What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a dedicated branch of podiatry that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating foot and lower limb conditions caused by physical activity. By addressing the unique demands of different sports, our sports podiatrists near Bella Vista work to relieve pain and get you back to your chosen activity as quickly as possible. Beyond immediate relief, we also focus on recovery and correcting biomechanical issues to prevent future injuries. Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who enjoys staying active, our evidence-based treatments and advanced techniques support your recovery and help you perform at your best.
What Conditions Does Sports Podiatry Treat?
Sports podiatry can help manage a variety of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Whether your concerns stem from injury, overuse, or biomechanical imbalances, our goal is to identify and treat the root cause. Our podiatrists frequently treat conditions such as:
Plantar Fasciitis: Overuse, repeated impact, or faulty foot mechanics can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia, a tissue band that runs along the foot’s underside, resulting in pain and discomfort.
Heel and Foot Pain: Heel or foot pain can develop due to high-impact sports, extended periods of activity, or underlying biomechanical imbalances.
Runner’s Knee: Excessive strain on the knee joint or misalignment in gait can contribute to pain around the kneecap, affecting movement and function.
Ankle Sprains: A sprained ankle results from ligament stretching or tearing, commonly seen in sports requiring quick pivots, sudden stops, or navigating uneven terrain.
Stress Fractures: Overuse and repeated impact can result in stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bones of the feet or lower legs, commonly seen in athletes and active individuals.
Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing stiffness and pain, especially during movement or physical activity.
Shin Splints: Overuse, inadequate footwear, or prolonged running on hard surfaces can lead to shin splints, causing discomfort along the shinbone.
Turf Toe: Pain in the large ball joint of the foot can develop due to sprains, direct impact injuries, or degenerative conditions like arthritis.
Why Foot and Leg Pain Centre?
Qualified Sports Podiatrist
Dr Angus Chard PhD is a Certified Sports Podiatrist near Bella Vista with over 30 years of clinical experience. His qualifications, along with his Fellowship of Sports Exercise Podiatry Australia (FSEPA), set him apart as a leader in the field. Additionally, he serves as an Honorary Associate at The University of Sydney.
Evidence Based Approach
At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, our treatments are grounded in science, drawing on extensive clinical research to help you recover and excel in both sport and daily life. Dr. Chard was a founding member of The University of Sydney's "Talent Identification of Elite Adolescent Athletes" project, demonstrating his dedication to advancing sports performance research.
Experienced Team
Our podiatrists bring both professional expertise and personal athletic experience, giving them a unique perspective on treating foot and leg pain. They focus on fast, effective relief while ensuring you stay on the field throughout your recovery.
A Note for Referrals
Helping patients stay active requires expert care, and we’re here to assist. Our team delivers evidence-based treatments for foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries, supporting athletes and active individuals in maintaining peak performance. Whether treating chronic pain, rehabilitating sports injuries, or preventing future problems, we use the latest research to provide tailored care. We also offer structured falls risk identification, risk profiling for ankle sprains and instability, and personalised rehabilitation programs.
If you’re a healthcare professional seeking a trusted partner for your patients’ foot and lower limb care, we welcome your referrals. Our team provides collaborative, evidence-based treatment and works within Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangements. Contact us today to discuss how we can contribute to your patients’ recovery and performance.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Your Sports Podiatry Questions Answered
Whether you land on your forefoot, midfoot, or rearfoot, or feel overwhelmed by footwear choices like minimalist, maximalist, or motion control running shoes, our experienced podiatrists can guide you. We’ll discuss the latest evidence and make minor adjustments to your running technique to help optimise your performance.
From competitive athletes to those who enjoy staying active, sports podiatry is designed for all levels. If you’re struggling with pain, injuries, or movement limitations during or after activity, we can provide targeted support.
Consider visiting a sports podiatrist before an injury develops to assess potential risk factors and create a prevention plan. If you’re already experiencing ongoing foot, ankle, lower limb, or lower back pain, frequent injuries, or discomfort after exercise, a consultation can help address the issue.
Proper footwear plays a key role in reducing injuries and optimising performance. Our podiatrists provide expert advice on selecting shoes that align with your sport, foot structure, and movement patterns.
To diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries, sports podiatrists use a combination of methods, including biomechanical assessments, gait analysis, running coaching, custom orthotics, footwear recommendations, strength training, taping, dry needling, and shockwave therapy. Each treatment plan is customised based on the individual’s sport and activity level.
General podiatry addresses overall foot health, including nail care and skin conditions, whereas sports podiatry is focused on early diagnosis and treatment to help you recover swiftly and get back to your sport. With a performance-based approach, it enhances movement, supports injury recovery, and reduces the risk of future issues.
The time needed for recovery varies based on the injury type and severity. We often provide immediate offloading techniques during consultations, helping you stay active without missing training or games. Your podiatrist will design a customised treatment plan to support your rehabilitation and safe return to sport.
Helping You Stay on Your Feet – Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Healthy feet are key to staying active and performing at your best. Our sports podiatry services assess, manage, and prevent foot and lower limb issues related to physical activity. With evidence-based care, we focus on recovery, improving movement, and minimising injury risks to help you stay at peak performance.
Serving Dural, NSW, and its surrounding suburbs, the Foot and Leg Pain Centre regularly treats 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 sports podiatry. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards better foot health.