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 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.
How Can Sports Podiatry Help You?
From injuries to overuse and biomechanical imbalances, sports podiatry provides solutions for a range of foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions. Our podiatrists take a targeted approach to identify and treat the cause of discomfort, commonly managing conditions such as:
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue along the foot’s sole becomes inflamed due to excessive impact, overuse, or biomechanical imbalances.
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: Excessive strain on the knee joint or misalignment in gait can contribute to pain around the kneecap, affecting movement and function.
Ankle Sprains: When ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn, it can lead to a sprain, frequently occurring in activities involving rapid movements and unstable surfaces.
Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are small cracks in the bones of the feet or lower legs, often resulting from repetitive impact, excessive training, or overuse.
Achilles Tendonitis: Stiffness and pain in the Achilles tendon are common signs of inflammation, typically worsened by activity and repetitive strain.
Shin Splints: Shin splints cause pain along the shinbone, often triggered by overuse, improper footwear, or frequent running on hard surfaces.
Turf Toe: Pain in and around the big ball joint of the foot, often resulting from spraining the joint, direct trauma and or arthritis.
Why Foot and Leg Pain Centre?
Qualified Sports Podiatrist
Dr Angus Chard PhD is a Certified Sports Podiatrist and Fellow of Sports Exercise Podiatry Australia (FSEPA), making him a recognised leader in the profession. With over 30 years of experience and an Honorary Associate position at The University of Sydney, he brings exceptional knowledge to his practice.
Evidence Based Approach
Passionate about evidence-based care, Foot and Leg Pain Centre offers treatments backed by clinical studies and up-to-date research to help you perform at your best—whether in sports or daily activities! Dr. Chard played a key role as a founding member of The University of Sydney's "Talent Identification of Elite Adolescent Athletes" research team.
Experienced Team
As both experienced podiatrists and athletes, our team recognises the toll foot and leg pain can take on your performance. They are committed to providing rapid relief while guiding you through a rehabilitation process that keeps you active.
A Note for Referrals
For practitioners seeking to keep their patients active and injury-free, we offer expert support. Our evidence-based treatments target foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries, with a strong emphasis on helping athletes and active individuals perform at their peak. Whether it’s managing chronic conditions, addressing sports injuries, or implementing preventative strategies, our approach is guided by the latest research. We also provide falls risk identification and ankle instability risk profiling, complemented by comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Healthcare professionals are welcome to refer patients who could benefit from our specialised care. We take a collaborative approach, ensuring comprehensive treatment and seamless integration with Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangements. Get in touch today to discuss how we can support 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 are confused by the range of footwear options available, our expert podiatrists can help. We’ll discuss the latest research and fine-tune your running technique with subtle changes to boost efficiency and performance.
Sports podiatry benefits individuals at all activity levels, from elite athletes to casual exercisers. It’s especially useful for those dealing with pain, injuries, or movement challenges during or after physical activity.
A proactive visit to a sports podiatrist can help identify risks and prevent injuries before they happen. If you’re struggling with persistent foot, ankle, lower limb, or lower back pain, or recurring discomfort during or after activity, professional assessment and treatment can make a difference.
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.
Unlike general podiatry, which deals with foot health concerns such as nail and skin conditions, sports podiatry is geared toward rapid assessment and treatment to get you back into action quickly. It prioritises movement efficiency, injury prevention, and recovery for athletes and active individuals.
Recovery times depend on the nature and severity of the injury. In most cases, we can offload the affected area during your consultation, allowing you to continue training or playing. Your podiatrist will develop a personalised treatment plan to ensure a safe and efficient return to activity.
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. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards better foot health.