Whether you are a parent watching your child walk on their tiptoes, an athlete pushing through foot soreness, or someone who has been quietly putting up with aching feet for years, a podiatrist may be exactly who you need to see.
Yet many Australians are unsure what podiatrists actually do or what kinds of problems they are trained to manage.
This guide walks you through the most common foot problems treated by a podiatrist, so you know when to seek care and what to expect.
For personalised advice, reach out to our team at The Foot Clinic today.
What is a Podiatrist?
1. Heel Pain
2. Plantar Fasciitis
3. Ingrown Toenails
4. Children's Foot and Gait Concerns
5. Sports Injuries to the Foot and Lower Limb
6. Diabetes-Related Foot Care
7. Skin and Nail Conditions
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
A Note on Common Foot Problems
Ready to See a Podiatrist in Perth?
What are the Most Common Foot Problems Treated by a Podiatrist? — in summary
- A podiatrist is a university-trained, AHPRA-registered allied health professional specialising in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis are among the most frequently seen conditions in podiatric clinics
- Ingrown toenails, skin conditions such as corns, calluses, and fungal infections, and nail concerns are also commonly managed by podiatrists
- Children's foot and gait concerns, including flat feet, intoeing, toe walking, and growing pains, are a common reason parents seek podiatric assessment
- Athletes frequently present with overuse injuries, including stress fractures, Achilles tendon pain, shin splints, and ankle instability, with management often including biomechanical assessment, running gait analysis, and structured rehabilitation
- People living with diabetes are recommended to have their feet checked at least annually, as podiatric assessment plays an important role in identifying early changes to circulation, nerve function, and skin integrity before more serious complications develop
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a university-trained, Ahpra-registered allied health professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs.
In Australia, podiatrists are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia, one of the 15 National Boards operating under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Podiatric care covers a wide range of patients, from young children with developmental gait concerns to competitive athletes managing overuse injuries and older adults dealing with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
If you are looking for a podiatrist in Perth, it is worth knowing what conditions they routinely see so you can make the most of your appointment.
1. Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most frequently reported common foot problems seen in podiatric clinics. It can present in children, adults, and athletes alike, and the underlying cause varies depending on the individual's age, activity level, and foot structure.
Heel pain may arise from a number of sources, including inflammation of the tissues on the underside of the foot, irritation of the heel bone itself, or tightness in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon.
In children, heel pain is often linked to a growth-related condition called Sever's disease, which affects the growth plate in the heel during periods of rapid bone development.
A podiatrist will assess your gait, foot posture, footwear, and loading patterns to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms. Management may include footwear advice, stretching programmes, orthotic therapy, soft tissue treatment, and activity modification.
According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb are among the most common reasons Australians seek allied health care, and heel pain features prominently in this category.
2. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition involving the plantar fascia, a broad band of connective tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel to the base of the toes.
When this tissue becomes overloaded or irritated, it may cause pain that is typically felt at the heel and along the arch, often most noticeable with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest.
It is one of the most common foot problems treated by a podiatrist and is frequently seen in:
- Runners and athletes who have recently increased training load
- People who spend long hours on their feet at work
- Adults who have recently changed footwear or walking surfaces
- Those with either very flat or high-arched feet
Podiatric assessment looks at contributing biomechanical factors, footwear suitability, and tissue load management. A combination of approaches is often used, which may include exercise rehabilitation, load modification, and in some cases, orthotic insoles.
The Australian Podiatry Association outlines prescribing and fitting orthotics and performing physical therapy as activities within the podiatric scope of practice.
3. Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. They are particularly common in adolescents and young adults, though they can affect people of any age.
Common contributing factors include:
- Incorrect nail trimming technique
- Tight or ill-fitting footwear
- Trauma to the toe
- A naturally curved nail shape
Podiatrists are trained in conservative nail care as well as minor nail procedures for more persistent or severe cases. Early management is generally straightforward, and most people return to normal activity quickly.
4. Children's Foot and Gait Concerns
Many parents bring their children to a podiatrist because they have noticed something unusual about the way they walk or stand. Common concerns in children include:
- Flat feet or low arches
- Intoeing (walking with feet turned inward)
- Out-toeing
- Toe walking
- Growing pains in the legs and feet
- Tripping or falling more than expected for their age
It is worth noting that some degree of variation in foot posture and gait is normal in young children and resolves as they develop. A podiatrist can assess whether a child's presentation is within the typical developmental range or whether further intervention may be beneficial.
The Australian Podiatry Association notes that early assessment of paediatric foot concerns may support healthy development and help identify conditions that could benefit from management.
5. Sports Injuries to the Foot and Lower Limb
Athletes are among the most common visitors to podiatric clinics. Repetitive loading, sudden changes in training volume, poor footwear, and biomechanical factors can all contribute to overuse injuries and acute problems.
Common sports-related foot and lower limb issues that podiatrists assess include:
- Stress fractures of the foot or shin
- Achilles tendon pain
- Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Blisters, black toenails, and friction-related injuries
- Morton's neuroma
Podiatric management may involve biomechanical assessment, running gait analysis, footwear prescription, load management planning, and orthotic therapy. For athletes returning from injury, a structured rehabilitation approach is often part of the management plan.
7. Skin and Nail Conditions
Beyond structural and biomechanical concerns, podiatrists also manage a range of skin and nail conditions that affect the feet, including:
- Corns and calluses from pressure or friction
- Cracked heels (heel fissures)
- Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and fungal nail infections
- Warts on the foot (verrucae)
- Bursitis and skin irritation from footwear
These conditions may seem minor but can cause significant discomfort when left unmanaged and may sometimes point to underlying issues with gait, footwear, or foot structure.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
You do not need a referral to see a podiatrist in Australia, and you do not need to be in severe pain before making an appointment. It may be worth booking a consultation if you:
- Have foot or heel pain that has persisted for more than a few weeks
- Notice changes in the way you or your child walks
- Have been diagnosed with diabetes and have not had a recent foot check
- Are returning to sport after an injury and want to reduce the risk of re-injury
- Have a recurring nail or skin problem that is not resolving
Early assessment often means simpler and more straightforward management.
A Note on Common Foot Problems
The feet are complex structures. Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is not surprising that problems arise, particularly given the demands of daily life, physical activity, and the surfaces we walk on.
Understanding the most common foot problems treated by a podiatrist can help you make informed decisions about your health and know when professional assessment may be of benefit.
Whether you are managing an acute injury, a long-standing niggle, or a routine concern about your child's development, podiatric care covers a broad and practical scope.
Ready to See a Podiatrist in Perth?
The team at The Foot Clinic in Cottesloe works with families, children, and athletes across the Perth metro area. Whether you have a longstanding foot concern or something that has only recently come on, our podiatrists are here to assess what is going on and discuss what options may be suitable for you.
Useful links
Read more about toe and forefoot pain. Plus our treatment options available.