If it weren’t for our gumboots, where would we be – but what about the feet that go in the gumboots?
Without feet, we wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Day after day, mile after mile, our feet carry us around. We don't give a thought to this essential part of our anatomy until things go wrong – and then we're stopped in our tracks.
Feet might be something most people ignore, but not Tracy Wrigley. She loves them, she understands them, and her mission is to help everyone to put their best foot forward.
Co-owner (with Diane Coomber) of Pukekohe Podiatry, Tracy leads a team of three podiatrists tending to the feet of Franklin. It's something she's been doing for 16 years, and something about which she's gained knowledge in a very personal way.
“I've had way too much experience of sports injuries,” says the former international Kiwi Ferns rugby league representative, hockey umpire and football coach.
“But there's a bonus. It's helped me to understand podiatry as both patient and practitioner, and given me a special insight into the biomechanics of the foot; how people move and how best to approach foot problems.”
As a self-confessed sports addict, Tracy has a special interest in the many and varied injuries suffered by sportspeople. Pukekohe Podiatry is conveniently located in West Street, opposite the medical centre, and the team works with local physiotherapists and other medical professionals to treat sports injuries and get clients back on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. There's also technology to help.
“We have a machine that uses shockwaves to treat soft tissue injuries like Achilles tendon damage and plantar fasciitis. It's non-invasive and very effective.
“Our scanner is used to get an exact picture of your foot so that orthotic footwear can be custom designed to correct problems, whether caused by injury, anatomical abnormalities or disease.”
Many of those seeking help from Pukekohe Podiatry are diabetics.
“Diabetes is a massively growing problem,” explains Tracy. “Both type I and type II result in problems with the feet caused by circulatory restrictions. The reduced blood flow can lead to infections, and the nerves are affected so that the sufferer can't feel when injuries occur, making the problem worse. In the most serious cases gangrene can set in, leading to amputation.”
It's important to monitor diabetic feet from an early stage, and Pukekohe Podiatry offers a comprehensive care programme from initial assessment to measuring sensation in the foot.
Pukekohe Podiatry may not have those gumboots, but they do carry a comprehensive range of specialised footwear carefully designed to avoid damaging sensitive skin and to provide correct support for all sorts of problem feet. With four different brands to choose from, even Fred Dagg might find something to suit.
Feet that have seen a lifetime of service deserve a bit of tender loving care, and looking after them gets harder with advancing years. Residents of rest homes and retirement villages from Papakura to north Waikato look forward to regular visits from Tracy and the team to help make life more comfortable.
Sore feet can make life miserable at any stage of life. Problems such as ingrown toenails and verrucas are surprisingly easily dealt with at Pukekohe Podiatry, with minimal discomfort and often almost instant relief. Tracy says in most cases there's no need for a hospital visit for ingrown toenails, with podiatry treatment under local anaesthetic a quick and simple procedure usually allowing a return to work next day.
“For verrucas, we've been having a lot of success with an injected treatment that helps the body produce its own response – and not a scalpel in sight!”
Sport has been Tracy's life. She's been coaching football in Pukekohe and Papakura for nine years and has recently completed a training course for high level coaches. One of the youngsters she's coached is Nathan Hatch, who has recently joined the Pukekohe Podiatry team after graduating as a top student last year and completing the practical requirements of his course with Tracy.
“He's had a great introduction to his chosen career and seen a wide range of the conditions we treat. He's a very personable young man and is keen to continue learning.”
Constantly inspiring herself and her staff to improve their knowledge and skills is part of Tracy's ambition to continue providing first class service to Franklin.
“We're local, we're here to stay, and we're focused on pursuing best practice. We strive to do the very best for our clients, and that includes follow-up calls after treatment to check on clients' welfare. We also do diabetic clinics in Papakura and Clendon to minimise travel for patients.”
Tracy enjoys building long term relationships with her clients.
“We have people coming back to us even after they've moved out of the district.”
Tracy finds Pukekohe a great place to live and work, and gets a real kick out of keeping locals on their feet.
“We don't see good feet, but we have the skills and technology to give you the best possible version of your own feet.
“It gives me a real buzz to help make walking easier. It's incredibly satisfying to see clients walk away smiling. I fix people every day – how many jobs can you have where you get positive reinforcement every half hour?”
