What Is a Foot and Ankle Assessment?
A foot and ankle assessment is a structured clinical examination of how your feet, ankles and lower limbs are built and how they move. It combines your history, a hands-on examination and, where needed, imaging, and it ends with a diagnosis and a plan rather than a guess.
When you have problems with your feet, you need a Podiatrist who will listen and respond. At Manly Foot Clinic we treat all problems related to the foot and ankle. Ozan, Moh, Amanda and Rohan always take time to listen carefully to each patient, and pride themselves in providing the highest quality client service. We use state of the art therapeutic and diagnostic equipment, along with top quality care to get our patients back on their feet.
Our experienced podiatrists and supportive staff are committed to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest techniques. The benefit of this commitment is that many of your foot conditions are treated quickly, comfortably, and effectively, with up-to-date technology, and in a cost-effective way.
Who It Helps
An assessment suits anyone with foot, ankle or lower limb pain that has no clear diagnosis yet, anyone whose pain has come back after earlier treatment, and anyone referred for a second opinion. The indications below are the ones the clinic already describes on its condition pages.
Pain without a diagnosis
Heel pain is the commonest example. It is most often plantar fasciitis, but may also be due to a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation or, rarely, a cyst, which is why it needs to be properly diagnosed rather than assumed.
Biomechanical problems
Yes. A biomechanical assessment looks at how your feet, ankles and legs move through each stage of walking or running, and where that movement may be contributing to pain or injury. Your plan is built from what we find. Depending on the problem, it may combine targeted strengthening and stretching, taping or bracing, footwear changes and, where needed, orthoses.
A second opinion or surgical opinion
Where a deformity such as a bunion or hammer toe is progressing, the assessment establishes its extent on examination and x-ray, so the conversation about conservative care or surgery is based on findings.
What to Expect
Every assessment follows the same four stages. The first two happen at your first visit.
Assessment first
Detailed clinical history, examination and review of any prior imaging or treatment. Your podiatrist watches you stand and walk using video gait analysis equipment, examines the joints, tendons and skin of both feet, and asks what makes the pain better and worse.
The treatment
In-clinic diagnostic workup, then a personalised treatment plan staged across consultations. Where imaging is needed to distinguish between causes, x-rays or other imaging may be arranged.
A short course
Most plans start conservatively: padding and strapping, footwear advice, exercises, or prescription orthoses from a 3D scan. Injection therapy is available in the clinic where a plan calls for it.
Review and progress
Structured review, outcome measurement and, where you were referred, a report back to your referring practitioner. If conservative care is not enough, the surgical opinion is available in the same clinic.
Why Consider an Assessment at Manly Foot Clinic
- One clinic from assessment to treatment. Orthoses, injection therapy and surgery are all delivered here, so a diagnosis does not turn into a referral across Sydney.
- A surgical podiatrist on site, so a surgical opinion is a conversation in the same building, not a second waiting list.
- Serving the Northern Beaches since 1989.
- A referral is not necessary, though the clinic encourages one so your GP stays in the loop.
Foot & Ankle Assessment FAQs
No, you can book directly without a referral. If you’d like, we’ll send a short report to your GP after your appointment so your foot care stays part of your overall health record. If your appointment is through a Medicare care plan, DVA or another funded program, you will need a referral, so check with us when you book.
Costs vary according to the practitioner and type of assessment. Consultation fees are published on our FAQ page. Anything beyond the consultation is quoted before it is booked.
Yes. A biomechanical assessment looks at how your feet, ankles and legs move through each stage of walking or running, and where that movement may be contributing to pain or injury. Your plan is built from what we find. Depending on the problem, it may combine targeted strengthening and stretching, taping or bracing, footwear changes and, where needed, orthoses.
Any referral letter and recent x-rays, scans or reports, your private health fund card, the shoes you wear most including sports shoes, any orthoses or insoles you use, and a list of current medications.
If your policy includes podiatry, yes. All major private health funds recognise the clinic, and podiatry is covered under extras rather than hospital cover. How much you get back depends on your level of extras and how much of your annual limit you’ve already used. Bring your health fund card and we can process your claim on the spot, so you only pay the gap. For an exact figure, ask your fund for the rebate on the specific service before your appointment. We can give you the item number to quote.
Serving Manly and the Northern Beaches.
Manly Foot Clinic is at Shop 3/3 Corrie Rd, North Manly, NSW 2100, and has assessed and treated feet from Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Freshwater and Balgowlah since 1989. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm.