Your Treatment

There are many different treatments offered depending upon the condition you present with. We will always attempt to deal with your condition in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

Orthotic devices

Orthotic devices (arch supports) are often prescribed to eliminate your pain and improve your foot and lower limb function. Orthoses were thought to work by realigning your foot into a corrected position, however we also know that they work other ways. They can improve shock absorption through the foot and limb, enhance proprioception (or feedback to the brain) about your foot positioning, improve muscle activity, normalise foot pressures, and improve foot and leg joint timing sequences. For example with maximum knee flexion your arch should be at its lowest – no earlier and no later. Sometimes these movements are “out of synch” and may be the cause of your pain. Research is highlighting that any improvements in your pain may be due to these more difficult to measure factors.

If required we usually prescribe a soft or temporary orthotic initially. This offers you an immediate intervention and also acts as a guide as to how you respond to orthotic therapy. We prescribe the Footbionics® range of pre moulded orthoses as a fast and cost efficient treatment for you. We use many different Footbionics® models to suit your foot type or condition – thus a “one type to fit all” is not our policy. Where necessary a more accurate laboratory manufactured orthotic taken from a plaster cast of your foot may be recommended. Despite these being made from a plastic material they are accurately made from an impression of your foot and prescribed down to the degree of control required.

Kinesiotaping

The podiatrists at Sportsmed are trained in Kinesiotaping (www.kinesiotaping.com) techniques for lower limb injuries. You may have seen this most worn by David Beckham, and more recently by Venus Williams and Leyton Hewitt at the Australian Open. This taping is revolutionary and proving a huge success on the international sports arena. It is applied to either stimulate or reduce muscle contraction depending upon how it is applied. Given its elastic properties it can also be applied to reduce joint motion. It is extremely thin and virtually skin like in its texture. This tape is both waterproof and hypoallergenic and can be worn continuously for 3-5 days. Kinesiotaping is now available to you as a treatment for both simple and complex foot, ankle, achilles, calf muscle, and knee injuries.

Shockwave therapy

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non invasive non surgical treatment that is used on many chronic tendon conditions. Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated and focused onto the targeted tissue. We use this system regularly for patients suffering from plantar fasciitis and also Achilles tendonosis. The shockwaves are delivered to trigger an individual's own repair mechanisms. Research has shown this to be an effective treatment in these conditions. Sportsmed is one of only 2 centres in New Zealand to offer you such treatment. Extracorporeal means outside the body. The concept behind shockwave therapy is that the shockwaves stimulate tissues to encourage healing and also help to over-stimulate pain transmission nerves, which can lead to a reduction in sensitivity and pain. Usually 3 sessions are required to effectively treat your condition.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in use

Nail surgery

The podiatrists at Sportsmed are also trained in performing minor surgical procedures. The most common is the partial removal of ingrown toenails. In most cases this is performed in our consulting room using a local anaesthetic. This “non incision” type surgery causes minimal tissue damage and requires no suturing. The benefits of this type of procedure are that there is minimal pain post operatively and healing time is much more rapid. In chronic cases a chemical is applied to the growing zone of the nail so that this ingrown portion does not re-grow. Cosmetically the nail looks almost the same as only the portion curling downward is removed. We perform many of these procedures each week with extremely good results.

Footwear prescription

For the consumer purchasing footwear there has never been so many shoes to choose from. All too often it is the shoes patients wear that can cause their pain to develop. Inappropriate, unsupportive or excessively worn shoes can compromise foot movement and foot function. We work closely with every major athletic shoe store as well as several children’s and dress footwear retailers. This is important as we want to ensure that you get the correct shoe for your foot type or injury. Look at these images of the same runner in different footwear and see how the shoe can either hold the foot in a distorted position (right image) or realign the foot as the image on the right highlights.

Nearly all of the stores we work with will allow you to purchase your footwear under an exchange policy whereby “we can select the correct shoe with you” based upon how your feet function in them. Bring along several pairs of shoes from the shoe store having consulted with them and let us compare your foot function using our Silicon coach software.

Strengthening and stretching

Prescribing our patients with exercises or self treatment occurs at virtually every treatment. Simple exercises whilst often overlooked can have a dramatic effect upon your symptoms. Empowering you as the patient to take control and have a better understanding of the injury management is very important.

Runners are notorious for increasing their mileage rapidly in preparing for an event and yet not increasing the time they spend stretching. Tight muscles are at increased risk of injury – just as weakened muscles are. Running more will not always strengthen your legs – it will make them more conditioned to running longer. Lower limb stretching exercise are available for you to download.

Over 10 years ago a strengthening regime for chronic Achilles tendon pain revolutionised the way we now manage this condition. Research by Alfredson et al (1998) highlighted the controlled negative drop of a calf raise as being highly beneficial in eliminating pain. This eccentric strengthening principle is employed for many tendon injuries in the lower limb. As far as the foot is concerned strengthening exercises using Theraband® (www.theraband.com) is often prescribed. This thin rubber sheet allows the patient to strengthen comfortably at home without having to go to a gym. Your podiatrist will provide you with specific exercises to do or may refer you to your physiotherapist for more advanced strengthening.

Cycle Analysis

Cycle set up is important to avoid injury as well as make your pedalling revolutions more efficient. Using video analysis we review your cycling technique and show you how to improve your riding style to reduce the risk of injury. We can also use Tekscan to perform "pedal force analysis" revealing foot motion and leg force when cycling. Please click here for additional information on this service.

Running Technique

Running styles or techniques may contribute to your pain or injury. At Sportsmed we apply a clinical approach to review your running action and identify any factors that can be improved.

To do this accurately we video your running action and review this in super slow motion. Joint angles and body position can be viewed and compared to changes made in your running technique.

We will only change your running style for good reason and we will always base this on sound evidence. We also have pressure plates and Tekscan – an in shoe pressure measuring system to obtain as much information to help us make informed changes. Please click here for additional information on this service.

How Do I Book an appointment? Just Ring SportsMed to book on (03) 366 0620

Be sure to let us know if you are an ACC patient, New or Returning Patient.

Call us now on (03) 366 0620 now to find a time that suits you or Email us using the contact form