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?
Sports podiatry is designed to address various issues related to the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Whether due to sports injuries, overuse, or movement imbalances, our podiatrists work to find and treat the underlying cause. We regularly assist with 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: Engaging in high-impact sports, prolonged physical activity, or having biomechanical irregularities can lead to 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: 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: Discomfort in the big toe joint is commonly caused by joint sprains, trauma, or arthritis, leading to stiffness and pain during movement.
Why Foot and Leg Pain Centre?
Qualified Sports Podiatrist
Dr Angus Chard PhD is a Certified Sports Podiatrist 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
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
Our team isn’t just made up of experienced podiatrists—they’re also athletes who understand firsthand how foot and leg pain affects performance. With this insight, they are dedicated to providing fast and effective relief while helping you recover and stay active.
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.
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.
Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, sports podiatry can help. It’s ideal for anyone experiencing discomfort, injuries, or mobility issues related to exercise or sports performance.
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.
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.
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.
Recovery is influenced by the type and extent of the injury, but we often implement strategies during your visit to keep you active. Your podiatrist will create a structured treatment plan to help you return to your sport as quickly and safely as possible.
Helping You Stay on Your Feet – Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Strong, healthy feet are essential for maintaining an active lifestyle. Our sports podiatry team focuses on identifying, managing, and preventing foot and lower limb conditions related to physical activity. With an evidence-based approach, we help support recovery, improve movement, and minimise injury risks to keep you performing at your best.
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.