Foot & Ankle Health
General Podiatry in Sydney
HealthiClinic Podiatry provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a broad range of foot, ankle and
lower-limb concerns. Patients may attend for routine skin and nail care, children’s foot concerns, sports-
related problems, biomechanical assessment, orthotics, diabetic foot care or age-related changes
affecting comfort and mobility.
Practical care for everyday foot problems
General podiatry covers the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of many common foot and lower-limb concerns. Some patients attend because of pain, while others need help with skin or nail problems, footwear, mobility, recurring symptoms or preventive care.
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At HealthiClinic, the first step is to understand what is causing the problem and how it is affecting your comfort, activity and daily life. Your appointment may include a clinical examination, review of footwear and activity, and discussion of suitable treatment or management options. When a problem requires more specialised assessment, you can be directed to the most appropriate podiatry service within the clinic or referred for additional care where necessary.
You do not need to know the exact name of your condition before booking. A general podiatry appointment is often a suitable starting point when you are unsure which service you need.
What can a general podiatry appointment help with?
Patients commonly seek general podiatry care for concerns such as:
- Painful, thickened or difficult-to-manage toenails
- Corns, calluses and areas of pressure
- Cracked heels and dry or uncomfortable skin
- Suspected fungal nail or skin infections
- Ingrown or irritated toenails
- Foot pain associated with footwear, work, sport or daily activity
- Changes in foot shape, balance, comfort or mobility
- Foot-care needs related to ageing, diabetes or reduced flexibility
- Advice about footwear, prevention and ongoing foot health
This list is not exhaustive. The appropriate assessment and treatment will depend on your symptoms, medical history and clinical findings.
What happens during a podiatry assessment?
Your consultation begins with a discussion about your symptoms, how long they have been present,
previous treatment and any relevant medical conditions or medications. The clinical examination is then tailored to the reason for your visit.
Depending on the problem, the assessment may include:
- Examination of the skin, nails and areas of pressure
- Assessment of the painful or affected area
- Review of footwear and activity demands
- Observation of standing, walking or lower-limb function when relevant
- Review of circulation, sensation or risk factors when clinically indicated
- Discussion of previous imaging, treatment or surgery
- Explanation of the likely diagnosis and available options
Additional imaging, pathology testing or referral is not required for every patient. It may be recommended
when the examination suggests that further information would be useful.
Treatment is matched to the problem
General podiatry treatment is not one standard procedure. Care is selected according to the diagnosis, the severity of the problem, your health, your goals and what has already been tried.
Management may include:
- Care of painful, thickened or difficult toenails
- Reduction of corns and calluses
- Management advice for cracked heels, dry skin and pressure areas
- Assessment and treatment planning for fungal nail or skin concerns
- Advice about footwear, activity and pressure reduction
- Padding, offloading or other practical measures
- Exercise, rehabilitation or biomechanical advice when relevant
- Referral to a more specific HealthiClinic podiatry service
- Referral for imaging, medical review or another health professional when appropriate
The aim is to provide a clear explanation and a practical plan. Some problems can be treated during the first appointment, while others require staged care, review or a more specific treatment pathway.
Explore Our Podiatry Services
Heel Pain
Assessment of plantar fasciosis, Baxter’s nerve irritation, heel bone stress and other causes of persistent heel pain.
Ingrown Toenails
Care for painful, infected, recurrent or previously treated ingrown toenails, with several anaesthetic and procedural options available.
Orthotics & Biomechanical Assessment
Assessment of foot function, gait and lower-limb mechanics, with orthotic therapy prescribed when clinically appropriate.
Children's Podiatry
Assessment of walking patterns, flat feet, heel pain, sports symptoms, ingrown toenails and other common paediatric foot concerns.
Sports Podiatry
Assessment and treatment of foot and ankle pain affecting sport, exercise, training and return to activity.
Diabetic Foot Care
Risk assessment, skin and nail care, circulation and sensation screening, and practical advice to reduce preventable foot complications.
Senior Foot Care
Foot care designed to support comfort, mobility, balance and independence as foot health needs change with age.
Routine Foot Care
Regular care for nails, hard skin, corns and other concerns that may become difficult to manage safely at home.
A Clear Pathway from Assessment to Treatment
HealthiClinic Podiatry is designed to provide an accessible starting point for everyday foot concerns, with pathways to more focused care when a problem is complex, persistent or has not responded to previous treatment.
- A consultation focused on understanding the cause of the problem, not only the symptom
- Conservative treatment and practical self-care advice where appropriate
- Access to more specialised assessment and procedural options when clinically indicated
- Clear explanations to help patients make informed decisions
- Coordination with other health professionals when broader medical or musculoskeletal care is required
- Educational resources through the HealthiClinic Learning Centre
Meet Dr. Damien Lafferty
Podiatric Surgeon & General Podiatrist
Dr Damien Lafferty is a surgical podiatrist based in Sydney, Australia. He has 38 years of podiatry experience, including 29 years of podiatric surgical experience, and has taught at the University of Newcastle for 19 years.
For patients whose concern can be managed through general podiatry, care may remain straightforward. Where a more specialised pathway is appropriate, the initial assessment can help identify the next step.
Understand your foot problem before deciding what to do
The HealthiClinic Learning Centre provides patient-friendly information about common foot conditions, assessment options and treatment pathways. It includes detailed articles, handbooks, frequently asked questions and educational videos.
- A consultation focused on understanding the cause of the problem, not only the symptom
- Conservative treatment and practical self-care advice where appropriate
- Access to more specialised assessment and procedural options when clinically indicated
- Clear explanations to help patients make informed decisions
- Coordination with other health professionals when broader medical or musculoskeletal care is required
- Educational resources through the HealthiClinic Learning Centre
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
No. In most cases, you can book a podiatry appointment directly. A referral may be required for some specific funding arrangements, care plans or insurance pathways, but it is not generally required for a private appointment.
I am not sure which podiatry service I need?
A general podiatry appointment is usually a suitable starting point. The podiatrist can assess the problem and direct you to a more specific service if required.
Can treatment be provided at the first appointment?
Many straightforward nail, skin and pressure problems may be treated during the first visit. More complex concerns may require further assessment, imaging, a treatment plan or a separate procedure.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring a list of relevant medications, any previous imaging or reports, and the shoes you wear most often if the concern relates to walking, activity or footwear. It is also helpful to know what treatments you have already tried.
Does general podiatry include nail and skin care?
Yes. General podiatry commonly includes assessment and care for thick or painful nails, corns, calluses, cracked heels, pressure areas and other common skin or nail concerns.
Can you assess foot pain as part of a general podiatry visit?
Yes. A general podiatry appointment can be used to begin the assessment of foot pain. Depending on the findings, you may be directed to a more specific heel pain, sports, orthotics or surgical assessment pathway.
Do you see children and older adults?
Yes. HealthiClinic offers podiatry services for children, adults and older patients. A dedicated children’s or senior foot-care page may provide more specific information.
Can I claim podiatry through private health insurance?
This depends on your insurer, policy and level of extras cover. Contact your insurer directly if you need confirmation of your eligibility or expected rebate.
Where is HealthiClinic Podiatry located?
HealthiClinic is located in Greenwich, Sydney. Appointment availability at any additional consulting location should be confirmed through the clinic when booking.
How do I book an appointment?
Use the Book Online button on this page or contact HealthiClinic. Choose a general podiatry appointment when you are unsure which service is most appropriate.
Book a General Podiatry Appointment
If you have a foot, nail, skin or lower-limb concern and are unsure where to start, a general podiatry appointment can provide an assessment and a clear plan for the next step.