Your feet do more than you think. So do podiatrists.

That’s the message behind this Podiatry Week 12-18 October, which celebrates the important role podiatrists play in helping people move, work, exercise, recover and take part in everyday life.

While podiatrists are often associated with treating common foot problems such as corns, calluses and nail conditions, their role extends well beyond this.

Podiatrists are university-qualified, registered health professionals who assess, diagnose and manage a broad range of conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs.

Depending on their qualifications and scope of practice, podiatrists can support patients with:

• Foot and ankle pain
• Sports injuries and movement concerns
• Children’s feet, walking and development
• Skin and nail conditions
• Diabetes-related foot problems and complex wounds
• Footwear and orthotic needs
• Gait and movement concerns
• Rehabilitation and recovery

At Northern Health, our podiatry team is more than 17 full-time equivalent positions, working across multiple sites including The Northern Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Broadmeadows Hospital, Craigieburn Community Hospital and Mernda Community Hospital Renal Service.

The team works across a diverse range of services, supporting patients throughout their healthcare journey.

This includes the Foot Procedure Unit (FPU), Community Therapies Service (CTS), Falls and Balance Service (FABS), Renal and Paediatrics, as well as community programs including Subacute Ambulatory Care Services (SACS), Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Home and Community care for Younger People (HACC PYP).

The scale of the team’s work is significant.

“In the last financial year, Northern Health’s podiatry team provided more than 5,390 episodes of care for ambulatory patients through services including the FPU, CHSP and SACS, as well as more than 7,800 inpatient episodes of care,” says Tim Butters, Podiatrist, Northern Health.

“This makes Northern Health’s Podiatry Department one of the busiest in the state.”

Behind these numbers are thousands of patients who have received care to help them stay mobile, manage complex conditions, recover from injury and maintain their independence.

Did you know?

Our feet are remarkable – and there’s more to them than meets the eye.

• Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 ligaments.
• The average person takes around 7,500 steps a day.
• Our feet contain a high concentration of nerve endings, which helps explain why they can be particularly sensitive and ticklish.
• The skin on the soles of our feet is among the thickest on the body.
• When running, the forces placed on our feet can reach several times our body weight.
• For around 20–30 per cent of people, the second toe is longer than the big toe – a foot shape known as Morton’s toe.
• It can take 12–18 months for a toenail to completely regrow after it has been lost or damaged.

So, this Podiatry Week, we take a moment to appreciate just how much our feet do for us every day, and the podiatrists who help keep them moving.

Thank you to our Northern Health Podiatry team for the important work you do every day to keep our patients moving, active and independent.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Elizabeth Barr, Podiatrist and Jerrica Elsa John, Podiatry Allied Health Assistant.