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
From injuries to overuse and biomechanical imbalances, sports podiatry provides solutions for a range of foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions. Our podiatrists take a targeted approach to identify and treat the cause of discomfort, commonly managing 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: Discomfort around the kneecap can result from biomechanical imbalances, poor gait mechanics, or repeated stress on the knee joint.
Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains occur when ligaments are overstretched or torn, often happening in sports that involve sudden direction changes or movement on uneven 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: Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing stiffness and pain, especially during movement or physical activity.
Shin Splints: Shin splints cause pain along the shinbone, often triggered by overuse, improper footwear, or frequent running on hard surfaces.
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 and Fellow of Sports Exercise Podiatry Australia (FSEPA), making him a recognised leader in the profession. With over 30 years of experience and an Honorary Associate position at The University of Sydney, he brings exceptional knowledge to his practice.
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.
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
No matter if you’re a forefoot, midfoot, or rearfoot striker, or struggling to choose between minimalist, maximalist, or motion control running shoes, our podiatrists are here to help. We’ll break down the science behind these options and refine your running technique with small adjustments to improve your efficiency.
Sports podiatry benefits individuals at all activity levels, from elite athletes to casual exercisers. It’s especially useful for those dealing with pain, injuries, or movement challenges during or after physical activity.
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.
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 focuses on foot health, including skin and nail care, while sports podiatry takes a proactive, performance-based approach to treating and preventing injuries. It emphasises early intervention and rehabilitation, helping athletes and active individuals recover efficiently and enhance movement.
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.
Support for Your Active Lifestyle at Foot and Leg Pain Centre
Healthy feet are key to staying active and performing at your best. Our sports podiatry services assess, manage, and prevent foot and lower limb issues related to physical activity. With evidence-based care, we focus on recovery, improving movement, and minimising injury risks to help you stay at peak performance.
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.