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.
Common Conditions Treated by Sports Podiatry
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: Discomfort around the kneecap can result from biomechanical imbalances, poor gait mechanics, or repeated stress on the knee joint.
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: 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: Big toe joint pain often stems from trauma, excessive strain, or arthritis, causing discomfort and limiting movement.
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 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
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.
We gladly accept referrals from healthcare professionals looking to provide their patients with expert foot and lower limb care. Our team works collaboratively to ensure patients receive well-rounded treatment and are happy to accommodate Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangements. Reach out today to explore how we can support your patients.
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.
Sports podiatry caters to individuals of all fitness levels, from high-performance athletes to everyday exercisers. If pain, injuries, or movement issues are affecting your activity, our expert care can help.
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.
Selecting the right shoes can help prevent injuries and improve athletic performance. Our podiatrists offer tailored recommendations based on your sport, foot type, and biomechanics to ensure optimal support and comfort.
A range of techniques is used by sports podiatrists to assess, treat, and prevent injuries. These include biomechanical evaluations, gait analysis, running technique refinement, custom orthotics, footwear advice, strength and conditioning, taping, dry needling, and shockwave therapy. The approach is tailored to each person’s specific needs.
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.
Healing times differ depending on the injury’s severity, but we aim to offload the area during your consultation so you can keep training or playing. Your podiatrist will craft a tailored treatment plan to promote recovery and minimise downtime.
Stay Active and Pain-Free with Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Keeping your feet healthy is crucial for maintaining an active lifestyle and achieving peak performance. Our sports podiatry services specialise in assessing, treating, and preventing foot and lower limb concerns caused by physical activity. Through evidence-based care, we support recovery, optimise movement, and lower injury risks to keep you moving.
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. Get started on your recovery—book an appointment with us today.