What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a focused field of podiatry dedicated to diagnosing and treating foot and lower limb conditions caused by sports and exercise. By understanding the demands different activities place on the body, our sports podiatrists provide targeted treatments to relieve pain and promote quick recovery. We go beyond symptom relief to address underlying biomechanical concerns, helping to prevent future injuries. Whether you’re a professional competitor or simply enjoy an active lifestyle, our advanced treatment methods support your recovery and optimise your 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: Irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia, often triggered by repetitive strain, excessive use, or poor foot alignment, can cause significant foot pain.
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: 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 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 develop due to repetitive strain on the shinbone, often resulting from high-impact activities, improper footwear, or excessive training 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
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
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
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.
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
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.
Wearing the right footwear is essential for injury prevention and performance enhancement. Our podiatrists offer personalised guidance to help you choose the best shoes for your sport, foot type, and biomechanics.
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.
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.
Keep Moving with 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. Take control of your foot health—schedule your appointment today.