Hurst Podiatry

Real question we get a lot: why do women seem to get bunions so much more than men?

It's not just bad luck.

Years of narrow toe boxes and high heels put a lot of pressure on the big toe joint, gradually pushing it out of position. And because women's ligaments tend to be naturally more flexible, that joint can be more prone to shifting under pressure in the first place.

The good news is bunions are very manageable, especially if you catch them early.

Wider shoes, bunion pads, orthotics, and targeted exercises can all help slow things down, and for more advanced cases, we offer surgical options too.
Noticed that bump starting to form? Don't just wait and see. Book an appointment with us and let's talk through your options. 👇

Foot Health FAQs: Why Are Bunions More Common in Women? | Hurst Podiatry Discover why bunions are more common in women, their causes, and prevention tips. Learn how Hurst Podiatry can help manage and treat bunions effectively.

Confession: half the questions we get in winter start with "is it normal for my toes to go this colour?"

Short answer - sometimes, but it's worth knowing which "this colour" we're talking about.

Chilblains, Raynaud's Disease, and Raynaud's Phenomenon all cause that classic white-blue-red toe transformation, but they're three different conditions with different causes and different treatment plans.

We've written a full guide breaking down what sets them apart, what triggers them, and what can actually help (hint: it's not just "wear thicker socks," although, also wear thicker socks). 🧦

If your toes have been acting up this winter, don't just wait it out — book in with us and let's work out what's actually going on.

The Difference Between Chilblains, Raynaud's Disease & Raynaud's Phenomenon | Hurst Podiatry Hurst Podiatry offers expert care for chilblains and Raynaud’s disease. Learn the differences between these cold-related conditions and how to treat them.

Let's be honest - most of us have pushed through uncomfortable shoes at least once. Or, you know, every day for years. 😅

well, if that's something you've done, we actually have an article that covers six practical hacks to make your shoes more comfortable: orthotics and insoles, breaking in new shoes the right way, extra cushioning for heels and flats, adjusting your laces (a surprisingly big one), blister pads, and sock choices that actually make a difference.

Worth a read if your feet have been putting up with more than they should.

And if you're in Melbourne and the discomfort has gone beyond "this shoe just needs breaking in" territory - come see us. We're in Kilsyth and Healesville, and we can check whether there's something else going on that's making things worse. Check out our article in the link below. 👇

Foot Health FAQ: How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable | Hurst Podiatry Discover simple hacks to make your shoes more comfortable and prevent foot pain, blisters, and discomfort with these easy tips.

🦶 Ingrown toenails: one of the most painful things podiatrists treat, and also one of the most fixable.

We once had a patient describe theirs as "someone sticking a knife in the corner of my toe and leaving it there." Which is dramatic. But also... completely fair.

The tricky thing with ingrown toenails is that people tend to either ignore them way too long, or attempt some truly creative home remedies that make things significantly worse. (Warm water soaks? Fine. Ripping the nail out with a knife? Please don't.)

There are actually really effective treatment options - from a simple in-clinic removal all the way through to a minor procedure that permanently stops the problem nail edge from growing back. Local anaesthetic, quick recovery, and you never have to deal with that particular edge again.

We've written a full breakdown of causes, stages, and treatment options if you want to know more - link below. Or if you've currently got one that needs sorting, just book in. The sooner the better with these ones.

What You Need to Know About Ingrown Toenails (Onychocryptosis) - Hurst Podiatry If you’ve ever had an ingrown toenail before, you can attest to the excruciating pain and continual discomfort that is…

Your shoes might be the problem. And the fix might not be what you think.

When people think about seeing a podiatrist, they usually picture orthotics or exercises. What doesn't come up as often - but probably should - is footwear modification.

The idea is simple: rather than trying to find a shoe that works for your feet from scratch, you take the shoe you already have and make targeted changes to it. Rocker soles, heel raises, metatarsal pads, stretching the toe box, offloading pressure points - small interventions that can make a surprisingly big difference.

It's particularly useful for people with arthritis, diabetes, limb length differences, bunions, post-surgical changes, or anyone who's been through a dozen pairs of shoes and still can't find something that feels right.

We've written an article covering the full breakdown of what footwear modification actually involves and who it helps - link below if you're curious.

Or if your feet have been trying to tell you something through your shoes, come in and see us. We promise we've heard weirder. 😄

What Is Footwear Modification? Benefits and Options Learn how footwear modification can relieve pain, improve comfort and support foot conditions with changes such as rocker soles, padding and heel raises.

Be honest - when did you last think about how you dry your feet?

Most of us don't. And that's exactly the point. The habits that quietly damage your feet are the ones you do on autopilot, every single day, without a second thought.

Things like:
— Wearing the same shoes seven days in a row
— Skipping the dry between your toes after a shower
— Cutting toenails in a curve (yes, this causes ingrown nails)
— Padding around the house barefoot on hard floors for hours on end

We've written an article going through five of the most common culprits - what's actually happening, why it matters, and the simple fixes that make a real difference over time.

Worth a read if any of those sound familiar. And if something's been bothering you, we're always happy to take a look. Book an appointment with the Hurst Podiatry team via the link below.

5 Bad Foot Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Feet Discover 5 daily foot habits that can lead to pain, fungal infections, ingrown nails, and heel strain, plus simple ways to protect your feet every day.