The Foot Place

12/10/2026

A stunning outlook last night across Oamaru towards cloud-covered South Hill

01/10/2026

Do you have pain under the big toe joint or under the ball of your foot?

Sesamoiditis is an overuse injury causing painful inflammation of the two small sesamoid bones and their surrounding tendons under the base of the big toe.

Symptoms
• Pain under the ball of the foot directly beneath the big toe joint
• Discomfort that worsens during weight-bearing activities, especially running, jumping, or pushing off the toe
• Relief from pain during rest or non-weight-bearing activities
• Mild swelling or bruising around the joint in some cases

Causes
• Repetitive pressure from standing on hard floors eg. Concrete, high-impact sports like running, netball, tennis, or dancing
• Wearing unsupportive, thin-soled, high-heeled shoes or hard soled work boots
• Biomechanical factors such as high arches or bunions that shift extra weight onto the ball of the foot
• Sudden increases in physical activity or direct trauma to the forefoot

Treatment
• Rest and offloading: Stop the activities causing pain and avoid putting direct pressure on the ball of the foot.
• Footwear changes: Obtain the correct advice, recommendation for your foot type
• Orthotics: Custom designed orthotics to offload the affected area(s)

If you would like a consultation, call us on:

Tel: (03) 6889900 for Timaru or
Tel: (03) 4349900 for Oamaru

or you can book online via our website: www.thefootplace.co.nz

Looking for trusted podiatrists in Oamaru or Timaru? The Foot Place offers expert foot care, orthotics, and treatments to keep you moving comfortably. Book your appointment today.

16/09/2026

Do your feet hurt when you walk, run or exercise?

You've probably been told you just need "more support." But that's not quite right.

Your feet move through different phases with every step — and a good orthotic isn't just about support, it's about when and how it acts during that movement. Get that timing wrong, and the "right" orthotic can still leave you uncomfortable.

That's why a proper assessment doesn't just check your feet standing still. We look at:
✅ How your feet move when you walk
✅ Where and when your discomfort happens
✅ What your footwear is doing
✅ How your whole lower limb moves together

Research backs this up — orthotics affect your movement differently depending on the activity and the exact phase of your stride. A one-size-fits-all "supportive" insole misses that.

Your feet are unique. Your orthotics should be too.

Book a consultation at The Foot Place

Oamaru Clinic 03 434 1900
Timaru Clinic 03 688 9900
www.thefootplace.co.nz

10/09/2026

Our Timaru clinic has moved!

We’re excited to let you know that our Timaru clinic has moved to a new location:

Our new Timaru address is 37 Hassall Street, Timaru

Please note, this change is for our Timaru clinic only. Our Oamaru clinic remains at its usual address.

We look forward to welcoming patients at our new Timaru location.

If you have any questions about the new location, please get in touch with our team.

www.thefootplace.co.nz
[email protected]
Tel: (03) 6889900

06/09/2026

Our podiatrist, Stefan at The Foot Place, has over 30 years of podiatric clinical experience within podiatric medicine. His focus is in obtaining an accurate diagnosis to enable the effective use of advanced treatments that can help with a wide range of foot-related disorders.

We have clinics in both Oamaru and Timaru.

You can either book online via our website www.thefootplace.co.nz
you can email us; [email protected]

or call us on:
(03) 4349900 - 99 Thames Street, Oamaru
(03) 6889900 - 37 Hassall Street, Timaru

10/08/2026

At The Foot Place, we are committed to providing expert podiatric care to help resolve foot disorders, improve your mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life. With clinics in Oamaru and Timaru, we offer advanced diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of foot disorders, ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of care.
Led by Stefan, a highly experienced podiatrist with over 30 years in clinical practice, The Foot Place combines internationally recognised gold-standard techniques. Originally trained in the UK, Stefan worked within the NHS and private sector before moving to New Zealand in 1995, where he has since built his own successful private practice.
At The Foot Place, patient care starts with listening. We take the time to understand your concerns, experiences, and the impact of your condition before crafting a personalised treatment plan. Whether we treat it ourselves or refer you to a trusted medical specialist, our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward pain free feet.

www.thefootplace.co.nz
24 Arthur Street, Timaru, Tel: (03) 6889900
99 Thames Street, Oamaru, Tel: (03) 4349900

Looking for trusted podiatrists in Oamaru or Timaru? The Foot Place offers expert foot care, orthotics, and treatments to keep you moving comfortably. Book your appointment today.

23/07/2026

Metatarsalgia – Forefoot pain

A Common Definition:
Pain or discomfort across the ball of the foot, specifically the metatarsal heads, exacerbated by increased load, increased duration of load, repetitive high-impact activity and/or an underlying medication condition.

Signs & Symptoms:
A sharp, aching, or burning pain in the ball of the foot.
A sensation that feels like a "pebble in your shoe" or a bunched-up sock.
Pain that worsens when you stand, walk, or run, and improves when you rest.
Numbness or tingling in your toes.
Development of calluses or thickened skin under the area.

Primary Causes & Risk Factors:
Anything that places excessive pressure on the front of your foot can trigger metatarsalgia. Common triggers include:
Footwear - Wearing high heels (which shift weight to the forefoot) or shoes with
tight toe boxes.
High Impact Sports - Activities like running or jumping can overload the
metatarsal bones.
Anatomy - High arches or having a longer second toe.
Medical Conditions: Conditions like arthritis, gout, bunions, Morton's neuroma,
Freiberg's infraction, rear foot equinus, gastrocnemius equinus or stress
fractures.
Weight & Aging: Being overweight increases forefoot pressure, while age-
related thinning of the foot's fat pad reduces cushioning.

Self treatment:
In some cases, you can manage and relieve the pain at home:
Rest: Refrain from strenuous activity.
Pain Medication: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can help reduce pain
and swelling.
Footwear Changes: Switch to supportive, shock-absorbing shoes with a roomy
toe box. Avoid high heels and completely flat, thin soled shoes or jandals.

If you need help please contact us:
24 Arthur Street, Timaru, (03) 6889900
99 Thames Street, Oamaru (03) 4349900
email us: [email protected]
or visit our website: www.thefootplace.co.nz

Providing the highest standard of podiatric care.

16/04/2026

As we move into winter, our goal is to keep you active and pain free.

Colder weather, reduced activity, and footwear can contribute to a range of podiatric concerns—including but not limited to biomechanical issues, affecting the way you walk and move.

You may notice:
• Heel or arch pain
• Foot, ankle, painful toes or leg discomfort
• Changes in gait or posture

Early assessment and treatment can prevent these issues from progressing and help maintain mobility and comfort throughout the season.

At The Foot Place, we provide podiatric biomechanical assessments and effective treatment plans. We are here to help.

📍 99 Thames Street, Oamaru and 24 Arthur Street, Timaru
📞 Oamaru: 03 4349900 Timaru: 03 6889900
💻 visit www.thefootplace.co.nz for online bookings

Looking for trusted podiatrists in Oamaru or Timaru? The Foot Place offers expert foot care, orthotics, and treatments to keep you moving comfortably. Book your appointment today.