A podiatrist is a university-trained healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. In Australia, all practising podiatrists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). At ModPod Podiatry, our clinicians manage everything from skin and nail conditions to complex biomechanical problems, sports injuries, and diabetic foot care. We treat patients of all ages across five Sydney clinics — CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde.
If you are wondering what a podiatrist does or whether one can help with your specific problem, this guide covers the main conditions we treat, the services we provide, and what to expect at your first appointment.
What Conditions Does a Podiatrist Treat?
Podiatrists treat a wide range of foot and lower limb conditions. Some are acute — an ingrown toenail, a sprained ankle, a painful heel that developed after a run. Others are chronic — bunions, plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue band running under the arch), recurring fungal nail infections, or long-term diabetic foot complications.
Common conditions we treat at ModPod include:
- Heel pain — plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, heel bursitis
- Nail conditions — ingrown toenails, thickened nails, fungal nail infection (onychomycosis)
- Skin conditions — corns, calluses, plantar warts (verrucae), cracked heels, athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
- Forefoot pain — metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot), Morton’s neuroma, bunions
- Biomechanical problems — flat feet, high arches, abnormal gait, shin splints, stress fractures
- Sports injuries — running injuries, ankle sprains, turf toe, overuse injuries
- Children’s foot problems — Sever’s disease (a growth plate injury at the heel), in-toeing, flat feet in growing children
- Diabetic foot care — skin and nail assessment, ulcer prevention, circulation and nerve checks
For patients managing diabetes, regular diabetic foot care is not optional — it is preventive. Diabetes Australia estimates a lower limb amputation occurs approximately every 30 minutes in Australia. The vast majority are preventable with consistent foot monitoring and early intervention.
What Podiatry Services Do We Provide?
Skin and Nail Care
Routine skin and nail care is a core part of podiatry practice. Your podiatrist removes corns and calluses, cuts and files thickened nails, manages ingrown toenails, and treats fungal nail infections. For persistent onychomycosis (dermatophyte infection of the nail plate) that has not responded to topical antifungals, we offer fungal nail laser treatment — a targeted option that works without damaging surrounding tissue.
Biomechanical Assessment and Orthotics
A biomechanical assessment examines how your feet and lower limbs move during standing, walking, and running. Your podiatrist assesses joint range of motion, muscle strength, foot posture, and gait pattern using a combination of clinical examination and computerised gait analysis.
Where abnormal mechanics are contributing to pain or injury, we prescribe custom orthotics — prescription insoles manufactured from a 3D scan of your foot. Orthotics modify foot alignment and redistribute load through the foot and lower limb, reducing strain on affected structures.
Sports Podiatry
Sports podiatry addresses injuries and overuse conditions related to physical activity. We work with runners, cyclists, footballers, and recreational athletes. Common presentations include plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, and metatarsalgia. Treatment combines orthotic therapy, footwear review, load modification, and physical therapies such as shockwave therapy.
Children’s Podiatry
Growing feet develop through a predictable sequence, but problems can arise along the way. We assess and treat paediatric gait concerns, flat feet, Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis — a growth plate condition common in active children aged 8–14), in-toeing, and footwear problems. Our children’s podiatry service provides early assessment and intervention before problems become entrenched.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common reasons patients present to a podiatrist. We manage both conservative and surgical treatment. For recurrent or severe cases, a partial nail avulsion under local anaesthetic — followed by chemical cauterisation of the nail matrix with phenol — provides a permanent resolution. Read more about our ingrown toenail removal options.
What Happens at Your First Podiatry Appointment?
Your initial consultation at ModPod runs approximately 45–60 minutes. Your podiatrist will:
- Review your medical history and current symptoms
- Examine your feet and lower limbs — including nails, skin, joint movement, and circulation
- Observe your gait if relevant
- Explain findings and the diagnosis clearly
- Develop a management plan, which may include hands-on treatment on the same day
You do not need a GP referral to see a podiatrist. However, if you have a chronic health condition, ask your GP about an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referral — this entitles you to a Medicare rebate for up to five allied health visits per year under a Team Care Arrangement. AHPRA-registered podiatrists are included under this scheme. The current Medicare rebate for podiatry (item number 10953) is $58.70 per visit.
If you hold private health Extras cover, bring your health fund card — we have HICAPS on-site for on-the-spot claiming at all five Sydney locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a podiatrist do differently from a GP?
A: A GP provides broad primary care across all body systems. A podiatrist specialises in the foot, ankle, and lower limb. Podiatrists have advanced clinical training in foot biomechanics, nail and skin pathology, and lower limb injury management. For anything affecting your feet or lower legs, a podiatrist is the appropriate specialist.
Q: What can a podiatrist treat that I might not expect?
A: Many patients are surprised to learn that podiatrists treat knee pain (when caused by foot mechanics), shin splints, children’s gait concerns, and persistent sports injuries. If lower limb pain has not resolved with rest, a biomechanical factor is often involved and worth investigating.
Q: Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist in Sydney?
A: No. You can book directly without a GP referral. If you have a chronic condition, a GP referral under an EPC plan gives you access to Medicare rebates for allied health visits — up to five per calendar year.
Q: Are podiatrists registered healthcare professionals in Australia?
A: Yes. All Australian podiatrists must hold registration with AHPRA and a recognised podiatry qualification. You can verify any practitioner’s registration at the AHPRA website. All ModPod podiatrists hold current AHPRA registration.
Q: What should I bring to my first appointment?
A: Bring your everyday shoes and any sports footwear, a list of current medications, your Medicare card, and your health fund card if you have Extras cover. If your GP has provided an EPC referral, bring that along too.
Book a Podiatry Appointment in Sydney
ModPod Podiatry has five Sydney clinics — CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde. Our podiatrists are AHPRA-registered and experienced in treating the full range of foot and lower limb conditions. We accept all major health funds with HICAPS on-site.
To make an appointment, book online or call your nearest ModPod clinic directly.
