What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a dedicated branch of podiatry that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating foot and lower limb conditions caused by physical activity. By addressing the unique demands of different sports, our sports podiatrists near Seven Hills work to relieve pain and get you back to your chosen activity as quickly as possible. Beyond immediate relief, we also focus on recovery and correcting biomechanical issues to prevent future injuries. Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who enjoys staying active, our evidence-based treatments and advanced techniques support your recovery and help you perform at your best.
Common Conditions Treated by Sports Podiatry
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 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: Ankle sprains, caused by ligament overstretching or tearing, are prevalent in sports with abrupt changes in direction or movement on uneven ground.
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 develops when the tendon becomes irritated and inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness, often aggravated by movement.
Shin Splints: Pain along the shinbone, commonly known as shin splints, is typically caused by excessive running, poor footwear choices, or overuse.
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
Dr Angus Chard PhD is a Certified Sports Podiatrist near Seven Hills 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
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
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
If your goal as a practitioner is to help patients stay active, we can assist. Our team specialises in evidence-based treatments for foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries, focusing on keeping athletes and active individuals performing at their best. From injury recovery to chronic pain management and injury prevention, our treatments are backed by the latest research. Additionally, we offer falls risk identification, ankle sprain and instability risk profiling, and targeted 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
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.
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.
Footwear choice is a crucial factor in injury prevention and sports performance. Our podiatrists provide expert guidance to help you find the ideal shoes for your foot type, biomechanics, and specific sporting activities.
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.
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.
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.
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 areas for sports podiatry. Book your appointment with us today and start your journey to pain-free movement.