Running injury
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 is 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
Looking for a trusted Sports Podiatrist? We provide expert sports injury podiatry care across Sydney, with dedicated sports podiatrist services in Darlinghurst, as well as Chatswood, Surry Hills, and Potts Point. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or aiming to improve performance, our team offers personalised treatment to keep you active and reduce the risk of recurring injuries.
Heel pain/Plantar Fasciitis
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 and constantly elongates and contracts. This constant stretching can result in a tear in the soft tissue, most often at the heel.
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 and 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 confined to the heel bone itself and can often be confined 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:
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:
High arches can lead to problems such as chronic lateral ankle sprains, peroneal tendonitis (a tendon that runs down the outside of the ankle and into the foot), balance problems, midfoot aches and pains and poor shock absorption during gait — leading to foot, knee and lower back problems.
Footwear choices are very important when dealing with high arch foot problems and correct orthotics are essential. Orthotics for high arches need to be very precise to get good results and have been shown to improve postural stability/balance, reduce the incidence of ankle sprains and to help prevent injury if used correctly.
- 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 and swelling and clicking are all signs of this complaint. It 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 as well as 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
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Sports injuries involving the foot and ankle can be very painful. Allow Sydney City Podiatry to treat your injury today! Give us a call now for more information.
