Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Leading Children's Podiatrists Kellyville
Gentle care for growing feet, step by step
Paediatric Podiatrist
Is your child frequently complaining about sore feet or legs?
Dr Angus Chard PhD, the owner and leading Certified Sports Podiatrist at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre near Kellyville, has a special interest in children’s podiatry. With a Doctorate in Lower-Limb and Foot Musculoskeletal Medicine, focusing on Paediatric and Sports Injuries, Dr Chard’s extensive knowledge sets him apart in the conservative management of children’s foot and lower limb conditions. Dr Chard personally oversees all treatments provided by the clinic’s podiatrists, who also share a special interest and focus on children’s podiatry. Dr Chard’s qualifications, experience, and dedication to children’s foot health ensure an exceptional level of care in the field.
Paediatric Podiatrist Kellyville
We understand that medical settings can sometimes feel intimidating or overwhelming for children. That’s why we focus on creating a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring it feels safe and supportive rather than frightening. Our aim is to provide exceptional care and a positive experience for every child.
With his affectionate personality, Michael Chard, a Licensed Service Dog, brings comfort and emotional support to children. His calm and loving demeanour is perfect for easing anxiety and providing much-needed reassurance.
What We Can Do for 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
Persisting toe walking after age 4, while common in toddlers, can suggest muscle tightness or neurological challenges. Over time, this can lead to joint pain and discomfort in the knees or lower back. An early evaluation helps prevent complications, ensuring your child’s healthy development and comfort.
Late or Non Walkers
Delayed walking in children beyond 18 months could be linked to foot or leg concerns. Monitoring their development begins with an initial podiatric assessment and ongoing measurements to ensure healthy progression.
Banana Foot
Banana foot (metatarsus adductus) causes a curved appearance in the feet, often due to foetal positioning and intrauterine pressure. While it may self-correct by age 4, interventions become less effective after age 2, making early detection crucial. If left untreated, it can develop into a structural issue, leading to various aches and discomfort.
Growing Pains
Generalised leg aches and pains are often deemed normal shortly after a growth spurt, but experts agree that pain lasting beyond two months is abnormal. These issues can be effectively treated when identified as gross muscle overuse syndromes. Growing pains don’t need to be part of your child’s life—modern research shows they’re not an inevitable part of growing.
Severs
Heel pain caused by Sever’s disease often affects children aged 7–12 during growth spurts. Although commonly seen in active children, inactive children are not immune to this condition. Treatment usually involves addressing the structural imbalances behind the pain, offering relief for both active and inactive children.
Vertical Talus
Excessively flat feet can sometimes be caused by a vertically aligned talus, known as talipes calcaneovalgus. While many cases resolve naturally, some persist, resulting in flat feet that can affect children, teens, and adults. This may lead to weakened foot strength and compensatory issues. Early detection ensures children can reach key milestones such as standing, walking, and running.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Expert Care for Kids' Feet in Sydney
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
At this stage, we focus on tracking your baby’s development into a toddler, paying special attention to their foot structure and milestones like crawling, standing, and walking. Early intervention helps ensure healthy growth.
2-3 years
We monitor your toddler’s walking patterns, posture, and balance closely, addressing concerns like flat feet that might affect their development. Our recommendations support their healthy and active growth as they discover the world.
4-6 years
At this stage, we check for foot conditions like excessive flatness or gait irregularities, including in-toeing and toe walking. By supporting proper foot development, we help children move and play with assurance.
Paediatric Assessment
Little feet need expert care – book your child’s podiatry appointment now.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Guiding your child’s journey to growth
Growing bodies may experience achy legs, postural concerns, or structural issues in the feet and legs. Detecting these early promotes healthy development and ensures kids can stay active with their peers.
We focus on early care to support healthy development at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre.
Your First Visit
We aim to make your child’s first visit enjoyable, with a complete assessment of their foot health in a comfortable and supportive setting for you and your child.
Treatment
We develop customised treatment plans designed to meet your child’s specific needs, focusing on strategies that encourage healthy foot growth and alleviate any discomfort.
Working Towards Your Outcomes
Helping your child reach their full potential is our priority, ensuring they walk, run, and play with enhanced foot health and confidence in an active, cheerful way.
Why Choose Us
Your Trusted Team for Support
Dr Angus Chard, PhD, is an acclaimed Certified Sports Podiatrist with a global reputation, bringing years of clinical knowledge to his leadership of a collaborative team.
Driven to Support
At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, our entire team focuses on helping individuals, including children of all ages, to achieve their goals and find relief from pain.
Evidence-Based Care
Our warm demeanour and ability to put children at ease are paired with treatments grounded in both scientific research and practical experience. We provide clear facts and options, fostering a patient-centred, relaxed environment.
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.
For some children, 3D printed custom orthotics are ideal, while others may require ongoing monitoring, footwear advice, exercises for foot strength, posture assessments and biomechanical checks, manual rehabilitation, or adjustments to their walking and running styles.
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.
Healthy feet mean happy kids – schedule an appointment with Dr Angus Chard PhD or one of our skilled podiatrists near Kellyville today.
Meet The Team
Michelle Cuthbert
With over two decades of podiatric expertise, Michelle Cuthbert specialises in children’s foot health. A runner and mother of two young girls, she is passionate about the importance of early intervention and delivering tailored care to support children’s well-being.
Thomas Shannon
Thomas Shannon, a talented podiatrist and elite athlete, has a strong interest in paediatric lower limb care. Leveraging his expertise in strength, conditioning, and athletics, he provides tailored care for young patients. Thomas proudly represented Australia in 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.
It’s common for children to experience occasional activity-related aches similar to adults, but persistent tired, achy legs and feet are not normal. Persistent growing pains can be effectively managed by identifying and addressing the root cause of muscle overuse.
Children with flat feet often tire quickly during physical activities and may exhibit abnormal knee and ankle movements. Arch maturity is typically achieved by age eight, but 39% of adolescents with flat feet may experience knee pain, while 35% could develop hip or lower back pain. Since adult-like walking patterns mature by age four, ignoring abnormal foot positions can lead to retained walking styles like pigeon-toeing, bow-leggedness, or toe-walking into adulthood.
Starting assessments early is always best. During the initial visit, your child’s feet and legs will be carefully measured and evaluated with a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis. Accurate measurements allow us to monitor their growth over time. Foot and leg issues can occur at any age, so early attention from a knowledgeable professional is vital.
You don’t need a referral to arrange a podiatry appointment. Book online or get in touch with us directly, and we’ll ensure everything is covered during your initial assessment.
Having your child’s feet checked, like their eyes or teeth, is essential. If they’re experiencing pain, we can provide support. Even if you’re unsure, an initial assessment can identify potential issues and recommend a solution. For emergencies, remember to call 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.
Selecting the right shoes for your child depends on the intended purpose. Barefoot-like, flexible footwear may suit some situations, while more supportive styles with different levels of support may be required in others. Look for shoes with flat, flexible soles that bend near the toes and a front wider than the heel. Secure fasteners such as laces or straps help keep feet comfortable and prevent slipping.
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.
Certainly, we do. That said, we also prioritise blending evidence with real-world experience, as evidence alone doesn’t always tell the full story. Below, you’ll find references supporting the information presented here.
- 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.
As an approved and audited NDIS provider, we welcome all patients, whether self-managed, agency-managed, or NDIS-managed. We value personalised care and recognise that some appointments may require additional time or specific accommodations. From touch sensitivity to mobility support, we are here to provide compassionate and experienced assistance.
We are trusted by thousands of happy patients and our results speak for themselves
Families in Dural, NSW, and nearby suburbs trust the Foot and Leg Pain Centre for paediatric podiatry. We serve patients from Westmead, Richmond, Arcadia, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Galston, Glenhaven, Hornsby, Kellyville, Northmead, Norwest, Rouse Hill, Westleigh, Kenthurst, Parramatta, Seven Hills and more areas for paediatric podiatry. Secure your child’s appointment today!