What are the opening hours?

Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 17:00

http://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

Helen Robins-Podiatrist, Denneboom Road, Pretoria (2025)

01/01/2023

Happy New Year! Welcome 2023!

We hope you are all enjoying the first day of a new year, and after a day (or two) of re-coup due celebratory events last night, are ready to tackle the year ahead and give it all that you have to offer.

We look forward to resuming treatment at the practice when we return to work on the 4th of January.

If you would like to make an appointment for the new year feel free to contact us at 012 807 7956/7740 or drop us an email at hrobinsappointments@gmail.com.

26/12/2022

When it comes to measuring the impact certain sports have on your feet, we distinguish between high and low impact sports.

High impact sports are described as activity that includes some form of jumping or jolting, thereby potentially placing a lot of strain on your joints. This includes sports such as soccer, basketball, running, tennis and gymnastics.

Low impact sports, on the other hand, involves gentler and more fluid movements with lower impact forces - think walking, cycling, rowing and yoga. Swimming also falls into this category, due to the body being suspended in water.

Low impact sports are considered safer, you are less likely to get injured as a result of low impact activities compared to high impact activities. High impact sports have however been proven to be beneficial for cardiovascular health and overall bone density.

There is an unfortunate caveat when it comes to high impact sports, and this is the fact that there are large amounts of force placed on the bones and joints during these types of activities, including:

1. Ankle Rolling – when your ankle rotates at such an angle that it actually touches the ground. Ankle sprains and strains are what occur when your ankle rotates at such rates.
2. Plantar Fasciitis – when the band of tissue connecting your toes to your heel becomes inflamed as a result of overuse
3. Tendonitis – inflammation of the tendons in and around your feet and ankles
4. Shin Splint – pain along the shin bone (tibia) — the large bone situated at the forefront of your lower leg. Runners are commonly affected by shin splints.
5. Stress Fractures – small cracks in the bones of the lower limb and feet as a result of overuse.
It is important to note that adults are more likely to experience the negative side effects of high impact sports due to lower muscle density and weaker joints, compared to children. When children experience an injury due to high impact sports it is usually due to poor fitting and unsupportive shoe-wear or a lack of appropriate sports equipment.

If you regularly participate in high impact sports, whether you’re young or older, we suggest visiting a podiatrist at least once a year so that you can have your feet assessed. A podiatrist will also advise on appropriate shoes and stretching exercises to help safeguard your feet from the forces that high impact sports provide. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

23/12/2022

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Chinese New Year and Makar Sankranti in January, we’d like to wish you all the best over the festive season!

19/12/2022

Understanding what causes running injuries has been a topic well discussed and debated. Over the last 40 years, discussions have revolved around the notion that sports-related running injuries occur as a result of two influencing paradigms, namely the impact and pronation paradigms.

This overall consensus has led to developments in running shoe technologies aimed at reducing the effect of these forces. Common sense suggests that such technological developments should see a reduction in running related injuries, and yet, as detailed in their article titled “Muscle Tuning and preferred movement path” (DOI: 10.15203/CISS_2017.007), researchers have suggested abandoning the “impact and pronation paradigms due to a lack of biomechanical and epidemiological evidence”.

Today we’ll be discussing the impact force paradigm, which emphasizes impact between a surface and the foot as influential to running related injuries. The theory distinguishes between forefoot and heel-toe running, with each having a distinct impact pattern. Heel-toe running is far more common, with the “majority of runners executing this style” (DOI: 10.15203/CISS_2017.007).

In their article, B.M Nigg, M. Mohr and S.R. Nigg argue that the impact force paradigm’s influence is marginal as it relates to running injuries.

They attribute this view to the fact that, firstly, studies have shown that the majority of running -related injuries have been proven to occur as a result of “forces acting on internal structures”, and that such forces are at the height during active phases (when your foot leaves the ground) compared to impact phases (when your foot makes contact with the ground).

Another reason why the impact force paradigm is seen as questionable by the authors is that the theory proposes that “internal and external impact forces and loading rates increase with increasing running speed”. In other words, the faster you run the more injuries you would expect to see.

And yet, according to the authors, there is “no convincing evidence for a relationship between running speed and injury frequency”. This had lead the authors to the conclusion that there is no functional or epidemiological evidence that supports the view that the impact paradigm is valid.

It is however, important to note that impact force paradigms do have more relevance in other non-sports related injuries, such as those that occur as a result of foot deformities, diabetes or arthritic conditions.

Next week we’ll discuss the Pronation paradigm, where the authors question old pronation paradigms and whether it’s influence on running-related injuries is anything to write home about.

If you are a runner who is prone to injury we suggest seeing a podiatrist who can assess the biomechanics of your foot and provide sound advice in terms of possible treatment plans, shoe wear and orthotics if required. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

16/12/2022

Legendary music icon Bob Marley is certainly considered one of the best musicians of our time. He introduced reggae music to the world with his hit’s “3 little birds”, “no woman no cry” and “one love”, giving rise to a wave of artists who were, and are still today, greatly influenced by his unique sound.

In 1981, at just 36 years of age, Marley passed away from a rare form of skin cancer known as acral lentiginous melanoma. The melanoma was first spotted in 1977, when Marley noticed a black spot under his toenail. The spot was originally attributed to an old soccer injury. Over time the toenail did not heal, and indeed began to get far worse. It was at this point that Marley consulted with a doctor who performed a biopsy of the spot under the toenail and discovered that it was indeed a melanoma.

The doctor advised Marley that the best way forward would be to amputate his toe, however Marley opted for an alternative treatment plan which would involve the removal of his toenail and it’s surrounding tissue. The matter was then left to rest until Marley suddenly collapsed in New York City in 1980. After being rushed to the hospital, doctors performed a series of tests which revealed that the cancer, which had originated in his toenail, had now spread to his lungs, brain and stomach.

Marley’s physicians proposed a treatment plan for the cancer, which Marley refused, instead opting for a number of alternative treatment options available in Germany at the time, including exercise, ozone injections and vitamins.

Unfortunately, Marley’s condition continued to deteriorate and within a year he had passed away. He reportedly weighed only 82 pounds (just north of 37kg) at the time.

Today the dangers associated with melanoma’s are far reduced, with advancements in scientific and medical research and developments, treatment for melanoma’s have greatly improved.

Marley’s death is however still seen as a case study in why early detection of melanomas is so vital to ensuring effective treatment.

Melanomas are often cited as dark, irregular and fast-growing spots that can occur anywhere on the body, even the scalp. This is why it is important to always check your body (and toenails!) for any strange spots or marks that look suspicious. In the event you suspect you may have a melanoma it is advisable you consult with a dermatologist who is trained to identify and treat the condition.

For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

12/12/2022

It’s that time of year again! We’re fast approaching year-end and, as is typical of this time of the year, are all trying our best to manage schedules that have become jam-packed with family gatherings, end-year functions and hopefully a nice break where you can get away from all the run of the mill madness!

We’ll be taking a break over the festive season to re-charge our batteries for 2023.

Accordingly, the practice will be closed from the 16th of December 2022 to the 4th of January 2023.

If you would like to make an appointment before then, please feel free to contact us at 012 807 7956/7740 or drop us an email at hrobinsappointments@gmail.com.

For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist and all that she can do for your feet visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

28/11/2022

Babies and young children usually have flat feet until their feet fully develop in their later teenage years. This is because babies are born with a fatty pad that sits on the inner border of their feet and effectively hides the arch. The bones and joints in babies and young children’s feet are also more flexible, resulting in a foot that flattens out when pressure is applied.

As we age we lose this fatty pad, at the same time you’ll lose flexibility and elasticity in the foot, meaning it won’t flatten out as much when you walk in your adult years (unless you have flat feet of course!)

This is why it’s advisable that you wait until your child is older than 6 years before you can definitively say that they have flat feet.

There are circumstances where you should see a podiatrist with regards to a young child’s feet. This includes:

1. Changes to their walking pattern or behaviour – If your child regularly limps, waddles, drags their feet (and not out of boredom!), walks on their toes or with their head pushed forward then you should consider seeing a podiatrist who can assess their gait and possibly prescribe orthotics to correct any abnormalities in their walking pattern

2. Reducing participation in activities where they use their feet a lot – If your little one suddenly steps back from their sports activities (think athletics, soccer, netball, hockey – any activity that will see them on their feet for extended periods of time), they may be doing so to avoid associated pain and discomfort they experience during said activities.

If the above circumstances ring true for you and your little one, we suggest scheduling an appointment with your local podiatrist who can effectively assess and treat any underlying conditions that are contributing to your child’s overall experience on their feet. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

14/11/2022

As part of our series on common running terminology:)

Endurance – Endurance refers to your body’s natural ability to endure stress whilst running (or participating in any aerobic exercise). Runners will often refer to their endurance when speaking about their ability to run for extended periods of time.

Endorphins – Many runners will happily tell you about how great they feel after their runs, this euphoric feeling is referred to as runners high and occurs as a result of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that are released by your brain when experiencing pain or stress. Endorphins are also released during pleasurable activities such as eating, procreation, massage and, yep you named it – exercise! Endorphins are known to relieve pain and stress whilst promoting your overall sense of well-being and happiness.

Easy Run – also known as a recovery run, is a light run at an even pace for the purpose of recovery or simply for the fun of it. The idea is to maintain a fairly low heart rate whilst you run (around 60-70% of your max heart rate is considered optimal. Some runners will use your ability to hold a conversation whilst running as an easy marker on whether you’re over doing it during your easy run. The idea here is to acclimate your body to the stress of running in a state of fatigue. This is why easy run’s are often done by Marathon runners, as a way to prepare the body ahead of a big race.

If you are well into your running journey and have found that you are experiencing pain and discomfort after your runs, we would recommend seeing a podiatrist to perform a detailed gait analysis so that you can get to the bottom of your symptoms. Sore feet, ankles, knees and hips are all tell-tale signs that you may need orthotics to correct your foot position and improve your running experience. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

04/11/2022

When it comes to diabetes, most people think of insulin shots, healthy eating and an understandable avoidance of all carbohydrates. Yet, one of the lesser-known realities of diabetes is the effect the disease has on your lower limb region, especially your feet.

Whilst foot problems are certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of diabetes, they are some of the more serious consequences of living with the condition.

Wounds, chronic ulcers, poor circulation, peripheral neuropathy, ingrown toenails, you name it… In fact, about 15% of people who have diabetes will experience a diabetic ulcer or open wound on their foot and/or lower limb.

This is why general foot care and maintenance is so important for diabetics. Consider for a moment the realty of a diabetic ulcer…Delayed healing, months of recovery, mounting doctors bills, wound dressings, immobility, extended periods of sick leave, the list goes on and on.

It is therefore understandable, under these circumstances, that avoiding a diabetic ulcer is something diabetics generally take pretty seriously.

So what can a diabetic patient do to reduce the risk of an ulcer forming?

1. Manage your sugar levels – whether this is done through healthy and balanced eating habits, or through the use of insulin, managing your blood sugar levels is the most effective way to reduce lower limb complications. High Blood Sugar levels are well known to reduce blood flow and damage your nerves, such effects are particularly pronounced in your lower limb.

2. Wash your feet thoroughly – do this day and night, ensuring you clean well between your toes. This reduces the amount of bacteria on your feet, so that any cuts or abrasions that you may have are less likely to become infected.

3. Inspect your feet daily – use a small mirror (such as a compact) to inspect your feet in detail every day. The most common reason for diabetic ulcers becoming infected is a delay in treatment. This often occurs as a result of a two factors working in combination with one another, namely; lost nerve function and a lack of awareness that there’s damage (diabetics often can’t feel that they’ve hurt their feet).

4. Moisturise your feet twice daily – A urea-based cream works best, but any cream you have on hand will do. Remember to avoid rubbing the cream between your toes as the added moisture and naturally dark environment can create a breeding ground for various bacteria and funguses (think athletes’ foot).

5. Always wear shoes/sandals – it is important to protect your feet as best you can as a diabetic. A stray nail, scorching pavements or even a long-lost shard of glass or paper clip could all spell doom for a diabetic. Always keep a comfortable pair of shoes or sandals near by for when you need to leave the comfort of your home and opt for a comfortable pair of slippers or trainers for around the house. Walking around barefoot should be avoided.

6. Take any cuts or bruises seriously – if you notice you’ve cut or bruised your feet in any way it is important to clean the wound immediately. It is also a good idea to keep a sterile wound dressing on hand that you can use in these circumstances. (Helen to advise on what would be appropriate). We suggest monitoring the wound for no more than 2 days to see whether you are able to heal on your own. Thereafter, should you experience a delay in healing you’ll need to see a podiatrist or wound care specialist as soon as possible. Tell-tale signs of delayed healing include a milky discharge (pus), warmth or redness at the wound site, a bad odor, pain and fever as well as any level of darkening around the edge of the wound. These are all symptoms of increased infection that would result in delays to your healing ability. Bear in mind that you will probably need antibiotics if the redness extends 2cm beyond the wound site.

A good way to ensure that you’re aware of the changes to your feet as a diabetic is to have a diabetic assessment conducted on your feet. This can be done by your local podiatrist. During a diabetic assessment, a podiatrist will assess your nerve function, blood flow, average sugar levels, health and family history among other factors. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

24/10/2022

Today we're covering a number of running terms that start with the letter D. This is part of our running terminology series, where we’ve covered letters A-C thus far, please do check out our other posts on the subject if you’ve missed them😊

Dynamic stretching – Dynamic stretching is a form of high intensity stretching that involve exercises with controlled and repetitive movements that simultaneously stretch out your muscles. The key factor is that unlike static stretching (where you stretch and hold a position for about 30sec or so), dynamic stretching advocates that each repetition should be fairly short in duration. Examples include dynamic hamstring stretches (swinging your leg back and forth while standing) and dynamic hip flexor stretches (walking forward while lunging). The idea is to awaken your muscles and nervous system in preparation for more explosive bursts of activity, such as running, sprinting and jumping. Dynamic stretches are also said to enhance your balance and agility, thereby improving your footing and possibly reducing chance of injury (although studies have yet to definitively prove this.)

DOMS – DOMS is an acronym that stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. This is that, sometimes debilitating, muscle pain that you get after running (or any other intense workout). DOMS typically sets in anything between 24-72 hours after your run, and usually eases off after a couple of days. If you’re experiencing pain that lasts more than a week after your run you’ve likely injured yourself. If you have DOMS, the best way forward is to keep moving as much as you can (think lower intensity exercises such as walking, high intensity workouts with DOMS could worsen the effects). It is also important to note that keeping immobile could also exacerbate the pain and stiffness you’ll experience. Another way to ease DOMS is to soak your muscles in a warm bath with Epsom salt or to massage the muscles with foam rollers (a cut up pool noodle will also work).

Drop – the term “drop” refers to the difference in height between the heel and forefoot of your shoe. It basically refers to the angle at which your heel is elevated in your running shoe (or any other shoe for that matter). The greater the drop, the higher the angle between your heel and forefoot. Knowing what drop is going to be best for your feet is based on personal biomechanics and walking/running behaviors or patterns. For example, you may opt for a higher drop in your shoe if you experience pain or sensitivity in your Achilles tendon, whereas you may choose a shoe with a lower drop if you have a posterior ankle impingement (i.e. pain and swelling at the back of your ankle). The only way to be sure is to have your gait analysed (this can be done with a podiatrist).

If you’ve taken to running and would like to see how your foot mechanics and walking pattern factor into your running style and overall performance you can schedule a consultation with your local podiatrist who can perform a gait analysis and 3D foot scan. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit:

21/10/2022

Hot feet, especially during the evening hours, is more often than not a tell-tale sign that you have nerve damage. Nerve damage in your feet can lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy, which results in a hot, burning sensation that is often accompanied by tingling (think pins and needles) and/or numbness.

There are of course other reasons why your feet could be feeling hot, including infection, an autoimmune condition, hyper-thyroidism and a number of nutritional deficiencies (Vitamin B). It is also important to note that certain other conditions such as kidney disease, peripheral artery disease and certain infectious diseases (HIV, shingles and Lyme disease) have all been known to cause burning sensations in the lower limb.

So what can you do about those hot feet?

As you can see, there are a number of underlying conditions that may be the culprit behind that burning feeling you’re experiencing. Although, it bears mentioning, Peripheral Neuropathy as a result of diabetes is the most common culprit, where 30-50% of diabetics are likely to experience the condition.

It is for this reason that identify the underlying cause of that burning sensation you’re feeling in your feet is so important. To do this you’ll need to see a specialist (in this case a podiatrist is your best bet), who can perform a physical examination wherein they will test your nerve function among other things.

During your consultation, the podiatrist may ask you a series of questions in order to gain a holistic understanding of your symptoms and lifestyle in general. Insights gained during your consultation will help your podiatrist make an accurate diagnosis of the underlying condition. This ensures that the treatment options proposed are as effective as possible at treating your condition.

If you suspect you may have nerve damage in your feet we suggest scheduling an appointment with your local podiatrist who can help you in managing your symptoms and alleviating your discomfort. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit:https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

30/09/2022

As part of our series on common running terms😊. If you’re into running and would like a break down on some of the running terms you may come across then please do check out our other posts detailing terms for the letters A and B.

Cadence – Cadence refers to the number of steps you take per minute while you run. There are a number of factors that influence your cadence, these include your height, weight, stride and overall experience as a runner. Runners will often refer to their cadence when measuring their running performance, where both cadence (the number of steps you take per minute) and stride length (the average length of your steps) factor into the speed at which you can run. As a benchmark, experienced runners typically take about 160-170 steps per minute, while professional runners can take up to 180 steps per minute.

Cross-Training – When you hear runners speak about cross training they are referring to the practice of diversifying your running routine by including other forms of training, such as cycling, pilates, weight training, swimming and yoga. Apart from providing runners with a much-needed mental break, cross training is an effective way to avoid overusing your muscles, something that happens when you focus on one form of exercise alone. This is important to note, because the majority of running related injuries are as a result of overused muscles.

Compression Socks – These are knee-high socks that are used by runners to improve their recovery process after longer runs, such as marathons and ultra-marathons. The aim is to improve overall circulation to the lower-limb, which aids muscle ache and foot pain. Furthermore, a study conducted in 2015 by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that “wearing compression socks for 48 hours after a marathon improved performance by an average of 2.6% two weeks after the race.” (Themanual.com. Illuminati, C. 2022).

Chafing – Chafing occurs as a result of friction. Basically, fabric repeatedly rubbing against your skin (which is usually damp with sweat) could result in chafing. Chafing can lead to painful rashes and blisters which will negatively affect your running experience. To avoid this, we suggest wearing soft and stretchy clothing (think comfortable and well-fitted) that doesn’t have any abrasive seams in areas where your experiencing the chaffing (most commonly the inner thigh, but also check the seams in the under arms of shirts, or even across the chest). Another technique runners use to avoid chafing is to apply a lubricant, such as Vaseline, to the areas where the chaffing commonly occurs, this acts as a barrier between your skin and your clothing, thereby effectively minimizing the chances you’ll experience chafing during your run.

If you are getting into running and have noticed that your feet are particularly sore after our runs then you may want to see a podiatrist who can perform a gait analysis which will measure your walking and/or running pattern, so that you can better understand why you’re experiencing pain. A podiatrist will also advise on orthotics and/or appropriate running shoes that will help correct any abnormalities in your walking/running pattern. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit: https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

26/09/2022

There are many weird and wonderful things that happen to your body when you’re pregnant. Apart from the obvious growing belly and possible chronic acid reflux, you may notice some changes to your feet that can come at quite a surprise.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of foot conditions that are most commonly experienced when you’re pregnant.

1. Flat Feet – As you gain weight during pregnancy, the arches of your feet are likely to flatten out. This is because your body gains weight differently when you’re pregnant compared to if you’ve just put on some kilos as a result of one too many delicious burgers and the like. Firstly, weight gain in pregnancy is achieved pretty rapidly, this rapid weight gain and the flattening of your arch, means that your foot will roll inwards when you walk, creating strain in your feet, calves and back which can be quite painful. To remedy this, we suggest always wearing supportive shoes, such as trainers, especially in the later stages of pregnancy when rapid weight gain is more likely to occur.

2. Swelling and Edema – If you’re in the later stages of your pregnancy, specifically around the second and third trimesters, you may have noticed that your once normal looking feet have been replaced with what can only be described as two large lumbering marshmallows. This is known as Edema, it happens because of the increase in blood you have in your body when pregnant, where blood volume can increase on average by about 45%. This increase in blood volume, coupled with the added pressure from a fast-growing uterus is what creates swelling in your feet and legs. If you’re experiencing edema, the best course of action is to keep moving as often as possible. Prolonged period of sitting should be regularly interrupted by short walks to relief the added pressure you’ll experience in this position. Another great way to relieve the swelling in your feet and legs is to go for a nice long swim, where the weightless environment this large body of water provides will help to bring your swelling down. Wearing compression stockings will also help manage the swelling in your lower limb.

3. Ingrown toenails – unfortunately, as your feet flatten and possibly swell up you could end up with dreaded ingrown toenails. Most instances of ingrown toenails in pregnancy can be attributed to wearing too small shoes or socks, where the end of the toes have been compressed in the smaller fit. One thing to keep in mind is that if you’re experiencing flat feet and swelling than we advise you get a larger pair of shoes as soon as possible. Some women will opt for a comfy pair of slippers as an alternative, but slippers unfortunately don’t provide the required support for your flattening arch. We advise investing in a comfortable, but well fitted running shoe. Please also take the time to get the shoe fitted in the store, as your usual foot size and shape is going to be a bit different, especially in the later stages of your pregnancy.

4. Cracked Heels – if you’re pregnant and have suddenly noticed that your once smooth heels are now littered with painful cracks and crevices you can take comfort in knowing that this too is a normal part of pregnancy. Cracked heels are common in pregnancy due to the added weight gain and overall distribution of the weight which can affect your posture. To remedy cracked heels we advise investing in a urea-based foot cream (or any alternative that is appropriate for pregnancy). Apply the cream twice daily for maximum effectiveness.

If you’re pregnant and are experiencing increased pain and discomfort in your feet, we suggest seeing a podiatrist who can advise on appropriate footwear as well as possibly prescribing innersoles to help alleviate your symptoms. For more information about Helen Robins Podiatrist visit:
https://www.helenrobinspodiatrist.com/

Helen Robins-Podiatrist

01/01/2023

26/12/2022

23/12/2022

19/12/2022

16/12/2022

12/12/2022

28/11/2022

14/11/2022

04/11/2022

24/10/2022

21/10/2022

30/09/2022

26/09/2022

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00