Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Leading Children's Podiatrists Seven Hills
Helping little feet thrive with care
Paediatric Podiatrist
Does your child often feel pain in their feet or legs?
Dr Angus Chard PhD, the owner and leading Certified Sports Podiatrist at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre near Seven Hills, 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 Seven Hills
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.
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.
What We Can Do for You
Flat Feet
Flat feet are frequently seen in young children after 18 months and generally resolve on their own. In certain cases, though, they may persist and cause long-term issues. Conducting an early assessment is vital, much like routine eye or dental checks, to detect and manage conditions early. Post-assessment, children can be monitored to ensure they grow out of any potential problems.
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
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
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, common in children aged 7–12, causes heel pain during growth spurts. While it often affects active children, inactive children can also experience this condition. Fortunately, treatment for both groups is typically straightforward by addressing the underlying structural causes.
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
During a toddler’s growth, their legs and feet undergo significant transformations. Regular monitoring helps detect problems early, enabling prompt care. Healthy adult legs begin with proactive measures in childhood — ensure your child’s development is on the right track.
1-2 years
During this period, we monitor your baby’s transition into toddlerhood, keeping a close eye on their foot structure and development. We ensure healthy growth as they begin crawling, standing, and walking, addressing any concerns promptly.
2-3 years
We evaluate your toddler’s walking patterns, posture, and balance, checking for concerns such as excessively flat feet that could impact their development. Our guidance ensures they grow with healthy movement as they begin to explore.
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
Give those little feet the care they need – schedule your child’s podiatry visit today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Guiding your child’s journey to growth
As children grow, they may face leg discomfort, postural issues, or structural abnormalities. Addressing these early supports proper growth and helps them remain active alongside their friends.
Supporting healthy growth through early care is our priority at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre.
Your First Visit
Your child’s initial visit includes a detailed and fun assessment, focused on diagnosing their foot health while ensuring a supportive and comfortable environment for everyone.
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 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 Reliable Team for Your Care
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.
Dedicated to Helping
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
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
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.
3D printed custom orthotics may be helpful for some children, whereas others might need regular monitoring, footwear recommendations, strengthening exercises, posture and biomechanical assessments, manual rehabilitation, or technique corrections for walking and running.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Angus Chard PhD
Dr Angus Chard PhD, Certified Sports Podiatrist and Founder of our centre, brings over 32 years of experience, dedicated to providing young patients with a blend of evidence-driven and effective care.
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 Seven Hills today.
Meet The Team
Michelle Cuthbert
Michelle Cuthbert brings 20+ years of podiatry experience and a strong focus on children’s foot care. As a runner, she appreciates the need for early intervention and, as a mother of two, is deeply committed to helping children flourish through personalised treatment.
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 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.
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.
Early assessment is crucial for your child’s foot and leg health. During the first visit, we’ll conduct a thorough biomechanical assessment, gait analysis, and precise measurements. This provides a baseline for future monitoring, ensuring proper development. Even infants can experience foot and leg issues, so addressing concerns early with a skilled professional is essential.
There’s no need for a referral to book a podiatry visit. Whether online or by contacting the practice, we’ll handle everything during your first consultation.
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.
Comfortable footwear for children must have the right length, width, and sufficient toe space. Studies confirm that barefoot movement supports stronger, healthier feet. Direct sensory input from the ground helps activate muscle function for development, but even flexible minimalist shoes can hinder this natural 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.
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 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!