Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Leading Children's Podiatrists Parramatta
Supporting tiny feet on their journey
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 Parramatta 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 Parramatta
Recognising that medical visits can be overwhelming for children, we prioritise making the environment as comfortable and inviting as possible. Our goal is to replace fear with reassurance and deliver the highest level of care to each little patient.
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.
How We Support You
Flat Feet
Flat feet in young children, often identified after 18 months, are a common occurrence and tend to resolve naturally over time. However, in some instances, they persist and can lead to lifelong challenges. Early evaluation is crucial, similar to regular eye or dental check-ups, to catch conditions that may require intervention. Once assessed, children can be tracked to ensure they develop normally.
Intoe Walking
Intoe walking, also known as pigeon toes, is a common condition in young children and often corrects itself by the age of 4. If it persists beyond this age, it may result in instability, discomfort, or changes in movement patterns. Early intervention can help ensure proper development and avoid potential problems.
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
Metatarsus adductus, commonly known as banana foot, presents as an inward curve of the feet, typically caused by the foetal position and uterine pressure. Although it can resolve naturally by age 4, treatment is most effective before age 2. Without intervention, it may progress to a structural deformity, resulting in dynamic pain and discomfort.
Growing Pains
Leg pain following a growth spurt may be expected for a few weeks, but pain lasting more than two months is not normal. Experts identify these cases as muscle overuse syndromes that can be managed effectively. Children shouldn’t have to endure pain during growth, as the concept of growing pains is unsupported by evidence.
Severs
A common condition in children aged 7–12, Sever’s disease leads to heel pain during growth spurts. This issue frequently arises in active children but can also affect those who are less active. Treating the structural factors causing the pain can provide relief for all children.
Vertical Talus
Flat feet, occasionally due to a vertically aligned talus (talipes calcaneovalgus), can affect children’s development. Although it often improves on its own, some cases persist into adolescence or adulthood, leading to reduced foot strength and potential complications. Identifying this condition early can help children meet milestones like climbing stairs and running.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Sydney's Trusted Children's Podiatrist
The growth of a toddler’s legs and feet brings many changes. Consistent measurements are vital to catching potential issues early for timely intervention. Supporting healthy adult legs starts now — act early to promote your child’s well-being.
1-2 years
We carefully observe your baby’s journey to becoming a toddler, assessing their foot structure and development. By closely monitoring milestones such as crawling and standing, we can address any issues early.
2-3 years
During this time, we assess your toddler’s early walking, posture, and balance, identifying issues such as excessively flat feet. With expert advice, we help foster healthy movement as your child explores and grows.
4-6 years
As activity levels increase, we monitor for common foot concerns, such as flat feet, in-toeing, or toe walking, and address any clumsiness. This ensures your child’s feet develop correctly, allowing them to stay active with confidence.
Paediatric Assessment
Big care for tiny feet – make your little one’s podiatry appointment today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Helping your child thrive
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.
At the Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we prioritise early intervention to encourage healthy growth.
Your First Visit
At the first appointment, we’ll carry out a thorough and enjoyable assessment of your child’s foot health, creating a stress-free and caring environment for both 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
Our focus is on ensuring your child enjoys the best results, enabling them to move with improved foot health and confidence, all while remaining happy and active.
Why Choose Us
A Team You Can Rely On
Dr Angus Chard, PhD, is a globally respected figure in his field, a second-generation Certified Sports Podiatrist with vast clinical expertise, leading a team of dedicated professionals.
Committed to Caring
The team at Foot and Leg Pain Centre is committed to supporting people, including children of all ages, in achieving their goals and alleviating their pain.
Evidence-Based Care
With our positive approach and focus on making children feel at ease, we deliver treatments that balance evidence-based methods with clinical expertise. We present facts and options clearly, ensuring a supportive and relaxed experience.
Helping Little Feet And Legs
Our team at Foot and Leg Pain Centre offers a comprehensive range of treatments, customised to address your child’s pain depending on its location, nature, and cause.
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
Our Founder and Director, Dr Angus Chard PhD, a Certified Sports Podiatrist with over 32 years of clinical experience, is passionate about helping young patients balance evidence-based care with effective treatments.
Support your child’s foot health for a happier future – book an appointment with Dr Angus Chard PhD or one of our trusted podiatrists near Parramatta today.
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
Thomas Shannon is an experienced podiatrist and accomplished athlete with a focus on paediatric lower limb care. With a background in musculoskeletal strength, conditioning, and elite sports, Thomas offers exceptional care for young patients. He has 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 some instances, yes, but it’s crucial to have your child assessed to ensure they do. Ignoring problems can lead to unnecessary pain and missed treatment windows. Podiatry intervention helps identify and correct potential issues, supporting pain-free growth for your child.
While occasional activity-related discomfort in children is expected, ongoing aches in the legs and feet are not typical. Persistent growing pains are treatable once the underlying muscle overuse is identified and managed.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend parents have their child’s feet checked at least once, just like regular eye or dental check-ups. If your child has foot or leg pain, we’re here to help. Unsure? An initial assessment will pinpoint the issue and guide the next steps. For emergencies, always dial 000.
Ensuring children’s shoes are comfortable, with enough length, width, and toe room, is vital. Evidence strongly supports barefoot activity for healthier foot development, as the ground’s sensory feedback engages muscles. Even minimalist supportive shoes, however flexible, may interfere with this natural process.
The best choice of shoes for your child depends on their specific needs and goals. Sometimes, barefoot-style, flexible footwear is ideal, while in other cases, supportive shoes with varying levels of structure are necessary. Shoes should have a flat, flexible sole that bends at the toes and a front wider than the heel. Secure fasteners like laces or straps are key to ensuring comfort without excessive movement or slipping.
Under the leadership of Dr Angus Chard PhD, the Foot and Leg Pain Centre team brings extensive experience and strong ties with shoe stores and manufacturers to guide you through the ever-changing world of footwear choices. Contact our podiatrists today for personalised advice for your child’s foot concerns.
Yes, absolutely. However, we also understand the importance of balancing evidence with practical experience. Relying solely on evidence without context can lead to oversights. Below are references for the information shared 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.
As an audited NDIS provider, we proudly accept all NDIS patients, whether they are NDIS-managed, agency-managed, or self-managed. We emphasise individualised care and understand that certain appointments may require additional time and attention. Whether it’s touch sensitivity, wheelchair assistance, or other unique needs, we are well-equipped to provide support.
We are trusted by thousands of happy patients and our results speak for themselves
