Category Archives: Nail

Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown Toenail

BUPA, Children's Feet, Infection, Ingrown Toenail, Kid's Feet, Nail, Pain, private health, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , ,

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, is a condition whereby the skin around the nail is punctured by the edge or corner of the nail. This often causes pain, inflammation, and sometimes, infection. It usually affects the big toenail and is a common condition that podiatrists at Dr7 Podiatry Yokine are trained to manage, both conservatively and surgically. You would want to come to consult a podiatrist at Dr7 Podiatry Joondanna if you have diabetes or any other conditions which relate to poor circulation of blood.

Causes

There are many causes for an ingrown toenail, including;
• Improper trimming technique or tendencies to tear nails off
• Repetitive or inadvertent trauma
• Genetic predisposition
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Poor foot hygiene
While some of these factors are beyond our control, there are steps you can take to help prevent the development or progression of an ingrown toenail.

Prevention

Here are some tips to try to prevent the development of an ingrown toenail:
1. Cut the nail straight across. Try to avoid digging nail clippers down the sides of the nail, as this often leaves a barb that encourages the nail to grow into the flesh as opposed to straight out.
2. Keep your feet clean. This will help prevent an infection in the case of a preexisting ingrown toenail.
3. Wear shoes with a deep and wide toe box. This will reduce pressure on the toes and therefore the nails, decreasing the likelihood of developing an ingrown toenail.

Management

1. If you have a painful ingrown toenail
• Keep it clean and protected
• Soak your feet in lukewarm water soapy for 15-20 minutes a day
• Visit your podiatrist to get the offending piece of nail clipped out
2. How to prevent infection
• Same as above
• Apply some betadine (or a topical antibiotic) to the nail edges and dress with a simple dressing (e.g. bandaid)
3. Signs of infection and what to do
• Signs of infection: swelling, redness, pus, malodour, heat
• If you notice any of the signs above, see your podiatrist immediately
• If you start to feel unwell in yourself (fever, chills, etc) see your GP or present to the emergency room
• If a severe infection is present, you may require oral antibiotics to resolve the infection before the ingrown nail can be treated
4. Surgical management
• If you suffer from recurring ingrown toenails, speak to your podiatrist to determine if you are a good candidate for permanent removal of the problematic nail edge, and to discuss the pros, cons, and risks associated with this procedure.

NDIS

NDIS

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NDIS

National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS for short is a scheme where the Australian government funds certain services such as physiotherapy and podiatry for people with a disability. Dr7 Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Hydrotherapy Yokine, is a provider for NDIS patients and works closely with carers to set short- and long-term goals with a tailored plan for each person. The convenience of having a hydrotherapy pool located within the practice makes it more accessible for NDIS patients who want a physiotherapist to guide and assist with hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.

 

Am I eligible?

  • Aged between 7 to 65 years old.
  • Australian citizen or Permanent resident or have a permanent or special category visa.
  • Need support from a physiotherapist or podiatrist because of a permanent and significant disability.
  • Use special equipment because of a permanent and significant disability.
  • If you need more information, please visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible

 

How do I apply?

 

Why come to Dr7 Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Hydrotherapy?

  • Convenient to have three services located at the same practice.
  • Easy access and free parking bays.
  • Friendly, caring, and helpful staff members.
  • Highly trained and professional physiotherapists and podiatrists.
  • Located in a medical center that has various services such as GPs, pharmacy, psychologist, clinical labs, etc.

 

 

Dr7 Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Hydrotherapy Joondanna accept all NDIS patients who are self-managed, plan managed but we DO NOT accept NDIA managed NDIS funds (Please call reception for billing information).

 

Please do not hesitate to call Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Tuart Hill and ask to see one of our physiotherapists today. Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry services Perth’s northern suburbs including Yokine, Tuart Hill, Osborne Park, Stirling, Nollamara, Dianella, North Perth, and surrounding suburbs. Our friendly Physiotherapists and Podiatrists have appointments available Monday-Saturday.

Bookings are available on our website https://dr7physioandpod.com.au/ (click on the “Book an appointment” button on the top right-hand side of the page) or over the phone on 9349 1777.

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Sports

Sports Therapy at Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry

ACL, Acupuncture, Ankle, Aqua Fit, Arthritis, Asthma, Blisters, BUPA, Calluses, Children's Feet, Chronic Pain, Concussion, Corns, Cupping, Dry Needling, elbow, Exercise, Falls and Fractures, Headache, hockey injuries, Hydrotherapy, Hydrotherapy Exercises, Hydrotherapy Pool Perth, Kid's Feet, Knee, Ligament, Lower back pain, Medicare CDM, Medicare EPCs, Medicare physio, medicare podiatry, Meditation, MMA physio, Myofascial, Nail, Neck Pain, Orthotics, Pain, perth hydrotherapy, Perth Physiotherapy, perth podiatry, Shin Splints, Sports, Sports Physiotherapy, Sprains, tennis elbow, Trigger Points, Whiplash, Wrist and Hand Injuries, Yoga, yokine hydrotherapy, Yokine Physiotherapy, yokine podiatry, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry’s Yokine therapists have extensive knowledge of biomechanics as well as prevention and treatment of injuries from hobbies and sports. The therapists at Dr7 undertake a wide range of sports and hobbies themselves in their own time which gives them  “insider knowledge” of injury prevention and management. Below is a brief summary of activities undertaken by our staff:

 

Katie Starke

Physiotherapist

Katie has been dancing Latin styles for many years now such as salsa & bachata.  Over the last 8 months, Katie has been taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons. Katie is also an advocate of yoga and pilates which she does herself on a regular basis. Katie also enjoys running, swimming, and gym-based exercise. Several years ago, Katie was involved in participating in short-distance triathlons.

Ryan Weir

Practice owner

Ryan plays social basketball and trains for long-distance runs and has completed several marathons. Ryan also undertakes gym-based exercise on a weekly basis.

Luke Richards

Physiotherapist

Luke plays AFL football, runs, and attends the gym for strength-based training regularly. Luke has completed the Busselton jetty swim on several occasions.

Tess Moynihan                             

Physiotherapist

Tess previously competed intensively in outdoor Hockey for many years and trained heavily in Boxing. Currently, Tess is focused on equipment and functional-based strength training, such as rings, and beach swims.

Trevor

Physiotherapist

Trevor has worked for Circus-Soliel on several occasions, providing treatment to their high-level performers. Trevor was also part-owner in an aerial yoga company for many years. Currently, Trevor is focused on jiu-jitsu training, swimming, and trail run.

David Chia

Podiatrist

Dave plays social basketball weekly with Ryan Weir and trains regularly at his local gym. David is also a long-distance bike riding enthusiast.

Chris Gilomen

Podiatrist

Chris plays social soccer in a team in the Hills and also plays social basketball with David Chia on a weekly basis.

 

All our staff at Dr7physiotherapy and podiatry Joondanna are highly experienced in treating sports injuries and providing prevention methods such as dynamic warm-up stretches, RICE treatment protocols, sports strapping, and sports-specific biomechanics education.

From the wide range of exercises undertaken by our staff at Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Tuart Hill, you may even be able to find a practitioner with a common interest!

Please contact our clinic on 9349 1777 to arrange an appointment today or book online at the top right hand of the homepage.

 

Nail Fungal Infections

Fungal nail infections

Aged Care, Fungal, Infection, Medicare CDM, Medicare EPCs, medicare podiatry, Nail, Nail Fungal Infection, Pain, perth podiatry, yokine podiatry, , , , , , , , ,

What is a fungal nail infection?

Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, are a common infection of the nail plate and/or nail bed. Most fungal nail infections are caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that require keratin for growth – nails and skin are the perfect environment for them to feed on.

 

 

 

Factors that place you at greater risk of developing a fungal nail infection include:

  • Use of communal showers, gyms, locker rooms
  • Exposure to moist environments and restricted ventilation of the feet
  • Age – related to decreased blood circulation and thicker nails
  • Other medical conditions, e.g. diabetes or psoriasis
  • Use of unclean or improperly sterilised nail salon equipment

 

How do I know if I have one?

The appearance of a fungal nail infection will vary, but the most obvious signs are:

  • Discolouration – usually a yellow, brown or white
  • Nails have become brittle or crumbly
  • Uneven texture and thickening of the nail plate in more longstanding cases

 

Fungal nail infections can be confused with a number of other nail conditions, so it is always best to see a podiatrist rather than self-diagnose.

 

How are fungal nail infections treated?

Treating fungal nail infections can sometimes be a long and tedious process, so early diagnosis and treatment is important. It is also important to treat these infections as they can spread to neighbouring nails, the skin (known as tinea pedis/athlete’s foot), or to other people.
First and foremost, good foot hygiene practices are a must:

  • Keep feet clean and dry
  • Favour cotton or bamboo socks
  • Replace hot and sweaty socks during the day if required
  • Avoid going barefoot in communal showers and locker rooms

 

For early or mild infections, twice daily application of tea tree oil to the nail plate can sometimes be sufficient. However, by the time most people seek treatment, the infection is more longstanding and therefore requires stronger treatment with a topical antifungal nail lacquer. For the most stubborn infections, more aggressive treatment may be needed. An oral antifungal can be prescribed by your GP, however treatment with these drugs may last several months and they can be accompanied by unpleasant side effects.

 

How can Dr7 Podiatry Yokine help?

The specific area of nail that is infected is often directly related to how difficult the nail will be to treat. A podiatrist at Dr7 Podiatry Tuart Hill can help to identify the type of fungal infection and the best course of treatment.

 

In most cases, treatment with a nail lacquer alone yields poor results. This is because the nail plate is thick and the nail lacquer is unable to adequately penetrate the nail to treat the infection, especially when the nail bed is also infected. A podiatrist at Dr7 Podiatry Joondanna can help to cut back the nail and thin it down with a nail burr to reduce the fungal load on the nail and to allow better penetration of topical treatment. This process should be painless. For optimum results, you will be required to return every 6 weeks to have the nail cut back and thinned down, until the healthy nail has grown out.

 

Total nail removal is rarely recommended as there is no guarantee the nail will grow back healthy, and there is a chance the nail will grow back thicker or misshapen.

 

If you think you have a fungal nail infection, please come in to see one of our friendly podiatrists at Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Yokine.

Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry provides services to the suburbs of Yokine, Tuart Hill, Osborne Park, Stirling, Nollamara, Dianella, North Perth and surrounding suburbs. Our friendly Physiotherapists and Podiatrists have appointments available Monday-Saturday.

 

Bookings are available on our website or over the phone.