Foot Care Specialists in Wellington
The medical care of the foot is a specialist area of primary healthcare occupied by podiatric medicine and practised by podiatrists (historically known as chiropodists). In New Zealand the practise of podiatry is largely restricted to private practice with only a small section of the profession employed by the Government Health Service. Podiatrists are primary health care providers who specialise in the medical diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot and lower limbs. In order to lawfully practise Podiatric Medicine in New Zealand podiatrists must be registered with the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand and must hold a current Annual Practising Certificate.
Scope of Practice
At The Podiatry Clinic, we are registered with the NZ Ministry of Health (under the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003) to practice under the scope of - Podiatrist.
Our broad scope of practice allows us to provide a wide variation of treatment modalities for children, adults, athletes and non-athletes.Our treatments encompass general diagnosis and palliative treatment of common chronic conditions such as corns, calluses, toenail deformities, fungal nails and verrucae as well as providing specialist services in podiatric biomechanics/podiatric sports medicine and podiatric toenail and verruca surgery utilising local anaesthetics.
ACC Accredited Podiatric Surgeons & Orthotic Prescribers
Our podiatrists are all accredited to provide ingrown toenail surgical services for patients on ACC, for injuries resulting in acute traumatic ingrown toenails, chronic or recurrent ingrown toenails with infection occurring as a result of an accident or trauma. As each case is different, there may be a small surcharge depending upon the extent of the injury.
We are also authorised ACC Orthotic prescribers where foot orthotics are required to manage symptoms resulting from an accident which has been registered with and the claim accepted by ACC.
Podiatric Ingrown Toenail Surgery
We specialise in the surgical management of ingrown toenails utilising local analgesia (which alleviates the surgical risks associated with General Anaesthesia).
Ingrown toe nail surgery is part of everyday practice for most registered podiatrists.
The most utlised procedure is partial chemical nail matrix ablation.
This chemical ablation procedure has a very high success rate (up in the 98%ile).
The cosmetic results are excellent and apart from the local anaesthetic injection relatively pain free post operatively.
Each case is different and so individual surgical requirements are discussed with each patient at the time of consultation.
Podiatric Biomechanics and Sports Podiatry
Verruca Treatment - Revolutionary New Treatment (SWIFT)
Verrucae, or plantar warts, are caused by a (papova) virus which specifically invades the skin of the foot.
They are commonly associated with communal areas such as shower cubicles and barefoot areas in swimming pools, gyms and hotel rooms.
People of all ages can become infected but they are more commonly diagnosed in school children and young adults.
Older adults can also become infected by papova virus and it is not uncommon for older people to have a stubborn/chronic verruca infection which may have resisted treatment in the past, or has recurred following previous removal.
Traditional treatment of verrucae, more often than not, involves the application of strong acidic or caustic chemicals which destroy the infected skin cells which host the virus.
This type of treatment spans many inconvenient weeks of self application of the chemicals, is messy and often painful, especially for young children.
KeryFlex - Permanently Damaged/Thickened Nail Restoration
Toenail thickening can become a permanent disfigurement following physical trauma or infection such as chronic fungal nail.
KeryFlex Nail Restoration is a painless, in-office application that restores the appearance of an individual’s natural nails.
Why KeryFlex?
- Offers another option for patients with damaged toenails
- Delivers immediate and significant cosmetic enhancement after one visit
- Looks and feels completely natural
- Provides for cosmetically pleasing nails during most antifungal treatment regimens
- Unlike rigid acrylic nails, flexibility allows KeryFlex restored nails to bend with the natural movement of toes and feet
- Is compatible with human tissue and will not irritate or cause further damage to the underlying nail or skin
- Allows for the remaining nail to grow out naturally
- Is non-porous and will not allow moisture to penetrate between the natural and prosthetic nail
- Applied in the sanitary setting of a foot care specialist
- Is unaffected by acetone, nail polishes or detergents
- Is available in two colors: natural and opaque
The Podiatry Clinic Limited
Level2, Symes de Silva House
97-99 Courtenay Place
Wellington 6011
04 384 6821
ALLIED HEALTH STANDARDS ACCREDITED PRACTICE
Here at The Podiatry Clinic we are constantly embracing best practice to set a standard of excellence in podiatric medicine by becoming an Allied Health Services Standard 8171 accredited practice.
