Experiencing foot pain? Chances are you’ve received a diagnosis of one of the following conditions: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, bunions, bursitis, arthritis, Morton’s neuroma, plantar heel pain, severs disease (in children), or flat feet. While these foot issues are prevalent and treated worldwide, they are frequently misdiagnosed and improperly managed.
Dr Paul Dowie, renowned musculoskeletal podiatrist with over 25 years of experience in diagnosing and treating foot, knee, and leg conditions, provided some insight. According to Dr Dowie, it is common and unfortunate that many people receive incorrect diagnoses and ineffective treatments, which can worsen conditions.
His Foot and Leg Pain Clinics successfully treat such conditions daily and have highlighted three of the most common scenarios for misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments:
• Misread diagnostic scans: Thickened tissue on diagnostic scans is often confused with inflammation, leading to inappropriate treatment.
• Treatment of symptoms without addressing underlying causes: Without understanding causes and targeting contributing factors, treatments can be ineffective, temporary or even harmful.
• Lack of understanding of intricate foot and leg biomechanics: This can lead to poor advice and outcomes.
“It’s important for people to know that most foot and leg pain is treatable, even the most complex conditions. Too often people are told there is nothing that can be done or that they have to expect, and just put up with, certain conditions due to ageing, and this is often incorrect. With accurate diagnosis, understanding contributing factors, and having an in-depth understanding of lower limb biomechanics and musculoskeletal medicine, many concerns can be swiftly and effectively addressed. This includes injured, arthritic and degenerated joints and tissues,” Dr Dowie said.
If you’d like personalised guidance and advice from Dr Dowie, you can consult him at his Williamstown clinic or other locations across Melbourne. simply call 1300 328 300.
