Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Leading Children's Podiatrists Castle Hill
Nurturing little feet with every step
Paediatric Podiatrist
Does your little one regularly mention discomfort in their feet or legs?
Dr Angus Chard PhD, renowned for his expertise in children’s podiatry, leads the Foot and Leg Pain Centre near Castle Hill as its owner and Certified Sports Podiatrist. With a Doctorate in Lower-Limb and Foot Musculoskeletal Medicine, focused on Paediatric and Sports Injuries, Dr Chard has extensive experience in managing children’s foot and leg conditions. He works closely with the clinic’s podiatrists, who also specialise in paediatric podiatry, ensuring consistent and exceptional care for young patients.
Paediatric Podiatrist Castle Hill
A medical setting can feel daunting for children, which is why we aim to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that each child feels at ease and receives exceptional care during their visit.
As a Licensed Service Dog, Michael Chard offers unmatched emotional support through his affectionate cuddles and soothing presence. His calm demeanour helps ease children’s anxiety and provides comfort to those seeking solace.
How We Support You

Flat Feet
After 18 months, flat feet often appear in young children and typically resolve on their own. Yet, in some situations, they remain and may cause lifelong difficulties. Early assessment, similar to checking teeth or vision, is essential to address conditions that need attention. Regular follow-ups help ensure children grow out of any identified issues successfully.

Intoe Walking
Pigeon toes, medically known as intoe walking, are a common developmental phase in young children that generally resolves by age 4. If left unchecked beyond this age, it may lead to instability, pain, or changes in movement. Early care is key to supporting proper growth and preventing long-term issues.

Toe Walking
Although toe walking is normal in toddlers, persistent cases beyond age 4 can indicate conditions such as tight muscles or neurological problems. If untreated, it may cause knee, back, or joint pain. Early assessment can help identify the cause, prevent future issues, and promote healthy movement.

Late or Non Walkers
Children who haven’t started walking by 18 months may face underlying foot or leg challenges. Early assessment and periodic measurements help track and support their developmental milestones.

Banana Foot
Known as banana foot, metatarsus adductus results in a curved-in foot shape, usually due to pressure from the foetal position. While it often resolves on its own by age 4, addressing it early, ideally before age 2, is vital. Neglecting the condition can lead to structural abnormalities and chronic aches.

Growing Pains
Although leg aches are common during growth spurts, prolonged pain exceeding two months is considered abnormal. When addressed as muscle overuse syndromes, these pains can often be resolved. The belief that growing pains are a normal part of development is outdated and unsupported by current research.

Severs
Sever’s disease, which typically occurs in children between 7 and 12 years old, is a growth-related condition causing heel pain. While it’s often linked to activity levels, inactive children can also experience this discomfort. Effective treatment focuses on correcting the structural predispositions causing the pain.

Vertical Talus
A vertically aligned talus, known as talipes calcaneovalgus, can sometimes result in excessively flat feet. Although this condition usually corrects itself, persistent cases can lead to long-term issues, including reduced foot strength. Early intervention helps children reach critical milestones like standing, walking, and running with confidence.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Sydney's Premier Children's Foot Specialist
As toddlers develop, their legs and feet undergo major changes. Regular check-ups and measurements help catch potential issues early, ensuring timely care. Setting the foundation for healthy adult legs starts with early intervention — prioritise your child’s growth today.
1-2 years
This is a critical stage where we track your baby’s transition to toddlerhood, evaluating their foot structure and progress. By monitoring milestones like crawling and walking, we ensure they grow healthily and address any concerns early.
2-3 years
At this stage, we focus on your toddler’s walking, posture, and balance, identifying any potential issues like overly flat feet. We provide tailored advice to promote healthy growth and confident exploration.
4-6 years
As children grow more active, we assess their feet for conditions like excessive flatness or walking irregularities, such as in-toeing, toe walking, or clumsiness. This helps ensure proper development so they can move confidently.
Paediatric Assessment
Give those little feet the care they need – schedule your child’s podiatry visit today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Encouraging healthy growth for your child
Children’s growing bodies can sometimes develop leg aches, posture problems, or structural abnormalities. Identifying these issues early helps encourage proper skeletal growth and supports their active lifestyle.
We focus on early care to support healthy development at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre.
Your First Visit
During your child’s first visit, we’ll perform a comprehensive, enjoyable assessment to evaluate their foot health in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for you both.
Treatment
Tailored to your child’s unique requirements, our treatments focus on supporting healthy foot development and addressing any discomfort effectively.
Working Towards Your Outcomes
Our mission is to provide your child with the best care, fostering improved foot health and confidence so they can stay active, happy, and ready to explore.
Why Choose Us

A Team You Can Rely On
Renowned worldwide, Dr Angus Chard, PhD, is a second-generation Certified Sports Podiatrist with a wealth of clinical experience, guiding a team of expert professionals.

Focused on Assistance
The Foot and Leg Pain Centre team works tirelessly to assist people of all ages, including children, in reaching their goals and managing their pain effectively.

Evidence-Based Care
We pride ourselves on our friendly attitude and skill in creating a comforting atmosphere for children, offering treatments informed by both evidence and experience. Our approach ensures you receive clear guidance and a stress-free setting.
Helping Little Feet And Legs
We offer numerous treatment solutions at Foot and Leg Pain Centre. Your child’s specific care plan will be determined by the location, nature, and underlying cause of their pain.
While some children may need 3D printed custom orthotics, others could benefit from follow-up care, footwear suggestions, foot strengthening activities, posture and biomechanical assessments, manual rehabilitation, or walking and running technique improvements.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Angus Chard PhD
With more than 32 years of clinical expertise, Dr Angus Chard PhD, our Founder and Director, focuses on helping young patients achieve the right balance between evidence-based care and successful treatments.
Give your child the gift of happy, healthy feet – book a consultation with Dr Angus Chard PhD or a qualified podiatrist near Castle Hill now.

Meet The Team

Michelle Cuthbert
As a podiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, Michelle Cuthbert has a keen interest in children’s foot health. Her background as a runner and mother of two inspires her dedication to early intervention and providing customised care to support young patients.

Thomas Shannon
As a podiatrist and professional athlete, Thomas Shannon specialises in paediatric lower limb care. His expertise in musculoskeletal strength and conditioning, combined with his elite athletic background, allows him to deliver comprehensive treatment. Thomas has represented Australia in both hammer throw and Olympic weightlifting.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Book Now
Paediatric Assessment
Tiny feet deserve big care – schedule your little one’s podiatry appointment today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
In certain cases, yes, but an initial assessment ensures their progress is monitored effectively. Ignoring issues could result in prolonged discomfort and missed treatment opportunities, as not all conditions resolve on their own. Podiatry can provide the support needed to prevent pain and promote healthy development.
Some activity-related aches in children are normal, but persistent pain in the legs and feet isn’t. Growing pains that linger can often be resolved by pinpointing and treating the cause of muscle overuse.
Flat feet in children have been linked to quick fatigue during activities and more pathological movements in the knees and ankles. While foot arches mature by age eight, 39% of adolescents with flat feet are at risk of knee pain, and 35% may develop hip or back issues. Walking patterns mature by age four, and failing to address abnormal foot positions can result in persistent issues like toe-walking or pigeon-toed walking into adulthood.
An early assessment is the best approach for ensuring your child’s healthy development. At the first visit, we’ll take precise measurements and perform a detailed biomechanical and gait analysis. This helps track growth and catch issues early. Children, including infants, can develop foot and leg concerns, so prompt care from an experienced provider is essential.
No referral is required to book a podiatry appointment for any age or reason. Simply book online or call the practice, and we’ll collect all necessary details at your initial visit.
Regular foot assessments are as important as eye and dental checks for your child. If they’re dealing with leg or foot pain, we can help. If you’re uncertain, an initial visit will help determine the issue and the best treatment. For urgent situations, always contact 000.
Children’s shoes should provide ample comfort, with proper length, width, and plenty of room for toes. Research shows that barefoot walking is best for developing feet, as it promotes healthier, stronger growth. The sensory connection with the ground stimulates muscle activity, aiding proper development, whereas even minimalist shoes can disrupt this feedback.
Choosing shoes for your child should align with their needs and activities. Barefoot-like, flexible footwear is often suitable, but sometimes supportive styles are better. The ideal shoe has a flat, flexible sole that bends at the toes, a wide toe box, and secure fasteners like straps or laces to ensure proper fit and comfort.
With Dr Angus Chard PhD at the helm, the Foot and Leg Pain Centre team combines expertise, qualifications, and partnerships with shoe retailers and manufacturers to assist you in navigating footwear options. For advice tailored to your child’s foot care, consult with our podiatrists today.
Of course, we do. But we also believe in combining evidence with clinical experience for the best outcomes. Blindly following evidence alone doesn’t always address individual needs. Here are the references for the details provided on this page.
- Alfaro-Santafé, J., et al. (2021). “Effectiveness of Custom-Made Foot Orthoses vs. Heel-Lifts in Children with Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever’s Disease): A CONSORT-Compliant Randomized Trial.” Children 8(11): 963.
- Bleck, E. E. (1983). “Metatarsus adductus: Classification and relationship to outcomes of treatment.” Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 3(1): 2-9.
- Chard, A., et al. (2011). Effect Thong Style Flip-Flop Footwear On Children’s Hallux Sagittal Plane Motion During Gait. International Society of Biomechanics, Brussels, Belgium, publisher.
- Chard, A., et al. (2012). “Effect of thong style flip-flops on children’s midfoot motion during gait.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 5(Suppl 1): O19.
- Smith, R., et al. (2012). “Biomechanics of footwear design.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 5(Suppl 1): I1.
- Chard, A., et al. (2013). “Effect of thong style flip-flops on children’s barefoot walking and jogging kinematics.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 6(1): 8.
- Chard, A., et al. (2015). Effect of thong style flip flops on children’s sidestep kinematics International Society of Biomechanics in Sport, Poitiers, France, Sports Biomechanics.
- Chard, B.A., The effect of unsupportive and supportive footwear on children’s multi-segment foot dynamics during gait. 2017. USYD Thesis – DOWNLAOD HERE http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18659
- Gijon-Nogueron, G., et al. (2016). “Establishing normative foot posture index values for the paediatric population: A cross-sectional study.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 9(1): 1.
- Kothari, A., et al., Are flexible flat feet associated with proximal joint problems in children? Gait and Posture, 2016. 45: p. 204-210.
- Lin, C.-J., et al., Correlating factors and clinical significance of flexible flatfoot in preschool children. Journal of pediatric orthopaedics, 2001. 21(3): p. 378-382.
- Mauch, M., et al. (2008). “Foot morphology of normal, underweight and overweight children.” International Journal of Obesity 32(7): 1068-1075.
- McKay, M. J., et al. (2015). “1000 Norms Project: protocol of a cross-sectional study cataloging human variation.” Physiotherapy.
- Mickle, K. J., et al. (2006). “The feet of overweight and obese young children: Are they flat or fat?” Obesity 14(11): 1949-1953.
- Mudge, A. J., et al. (2014). “Normative reference values for lower limb joint range, bone torsion, and alignment in children aged 4-16 years.” Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Part B 23(1): 15-25.
- Redmond A, Crane Y, Menz H. Normative values for the Foot Posture Index. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2008;1(1):6.
- Sanders, R., Orr, R., Chiu, C., Chard, A., Tompsett, C., Fleeton, J., Davies, T., Fong Yan, A. (2018). Development of talent of adolescents in Australian sports high schools. In Pedro Morouço, Portugal: ESECS/Instituto Politcnico de Leiria.
- Staheli, L., et al. (1985). “Lower-extremity rotational problems in children. Normal values to guide management.” J Bone Joint Surg Am 67(1): 39-47.
- Sutherland, D. H. (2001). “The evolution of clinical gait analysis part l: kinesiological EMG.” Gait & Posture 14(1): 61-70.
- Sutherland, D. H. (2002). “The evolution of clinical gait analysis: Part II Kinematics.” Gait & Posture 16(2): 159-179.
- Sutherland, D. H. (2005). “The evolution of clinical gait analysis part III – kinetics and energy assessment.” Gait & Posture 21(4): 447-461.
- Wegener C, et al. (2011). “Effect of children’s shoes on gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 4(3).
- Wegener, C., et al. (2013). “Effect of sports shoes on children’s vertical jump performance and midfoot and ankle kinetics.” Footwear Science 5(SUPPL. 1): S58-S59.
- Wegener, C., et al. (2013). “Effect of sports shoes on midfoot power generation in children while walking and running.” Footwear Science 5(sup1): S55-S56.
- Wegener, C., et al. (2015). “In-shoe multi-segment foot kinematics of children during the propulsive phase of walking and running.” Human Movement Science 39: 200-211.
We are an approved and audited NDIS provider, welcoming all NDIS patients, including those who are self-managed, agency-managed, or NDIS-managed. We prioritise providing a personalised experience and are mindful of the extra time some appointments may require. From accommodating heightened touch sensitivity to assisting with wheelchairs or other specific needs, we are experienced and ready to help.
We are trusted by thousands of happy patients and our results speak for themselves





