What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a specialised area that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of foot and lower limb conditions related to sports and physical activities. Understanding the specific stresses each sport places on the body, our sports podiatrists near Castle Hill aim to relieve pain and restore function as efficiently as possible. We not only focus on immediate pain relief but also work to address biomechanical factors that may contribute to recurring injuries. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, our evidence-based approach and advanced techniques ensure a faster return to peak performance.
What Conditions Does Sports Podiatry Treat?
Sports podiatry supports the diagnosis and treatment of foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions. Whether caused by injury, repetitive strain, or biomechanical issues, our approach focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Common conditions we treat include:
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fascia inflammation, commonly known as plantar fasciitis, results from repetitive stress, overuse, or improper foot mechanics, leading to discomfort along the bottom of the foot.
Heel and Foot Pain: High-impact movements, extended activity levels, or biomechanical misalignments can contribute to discomfort and pain in the heel or foot.
Runner’s Knee: Pain around the kneecap is often caused by improper gait patterns or excessive stress on the knee joint, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility.
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: Stress fractures occur when repeated impact or excessive training places too much strain on the bones of the feet or lower legs, leading to small but painful cracks.
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
With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Dr Angus Chard PhD is a Certified Sports Podiatrist near Castle Hill and a Fellow of Sports Exercise Podiatry Australia (FSEPA). His expertise in Sports Podiatry is further recognised through his role 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
Not only are our podiatrists highly skilled, but they’re also athletes themselves. This gives them a deep understanding of how foot and leg pain can impact your performance, allowing them to deliver effective treatment that keeps you moving while supporting your recovery.
A Note for Referrals
If you’re a practitioner looking to help your patients stay active, we’re here to support you. Our team provides evidence-based treatments for foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries, ensuring athletes and active individuals can continue performing at their best. From managing chronic pain to treating sports injuries and preventing future issues, we tailor our care using the latest research and techniques. We also offer evidence-based falls risk identification and risk profiling for ankle sprains and instability, along with structured rehabilitation programs.
We welcome referrals from healthcare professionals who recognise the value of our expertise for their patients. Our collaborative approach ensures that every patient receives comprehensive care, and we’re happy to work within Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangements. Contact us today to learn how we can assist with your patients’ recovery and performance.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Your Sports Podiatry Questions Answered
If you’re unsure about your foot strike pattern or feel lost in the sea of running shoe options—from minimalist to maximalist to motion control—our skilled podiatrists can help. We provide evidence-based insights and minor technique refinements to enhance your performance and reduce injury risk.
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.
Sports podiatrists employ various techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries. These may include biomechanical assessments, gait analysis, running technique coaching, custom orthotics, footwear guidance, strength and conditioning exercises, taping, dry needling, and shockwave therapy. The treatment approach is tailored to the individual’s needs and activity level.
While general podiatry covers overall foot health, including nail and skin conditions, sports podiatry specialises in early assessment and treatment to resolve symptoms quickly, allowing you to return to your sport as soon as possible. It takes a performance-driven approach, focusing on injury recovery, movement optimisation, and injury prevention for athletes and active individuals.
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
Your feet play a vital role in keeping you active and performing at your best. Our sports podiatry services are designed to assess, treat, and prevent foot and lower limb issues linked to physical activity. By using evidence-based treatments, we enhance recovery, improve mobility, and reduce injury risks to keep you in top form.
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. Take control of your foot health—schedule your appointment today.