Merridy Lithgow
Academic Casual - PodiatrySchool of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
Merridy is a passionate and friendly podiatrist, with experience across all areas of podiatry. She has a special interest in treating musculoskeletal conditions, with extensive knowledge of biomechanics as well as general skin and nail care.
Merridy has a Bachelor of Podiatry with Honours (First Class) from the University of South Australia. Following a season in Canada making custom orthotics for ski and snowboard boots, Merridy returned to work in Adelaide where she worked in a busy metropolitan private practice, with a focus on biomechanics and sporting injuries. Here she gained experience in orthotic and exercise prescription, along with using Radial Shockwave Therapy – an adjunct treatment used in many overuse muscle and tendon injuries.
After five years of practice, she completed a Masters in Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom. This course focused on the latest in treatment for musculoskeletal injuries in the lower limb. While studying in the UK Merridy worked within a multidisciplinary practice alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths, and other health professionals.
Along with working privately at Performance Podiatry, Merridy is a lecturer at Central Queensland University (Sydney campus), in which she has lectured in Rheumatology and Advanced Anatomy and Podiatric Biomechanics. She is also the lead clinical supervisor for second, third and fourth year podiatry students at the university’s student clinic.
Merridy is currently undertaking a PhD and is conducting research into the lower limb biomechanics of people with midfoot osteoarthritis.
Merridy loves learning – constantly seeking opportunities to diversify and refine her podiatry skills. She has completed courses in running retraining, dry needling, techniques for foot and ankle strengthening, shockwave therapy, laser for fungal nails and biomechanics workshops in Australia and overseas.
Universities Studied At
La Trobe University, Australia - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - 2019 - Current
University of Brighton, United Kingdom - Masters of Podiatry in Clinical Biomechanics - 2015 - 2017
University of South Australia, Australia - Bachelor of Podiatry (with first class honours) - 2009 – 2012
Awards
CQUniversity Opal Award for Excellence in Social Innovation - 'Sydney PALS (Podiatry and Language Support) - Making a Difference to Communities in Need' - grant value $2500 (2018)
CQUniversity Opal Award for Excellence in Engagement - 'Multidisciplinary Homeless Initiative: Advancing and Promoting Health and Healthcare Access for People who are Homeless' - grant value $2500 (2018)
SA Podiatry Conference - Best student presentation – “The use of antibiotic therapy in the management of infected ingrown toe nails – a systematic review” (2012)
Professional Experience
Orthotic Prescription & 3D Tech Update by Footwork (Sydney) August 2019
Australian National Podiatry Conference (Adelaide, Australia) May 2019
Achilles Pain Webinar – Simon Bartold November 2018
Heel Pain Symposium (LaTrobe University, Melbourne) November 2018
Infection Control Workshop - Brenda Tonkin (Brisbane) October 2018
Orthotic manufacturing course (UniSA) August 2018
Clinical Edge Running Repairs Online Course June 2018
Running Rehab Master Class – Rich Will (+ Christian Barton) June 2018
Radial Shockwave Therapy Master Course Level 1 (EMS Dolorclast) May 2018
Explain Pain Course (noi group) with David Butler and Tim Cocks (Canberra) April 2018
Running Rehab Retraining Course Christian Barton (Melbourne) October 2017
Run Courses – Trigger Point Dry Needling Course (Melbourne) September 2017
National Australian Podiatry Conference (Melbourne) May 2017
Strong Feet Two day course – Tim Bransdon November 2016
Craig Payne Online Biomechanics Bootcamp September 2016
Biomechanics Bootcamp Craig Payne (London, UK) June 2016
Langer Biomechanics Conference (Manchester, UK) June 2016
Stafford Conference on Clinical Biomechanics (Staffordshire, UK) April 2016
UK Footwear Science Meeting at Staffordshire University (Staffordshire, UK) April 2016
Robert Isaacs MSK Biomechanics study day (Reigate, UK) February 2016
Muscle & Tendon International Conference (7th ECOSEP Congress) Barcelona October 2015
Ted Jedynak - Foot mobilisation techniques level 2 course (Manipulations) August 2015
Radiology update – Managing lower leg, foot and ankle pain Education June 2015
National Australian Podiatry Conference Gold Coast May 2015
Ted Jedynak “Fix More Feet” Foot mobilisation techniques Level 1 course July 2014
South Australia Podiatry Conference May 2014
Dry needling for the lower limb – City Physiotherapy Sports Injury Clinic Nov 2013
Neurodynamic Workshop for Podiatrists October 2013
Craig Payne Clinical Biomechanics Bootcamp (Adelaide) June 2013
National Australian Podiatry Conference Sydney May 2013
South Australia Podiatry Conference May 2012
Podiatry Assoc SA “Clinical update – pharmacology “ July 2012