Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Leading Children's Podiatrists Westleigh
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 Westleigh, 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 Westleigh
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.
Michael Chard, a Licensed Service Dog, provides incredible comfort and emotional support with his gentle scratches and cuddles. His calm and loving nature helps reduce anxiety in children and brings peace to those who need it most.
Our Approach to Helping You

Flat Feet
Flat feet in children, commonly observed after 18 months, are usually harmless and tend to self-correct over time. However, in some cases, they don’t resolve and can lead to lifelong complications. Just like regular eye and dental check-ups, early assessment is key to identifying treatable conditions. With proper monitoring, children can be guided to outgrow these issues effectively.

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
Toe walking is often seen in toddlers but, if it continues past age 4, it may signal underlying issues like muscle tightness or neurological conditions. Without intervention, it could result in joint pain or discomfort in the knees and lower back. Early evaluation is crucial to address these concerns, support proper growth, and maintain your child’s mobility 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
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
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
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
Talipes calcaneovalgus, or a vertically aligned talus, can cause excessively flat feet. While the condition often resolves naturally, it may persist, leading to flat feet in later life with associated strength and movement issues. Early assessment is crucial to support children in achieving important physical milestones such as walking and climbing stairs.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Expert Care for Kids' Feet in Sydney
A toddler’s growing legs and feet experience many changes. Routine monitoring and measurements are key to identifying concerns early and providing appropriate care. Early detection is essential for healthy legs in adulthood — take steps to safeguard your child’s future 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
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
Big care for tiny feet – make your little one’s podiatry appointment today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Helping your child thrive
Leg aches, foot posture challenges, and structural concerns can occur as children grow. Early detection ensures healthy skeletal development and helps them stay on par with their peers.
The Foot and Leg Pain Centre is dedicated to promoting early care for proper development.
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
Our treatments are personalised for your child, emphasising targeted approaches to promote proper foot development and ease any pain they may be experiencing.
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

Dedicated Professionals You Can Trust
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
Our team at Foot and Leg Pain Centre is passionate about helping individuals, from children to adults, achieve their goals while reducing pain and discomfort.

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
At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we provide a variety of treatment options. The best approach for your child will depend on factors like the location, type, and 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
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.
Give your child the gift of happy, healthy feet – book a consultation with Dr Angus Chard PhD or a qualified podiatrist near Westleigh now.

Meet The Team

Michelle Cuthbert
Michelle Cuthbert, a podiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, has a passion for children's foot health. As an avid runner, she understands the value of early intervention and is committed to helping children thrive through personalised care. As a mother of two, her dedication to young patients shines.

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
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Paediatric Assessment
Tiny feet deserve big care – schedule your little one’s podiatry appointment today.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, but having your child assessed early helps monitor their development and ensures they do. Ignoring potential issues can lead to unnecessary pain, and not all children simply grow out of these conditions. Podiatry can identify and address problems early, giving your child the best chance for pain-free growth.
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-footed children often experience quicker fatigue during activities and more pathological movements in their knees and ankles. Arch maturity occurs by age eight, but 39% of adolescents with flat feet may suffer knee pain, and 35% could develop hip or lower back pain. Since adult-like walking develops by age four, addressing abnormal foot positions early is crucial to prevent issues like toe-walking or pigeon-toeing in later life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Led by Dr Angus Chard PhD, the team at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre has the expertise, credentials, and connections with shoe stores and manufacturers to help you navigate the complexities of footwear options. For tailored advice regarding your child’s foot needs, reach out to 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.
We are a certified NDIS provider, offering services to all NDIS patients, including self-managed, agency-managed, and NDIS-managed individuals. We take a personalised approach to care and are sensitive to the extra time or accommodations some appointments may need, such as touch sensitivity or wheelchair support. Our team is ready to assist.
We are trusted by thousands of happy patients and our results speak for themselves





