What we do

Biomechanical Assessment

At Ripple Podiatry, our biomechanical assessments aim to identify and address issues related to movement and alignment of the feet and legs. Our feet are the foundation of the body and is what keeps us mobile and active. By analysing how your feet and legs move, it can help to pinpoint the underlying causes of pain or dysfunction such as that stubborn heel pain, Achilles tendon issues, shin pain, arthritis and much more.

What To Expect During Your Appointment?

• Detailed History and Discussion:
  • We’ll begin with a thorough discussion of your medical history, lifestyle, past injuries, and specific concerns. This includes any pain, discomfort, or functional limitations you may be experiencing. As well as discussing goals and expectations.
• Objective Assessment/Functional Testing:
  • Our assessment involves a visual examination of your feet, legs, and posture. We’ll evaluate the alignment, range of motion,
    and strength of your lower limbs and conduct tests to assess their function during different activities. This helps identify any movement inefficiencies or issues.
• Gait Analysis:
  • This involves a comprehensive assessment to analyse your walking or running patterns and identify any compensatory movements or irregularities. This may include observing you while walking or running on a treadmill.
• Footwear Assessment:
  • Involves evaluating the fit, support, cushioning, wear patterns and overall functionality of shoes to ensure they properly support your feet.
• Diagnostic Imaging (if needed):
  • In some cases, we may use diagnostic imaging techniques such as X-rays or ultrasound to gain a clearer understanding of underlying issues.

Based on the findings from your assessment, we’ll develop a tailored treatment plan.
This may include the following:

• Gait retraining,
• Footwear advice
• Orthotics and braces
• Strapping
• Manual therapy
• Mobilisations and manipulation
• Muscle recruitment
• Exercises
• Shockwave therapy

These techniques are used to optimise the healing process and reduce pain.

Caring for children’s legs and feet requires a different approach to treatment. Children’s bones and muscles are still developing, and their bodies are vulnerable as they try out new things. We can help your child get through their pain or dysfunction, while preventing future injuries and keeping their body capable and adaptable.

We can help with growing complications, severs, cerebral palsy, ‘clumsy running’, pigeon toes, out toeing, knocked or bowed knees, and more.

We are experts in analysing running and walking technique. We work with beginners through to professional athletes, helping them to run more efficiently and free from pain. Are you keen to run well? Come and see us.

Prior to surgery, we make sure your body is strong and responsive to allow the best outcome. Post-surgical rehab treatment ensures your body recovers in the best state possible.

We can help with joint bracing, orthotics, gait retraining, muscle recruitment and footwear advice.

Do you suffer from Ingrown nails?

Ingrown nails occur when the edge of a toenail digs into the surrounding skin, leading to significant discomfort and pain. This condition most often occurs in the big toe but can occur with any toenail.

Causes: Ingrown nails can result from several factors, including:

• Improper Nail Trimming: Cutting nails too short or at an angle in the corner.
• Tight Footwear: Shoes that are too tight, narrow or poorly fitted can cause pressure on the toenails, irritating the edge of the nail
• Genetics: Some individuals have naturally curved nails that are more prone to ingrowing.
• Injury: Trauma to the toenail can increase the risk of it becoming ingrown.

Symptoms: The most common symptoms of an ingrown nail include:

• Pain: Sharp or throbbing pain at the edge of the toenail, which may worsen when wearing shoes or walking.
• Redness and Swelling: The affected area often becomes red and swollen.
• Infection: In more severe cases, the area may become infected, showing signs such as increased pain, pus, or a foul odour.

Treatment: At Ripple Podiatry we offer comprehensive treatment options for ingrown nails:

• Conservative: This approach involves alleviating discomfort and preventing future issues in a non-invasive method. This includes carefully shaping the nail to reduce pressure and pain. As well as advice and education on how to manage at home.
• Surgical Option: For more severe cases, a partial nail avulsion may be recommended. This procedure involves local anaesthetic to numb the toe, and then a small section of the nail will be cut and removed to alleviate pain, ease pressure and prevent reoccurrence of ingrown nails.

Our team is committed to offering tailored care for managing and treating ingrown nails, so you can return to your daily activities pain-free. Don’t suffer with pain, book an appointment with us today!

Skin and Nail Treatment

At Ripple Podiatry we offer specialised skin and nail care appointments to address a wide range of conditions. This may include the following:

• Thick nail
• Fungal nails
• Callous/hard skin
• Corns
• Verruca/ wart
• Ingrown nails
• Athletes foot/tinea pedis

If you have any of the above or tough hard to cut toenails, then we have the tools and expert knowledge to help. We provide thorough and expert care to ensure your feet look and feel the best. To support your ongoing health, we recommend regular follow-up appointments every 6-8 weeks.

Thick nails are a common condition where the nail become unusually thick and sometimes discoloured. The cause can from be from fungal infections, trauma, or even underlying health issues like psoriasis or poor circulation. Thick nails can be challenging to manage and may cause discomfort with daily activities.

Fungal nail is an infection of the nail and can cause them to become thick, discoloured, and brittle. Common signs include yellow or white discoloration, lifting of the nail from the nail bed, and crumbling. If left untreated the infection can spread and worsen.

Hard skin also known as callous, develops from repetitive friction, rubbing, irritation or pressure on your skin. In response, the body develops this thickened layer to protect the affected area. They typically appear on the soles of the feet, heels, or toes, and while they may seem harmless, they can sometimes cause discomfort or pain.

Corns: Hard skin can progress into a corn, which may cause a sharp, prickling, or thorn-like sensation in the foot.

Plantar Wart also known as a verruca pedis, is caused by the Human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus infects the top layer of skin, leading to rapid cell growth that forms the wart. They are typically spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as public showers or pools, and can also be transmitted through minor cuts or abrasions on the skin. They can be painless and left undetected, however if on a pressure point of the foot then can cause pain. Warts are often confused for corns.

Ingrown nails occur when the edge of the toenail digs into the surrounding skin leading to pain, swelling and infection. Most common causes of ingrown nails are due to incorrect nail cutting, poor footwear, and trauma. If left untreated, an ingrown nail can become increasingly painful and may lead to more serious complications. We offer both conservative and surgical options.

Athletes foot, also known as Tinea Pedis is a fungal infection affecting the skin on the feet, particularly between the toes. The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as those found in sweaty shoes or communal areas like swimming pools and locker rooms. Symptoms typically include itching, burning, redness, and flaking or peeling of the skin. Athlete’s foot is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces.

General check /Neurovascular: This includes checking the overall health of your feet including neurological and vascular tests.

ACC Treatment Injury

Have you suffered an injury to the Foot, Ankle, Achilles, Leg, or Knee?
Don’t let your injury hold you back from doing what you love.

Ripple Podiatry is ACC accredited, so if you have suffered an injury that is keeping you from training or persistent pain that just isn’t resolving, it pays to get the professionals in! (No Referral required)

Our service includes assessing your injury and developing a tailored treatment plan to optimise the way your body is healing so we can help you get you back to doing what you love faster. Treatment can involve a variety of methods such as orthotics, bracing, footwear advice, gait analysis, muscle release and more.

Why Choose Ripple Podiatry for your injury?

• We have successfully worked on thousands of ACC claims involving the foot and lower limb and specialise in this area
• ACC contract which gives us access to orthotics and braces at little or no cost to you
• Holistic approach, our team believe prevention is the best cure so will identify areas of weakness and make recommendations help prevent future injury
• Two convenient locations
• No referral required

If you have an accident in New Zealand, you are usually covered under ACC for your treatment to see an allied health professional with a surcharge. This includes injuries that occur in various settings, such as at work, at home, or during recreational activities.

We can work on an existing ACC claim, or we can lodge the claim on your behalf, for more information, please give us a call on 07 949 7977 or book and appointment here