Foot problems are among the most common reasons Australians visit a health professional — yet many people put up with pain for months, sometimes years, before seeking help. The feet carry your full body weight across hundreds of kilometres each year. When something goes wrong, it rarely resolves on its own.
This guide covers the ten most common foot problems our podiatrists treat at ModPod Podiatry in Sydney, what causes each one, and the most effective treatment directions. If you recognise your symptoms here, it is worth getting a proper assessment.
1. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting the thick band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs along the sole of the foot. It typically causes sharp pain under the heel on the first few steps in the morning, easing with movement and returning after rest. Common in runners, people who stand for long hours, and those with flat feet or high arches.
Treatment includes load management, calf and plantar fascia stretching, footwear review, and — where conservative measures fail — shockwave therapy, which has strong evidence for chronic plantar fasciitis. Most cases resolve within three to six months with appropriate care.
2. Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail — most often the big toenail — curves into the surrounding skin. This causes localised pain, redness, swelling, and, if left untreated, infection. Tight footwear, incorrect nail cutting technique, and nail shape all contribute.
Mild cases respond to proper nail-cutting technique and footwear adjustment. Recurrent or infected ingrown toenails are best treated with a partial nail avulsion — a minor in-chair procedure performed under local anaesthetic that removes the offending nail edge permanently. Our podiatrists perform ingrown toenail removal at all five Sydney clinics.
3. Bunions
A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony deformity at the base of the big toe, causing the toe to deviate toward the second toe and the joint to protrude outward. Bunions are partly hereditary and worsen with narrow or ill-fitting footwear. They cause pain over the joint, difficulty finding comfortable shoes, and in advanced cases, restricted big toe movement.
Podiatric management focuses on reducing symptoms and slowing progression through footwear modification, padding, and where appropriate, custom orthotics to offload the joint. Surgical correction is an option for severe or unmanageable cases, managed by an orthopaedic surgeon following podiatric referral.
4. Corns and Callus
Callus is thickened skin that forms in response to repeated friction or pressure — typically under the ball of the foot or heel. A corn is a more concentrated, cone-shaped area of hard skin, often on the toes, that can be painful when compressed. Both are the foot’s protective response to abnormal pressure, so addressing the underlying cause is as important as removing the lesion.
A podiatrist debrides corns and callus quickly and painlessly. Persistent callus or corns indicate a pressure problem — footwear, foot mechanics, or both — that warrants assessment and ongoing management.
5. Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a deformity where one or more lesser toes (usually the second) become bent at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like shape. This leads to friction from footwear, painful corns on top of the toe, and in flexible cases, progressive stiffening over time. It commonly develops alongside bunions or in people with longer second toes.
Flexible hammer toes can be managed conservatively with toe exercises, padding, and footwear modification. Rigid deformities that cause significant pain may eventually require surgical referral. Early assessment gives the best range of options. Read more about hammer toe treatment.
6. Flat Feet
Flat feet (pes planus) occur when the arch of the foot is low or absent, causing the sole to make full or near-full contact with the ground. Many people with flat feet have no symptoms at all. Others experience foot fatigue, arch or heel pain, shin pain, or knee pain — particularly with prolonged walking, running, or standing.
When flat feet cause symptoms, a biomechanical assessment identifies the specific mechanics driving the problem. Treatment typically involves footwear advice, strengthening exercises, and custom orthotics where indicated.
7. Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a nerve, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. It produces burning, sharp, or electric pain in the ball of the foot — often with a sensation of standing on a pebble or marble. Symptoms typically worsen in tight footwear and ease when you remove your shoes and massage the area.
Treatment includes footwear modification, metatarsal padding to offload the nerve, and corticosteroid injection where needed. Persistent neuromas may require surgical referral. See our detailed guide to Morton’s neuroma treatment in Sydney.
8. Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy (tendinosis) is a degenerative condition of the Achilles tendon — the large tendon at the back of the heel. It causes pain and stiffness in the morning, tenderness along the tendon, and pain that worsens with activity and initially improves with warm-up. It is common in runners and those who have recently increased their training load.
Treatment is exercise-based, centred on eccentric and heavy slow resistance loading of the tendon. Footwear review, load management, and shockwave therapy for chronic cases round out the standard approach. Rest alone is rarely effective — tendon loading is key.
9. Cracked Heels
Cracked heels (heel fissures) occur when the thickened skin at the rim of the heel splits under pressure. Mild fissures are cosmetically unpleasant; deep fissures can be painful and, in people with diabetes or compromised circulation, create a risk of infection. Prolonged standing, dry skin, open-backed footwear, and medical conditions like hypothyroidism all contribute.
Podiatric treatment involves debridement of the callus rim, followed by a structured moisturising and exfoliation routine. Patients with recurring heel fissures often benefit from a medical pedicure at regular intervals alongside a home care routine.
10. Fungal Nail Infection
Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) affects roughly one in ten Australians at some point and is more common over the age of 60. It causes nails to become thickened, discoloured (yellow, white, or brown), and brittle. The condition is caused by dermatophyte fungi and is notoriously difficult to eradicate with over-the-counter treatments alone.
Effective treatment options include prescription-strength topical antifungals, oral antifungal medication, and fungal nail laser treatment. Our podiatrists confirm the diagnosis before recommending treatment — not all nail changes are fungal, and treating the wrong condition delays resolution.
Medicare and Private Health in Australia
Many of these conditions are covered under private health Extras policies that include podiatry — Medibank, BUPA, HCF, and NIB all offer rebates, varying by tier. If your GP has you on a Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, podiatry consultations may attract a Medicare rebate under a Team Care Arrangement (typically five sessions per calendar year). Patients with diabetes are eligible for specific item numbers through the Medicare Chronic Disease Management program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should a foot problem prompt a visit to a podiatrist?
A: If foot pain has not resolved within two weeks of rest and simple self-care, or if it is affecting your ability to walk, work, or exercise, see a podiatrist. Many conditions worsen with delayed treatment — early assessment usually means simpler, faster resolution.
Q: Can I see a podiatrist without a GP referral?
A: Yes. You do not need a referral to see a podiatrist in Australia. You can book directly. A GP referral is only needed if you want to access Medicare rebates through a Chronic Disease Management or Team Care Arrangement plan.
Q: Are custom orthotics covered by health insurance?
A: Most private health Extras policies that include podiatry will cover a portion of custom orthotic costs. The rebate varies significantly by insurer and policy tier — typically between $150 and $400 per year. Check your specific policy details before proceeding.
Q: How do I know if my foot pain is serious?
A: Foot pain that is severe, sudden, or accompanied by swelling, bruising, numbness, or skin changes warrants prompt assessment. Pain that wakes you at night or is getting progressively worse over weeks should also be evaluated. When in doubt, get it checked.
Q: Do all of these conditions require orthotics?
A: No. Orthotics are one tool among many. Some conditions — like ingrown toenails, fungal nails, or corns — have nothing to do with foot mechanics. Others — like plantar fasciitis or flat feet — may benefit from orthotic support, but only after a proper assessment has identified the underlying cause.
See a Sydney Podiatrist at ModPod
ModPod Podiatry has treated foot problems across Sydney for over 20 years. Our podiatrists work across five clinics — CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde — offering a full range of general and specialist podiatric services.
If you recognise any of the problems described above, don’t put it off. Book online to see one of our experienced Sydney podiatrists.
