Foot health guides
Foot health, in plain language. Explore heel pain, orthotics, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, footwear and returning to activity.
Looking for answers before you book? These guides offer general information to help you prepare questions. Your symptoms and treatment options still need individual assessment.
Explore your concern
- Why does my heel hurt most first thing in the morning?
Morning heel pain can occur with plantar fasciitis and other conditions. Understand the pattern, practical steps and when to seek assessment.
- Custom, modified or off-the-shelf orthotics: what is the difference?
Understand the main insole options and the questions to ask before deciding whether a device is useful.
- What should I bring to an orthotics assessment?
A practical preparation guide covering shoes, existing devices, symptoms, costs and follow-up questions.
- Does an ingrown toenail always need surgery?
How assessment helps distinguish conservative treatment from situations where nail surgery may be considered.
- Why does my ingrown toenail keep coming back?
Questions to discuss when the same nail edge becomes sore repeatedly, including footwear, nail shape and treatment history.
- What does a diabetic foot check involve?
Why sensation, circulation, skin and footwear matter, and when a new foot change needs prompt attention.
- How can I choose shoes that fit my feet comfortably?
Practical fit checks for toe room, fastenings and insoles, without assuming one shoe suits everyone.
- Achilles pain and exercise: what should I discuss at assessment?
Understanding pain behind the heel, activity changes and an individual approach to rehabilitation.
- Bulk billed or private podiatry: what should I compare?
Questions about Medicare eligibility, fees, appointment time, clinician choice and separate treatment costs when comparing podiatry care.
- Prefabricated versus custom orthotics: which should I consider?
Compare prefabricated and custom foot orthotics, including fit, intended purpose, footwear, cost and what assessment should clarify before you decide.
Questions in our guide library
These topic groups show the patient questions covered now and the guides being prepared. Published titles are links; planned titles are shown so you can see the scope of the library.
Published = available now · Planned = title visible, clinical content not yet published
Before the first appointment
Deciding whether assessment is needed
- When does foot pain need assessment?
- When is monitoring reasonable?
- When should I seek urgent care?
- When should a child’s foot concern be checked?
Orthotics and persistent symptoms
- Do I need orthotics?
- Prefabricated versus custom orthotics
- Do orthotics weaken feet?
- Why are my existing orthotics uncomfortable?
- Should old orthotics be adjusted or replaced?
- What happens before custom orthotics are made?
Toenails and skin
- Does an ingrown toenail need surgery?
- Why does an ingrown toenail keep returning?
- Does nail surgery hurt?
- Is a thick nail always fungal?
- Corn or wart?
- When does a cracked heel need attention?
Pain and activity
Choosing care
Local practical information
Find your foot concern · Explore treatments · Meet the podiatrists