity and an increased incidence of ulceration. The podiatrist's role is to assess, manage, advise and undertake
strategies that will help to prevent further complications.
- Children
Assessment for the prevention or reduction of foot complications can begin at any age.
Many foot conditions that affect adults might have been avoided by detection and treatment during childhood.
Podiatrists deal with problems relating to foot development, posture and correcting walking styles.
Children of all ages may be seen for assessment of problems such as flat feet, pigeon toes, irregular walking styles,
bone injuries and muscle problems.
- Biomechanics and Foot Orthoses
In treating foot pain, the podiatrist will often assess the anatomy and function of the foot and lower limb.
Podiatrists evaluate the specific needs of the patient, considering the functional relationships between the foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back.
This evaluation includes joint and muscle testing and measurements, postural assessment and gait analysis, and is commonly referred to as biomechanical assessment.
Abnormalities during gait may lead to injuries, or the development of foot deformities.
If indicated, the podiatrist may prescribe a variety of treatment modalities including strapping, exercises, footwear modification and orthoses.
Orthoses are shoe inserts made specifically for the individual to reduce foot pathology.
The podiatrist is trained in the prescription and manufacture of a variety of orthotic devices.
These generally fall into two main categories:
- Functional / moulded orthoses- these orthoses are usually made from plaster casts of the feet.
They are made using various techniques, to align the structure of the foot in its most functionally efficient position.
- Palliative orthoses- these are often made from a foot imprint called a pedograph.
They are usually designed to reduce or deflect pressure, or to make small adjustments to foot mechanics.
- Sport
Imperfections in our feet and legs that may remain unnoticed during daily activities may become particularly apparent during sport.
Injuries to the foot and lower limb make up a large proportion of sporting injuries.
Common sporting injuries treated by podiatrists include plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, shin splints and knee pain.
- Surgery
Podiatrists are qualified to administer local anaesthesia, and utilise this in procedures such as the surgical correction of ingrowing toenails.
How you can access our service
Due to the high demand on podiatry services, patients must meet eligibility criteria to be able to access the service. The criteria are as follows:
* Clients must live within Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai local government areas
- BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT
- For mechanical problems such as flat feet, bunions, heel spurs, joint pain etc, generally requiring orthoses or innersoles.
- Available at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Clinic only
- Eligibility criteria:
- Holders of Pensioner Health Benefits Cards and their dependents
- Holders of Health Care Cards and their dependents
- Any person with diabetes
- Any person with foot ulceration
- Any person with peripheral neuropathy
- Any person with rheumatoid arthritis
- Any person with a neurological disorder
- GENERAL TREATMENTS
- For problems such as toe nail pathology, corns, verrucae, ulceration, infection.
- Available at all clinics
- Must hold a current Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Card, and must ALSO meet high risk medical criteria
(an extension of this applies to those with diabetes, who will also be seen if they hold a current Health
Care Card or have a current ulceration/breakdown)
- High risk medical criteria is limited to:
- Diabetes
- Significant peripheral vascular disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Rheumatoid arthritis with significant foot deformity
- History of leg / foot ulceration / gangrene / cellulitis
- Amputee due to vascular / neurological complication
- All new general treatment clients MUST have a Doctor’s referral that states how they meet
our high risk medical criteria before they are able to be seen.
- NAIL SURGERY
- Includes partial and total nail avulsion and matrix phenolisation under local anaesthesia.
- Available to all in area by individual assessment for suitability
- Available at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital clinic only
Where you can find us
Podiatry Clinics:
| Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Clinic |
103 Burdett St
HORNSBY |
9477 9485 |
| Pennant Hills Community Health Centre |
5 Fisher Ave
PENNANT HILLS |
9483 7999 |
| Hillview Community Health Centre |
1334 Pacific Hwy
TURRAMURRA |
9024 9000 |
| Berowra Community Health Centre |
123 Berowra Waters Rd
BEROWRA |
9456 3344 |
| Galston Community Health Centre |
17 Arcadia Rd
GALSTON |
9653 2235 |
| Brooklyn Community Health Centre |
cnr Brooklyn & Dangar Sts
BROOKLYN |
9985 7717 |
| Wiseman's Ferry Community Health Centre |
Old Northern Rd
WISEMAN’S FERRY |
4566 4423 |
What are our hours?
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital - 8.00am - 4.30pm, closed weekends
Community Health Centres – 8.30am - 4pm on selected days, closed weekends
How you can contact us
Appointments may be made by phoning the hospital clinic or calling the relevant community health centre:
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital – 9477 9485
- Pennant Hills Community Health Centre– 9483 7999
- Hillview Community Health Centre – 9024 9000
- Berowra Community Health Centre – 9456 3344
- Galston Community Health Centre – 9653 2235
- Brooklyn Community Health Centre – 9985 7717
- Wiseman's Ferry Community Health Centre – 4566 4423
When you arrive
Please let reception know you have arrived at the clinic you are attending.
More information
The Podiatry Department is looking at developing a High Risk Foot Clinic in conjunction with a Diabetes Centre,
incorporating a multi disciplinary team who represent every facet of therapy required to
care for the high risk patient.
We have a range of fact sheets on foot problems:
Arthritis and foot care, Chilblains,
Diabetes & foot care, and Tinea.
Printable version 
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