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 Westleigh 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.
What Conditions Does Sports Podiatry Treat?
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: 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: 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: 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: Pain along the shinbone, commonly known as shin splints, is typically caused by excessive running, poor footwear choices, or overuse.
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
A Certified Sports Podiatrist near Westleigh with a PhD, Dr Angus Chard is also a Fellow of Sports Exercise Podiatry Australia (FSEPA). With more than 30 years of clinical experience and an Honorary Associate role at The University of Sydney, he stands out as a highly regarded authority in Sports Podiatry.
Evidence Based Approach
At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we are dedicated to providing evidence-based treatments informed by extensive clinical studies and the latest research. Our goal is to help you return to peak performance—both in sport and everyday life! Dr. Chard was a founding member of The University of Sydney's research team on "Talent Identification of Elite Adolescent Athletes."
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
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
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.
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.
Seeing a sports podiatrist before an injury occurs can help identify evidence-based risk factors and implement proactive prevention strategies. If you’re dealing with persistent foot, ankle, lower limb, or lower back pain, recurring injuries, or discomfort during or after activity, it’s time to seek expert care.
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 utilise evidence-based techniques such as biomechanical assessments, gait analysis, running form coaching, orthotics, footwear recommendations, strength training, taping, dry needling, and shockwave therapy. Each treatment plan is individually designed to support the patient’s activity level and recovery goals.
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.
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 areas for sports podiatry. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards better foot health.