Sports Podiatry

Many sports injuries treatment and physical activity related injuries are caused by the overuse and repetitive strain to the foot and lower limb. The development of these injuries are often related to the following:

• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity type
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport / physical activity
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Foot/ankle biomechanics

Some of the common sporting injuries we treat include:

Plantar Fasciitis / Arch Pain / Heel Spur

Once referred to as a ‘heel spur’, this is not a bone injury but a soft tissue injury to the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs under your foot from your heel to the toes. The plantar fascia acts as a rubber band to absorb shock as you walk and stand, constantly elongates and contracts. This constant stretching can result in a tear in the soft tissue, most often at the heel. Pain is often greatest in the morning or after periods of rest. It is common in those with a flattened arch as the stretching on the plantar fascia is more significant but it can occur in any foot type. This problem is often misdiagnosed and confused with a heel fat pad syndrome. Both are treated differently so correct diagnosis is very important.

Sports and activity related injuries treated most often by podiatrists are called overuse/repetitive strain injuries. The development of these injuries is usually a combination of two or more of the following:

• Sudden change in the sport/physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport/physical activity type
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport/physical activity
• Foot/ankle biomechanics

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti inflammation advice
• Strapping techniques to achieve immediate relief
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to appropriate strengthening
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired

Fat Pad Syndrome (Bruised Heel)

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti-inflammation advice
• Strapping techniques to achieve immediate relief
• Appropriate cushioning to protect the heel bone
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to appropriate strengthening
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired

This is heel pain that tends to be isolated to the heel bone itself. The pain can often be isolated to the middle of the heel bone with pressure. Pain is greatest when standing for long periods, especially on hard surface without shoes on. The problem is caused by too much stress to the heel bone itself, often because the existing fat pad begins to atrophy and fail to absorb shock as well as it once did. The problem often presents with plantar fasciitis, but requires a different approach to achieve complete resolution so correct diagnosis is important.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a condition, which affects the Achilles tendon (lower end of the calf muscle), most often 2- 3cm above the heel bone. It is typically most painful in the mornings or after periods of rest. It can be a difficult condition to settle and requires careful management for full recovery.

Sports and activity related injuries treated most often by podiatrists are called overuse/repetitive strain injuries. The development of these injuries is usually a combination of two or more of the following:

• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity type
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport / physical activity
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Foot / ankle biomechanics

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti inflammation advice
• Strapping techniques to achieve relief
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice to prevent the reoccurrence of this complaint

Anterior Knee Pain

Knee pain (Patella Femoral Syndrome) at the front of the knee when walking up or down stairs, during prolonged sitting, swelling and clicking are all signs of this complaint. The complaint is a response to the inflammation of the under surface of the knee cap. It is related to maltracking of the kneecap during walking, and is often caused by a combination of factors which all need to be addressed for full recovery.

Sports and activity related injuries treated most often by podiatrists are called overuse/repetitive strain injuries. The development of these injuries is usually a combination of two or more of the following:

• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity type
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport / physical activity
• Foot / ankle biomechanics

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti inflammation advice
• Strapping techniques to achieve relief
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to appropriate strengthening
• Referral to appropriate specialist
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice to prevent the reoccurrence of this complaint

Shin Splints

Medial tibial stress syndrome is the term used to describe shin splints. The problem is caused by excessive stress on the shin bone and surrounding muscles. The symptoms include aching legs/tired legs and may progress to severe sharp discomfort in the lower third of the shin bone that stops activity. If left untreated, shin splints can progress to stress fractures in the shin bone.

Sports and activity related injuries treated most often by podiatrists are called overuse/repetitive strain injuries. The development of these injuries is usually a combination of two or more of the following:

• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity type
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport / physical activity
• Foot / ankle biomechanics

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti inflammation advice including specialist ice massage
• Strapping techniques to achieve immediate relief
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to appropriate strengthening
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired

Stress Fractures

Stress Fractures can occur in any bone in the foot and are common in the metatarsal bones i.e. long bones between the high point of the arch where the toes are attached to the foot. Stress fractures are caused by overloading the bone in response to training errors and, biomechanical imbalances and weakness.

Sports and activity related injuries treated most often by podiatrists are called overuse/repetitive strain injuries. The development of these injuries is usually a combination of two or more of the following:

• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity level
• Sudden change in the sport / physical activity type
• Poor muscle flexibility
• Poor muscle strength
• Inappropriate footwear for the sport / physical activity
• Foot / ankle biomechanics

We provide the following solutions:

• Anti inflammation advice
• Strapping techniques to achieve relief
• Advice in relation to appropriate stretches
• Advice in relation to appropriate strengthening
• Biomechanical assessment and treatment using orthotics as necessary
• Advice in relation to footwear
• Advice in relation to activity types and return to activity levels after the injury has repaired