Sports Injury Podiatry
Sports and Running Injury Management & Treatment
Have your Feet Assessed by Our Podiatrists
Pride Podiatry are Melbourne's leading podiatrists working with many athletes across a wide range of sports for podiatry sports injury. We provide first class sports injury management and treatment for injuries both acute and chronic to the foot, ankle, leg and knee.
The feet and lower leg play a significant role in almost every sport, and the demands placed on them during periods of intense physical activity can be immense.
Our trained podiatrists can assess and treat strains and injuries stemming from sporting accidents or overuse, and design a management plan to prevent injuries in the future.
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Modern Assessment Techniques from a Qualified Podiatrist
Correct assessment of a sports injury is the crucial first step on the road to recovery. Incorrectly diagnosing strains and injuries are the most common reason for delayed recovery, and can lead to permanent injuries if not treated properly.
Our podiatry experts are well versed in the latest techniques to assess sports injuries and commit to ongoing training to advance their knowledge of medicine.
Common Sports Injuries We Treat
Most commonly, we see injuries related to overuse or postural imbalance, particularly with runners moving up significantly in distance.
Toenail Injuries
Bruised, damaged, or lost toenails are common in sports. Professional treatment prevents infection and promotes proper regrowth.
Forefoot & Ball of Foot Pain
Metatarsalgia and other forefoot conditions caused by the repetitive impact of running, jumping, and cutting movements.
Achilles Pain
Achilles tendon injuries from overuse, sudden increases in training load, or biomechanical issues affecting the tendon.
Arch & Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis and plantar heel pain are among the most common injuries we see in athletes and active individuals.
Ankle Sprains
Assessment and rehabilitation of ankle sprains, from acute management through to return-to-sport planning.
Calf Tendon & Muscle Pain
Calf strains and tendon pain from overloading during running, jumping, and explosive sporting movements.
Knee Pain (PFJ or ITB)
Patellofemoral joint pain and iliotibial band syndrome, often driven by foot biomechanics and training errors.
Shin Splints
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) or traction periostitis, common in runners and athletes on hard surfaces.
Stress Fractures & Broken Bones
Diagnosis and management of stress fractures, hot spots, and acute fractures in the foot and lower limb.
Treat and Prevent Injuries Using the Latest Methods
Using the comprehensive analysis gained through assessment of your injury, we aim to provide both short and long-term plans for getting you back into sports.
Stage One: Immediate Relief
The first stage is to stop more damage being done, prescribe long-term pain relief, and remove loading on the affected area. This could involve:
- ✓Strapping or bracing
- ✓Massage and physical therapy
- ✓Modifying training behaviour
- ✓Changing footwear
- ✓Designing a stretching program
- ✓Custom orthotics
Stage Two: Long-Term Prevention
The second stage maps out a long-term strategy to strengthen the affected area and prevent injuries in the future.
- ✓Working with a personal trainer to design a strength and conditioning program
- ✓A long-term injury management plan
- ✓Regular evaluation of footwear, orthotics, and training to optimise your training plan
- ✓Stride/gait assessment
Podiatry Assessment and Treatment of Running Injuries
At Pride Podiatry we take a special interest in the treatment of running athletes. The importance of the foot during running cannot be overstated.
Foot Biomechanics — The Way Your Foot Moves
The movement of your foot has the ability to drive the movement of your ankle, shin, knee, thigh, hips and lower back.
Your Pride Podiatrist can carefully assess which movements might be contributing to your injury, and importantly, identify the underlying movement pattern at the root of the problem. We can then look at modifying these movements via footwear changes, strength and conditioning programs, gait retraining or orthotics.
Mismanaged Training Loads — Too Much, Too Soon
Developing a training program for running is no easy task. To maximise results we have a need to fit in long slow runs, interval sessions, fartlek training, hill repeats, cross training, gym sessions, recovery days, and more; there is not enough time in the week!
Your Podiatrist at Pride Podiatry can work with you to identify which recent change in your training might be contributing to your sports injury and help you redesign your training program to best allow for a gradual increase in running load.
Frequently Asked
Questions.
How quickly should I see a podiatrist after a sports injury?
+As soon as possible. Incorrectly diagnosing strains and injuries is the most common reason for delayed recovery, and can lead to permanent injuries if not treated properly. Early assessment ensures the correct diagnosis and fastest path to recovery.
Can I keep training with a sports injury?
+It depends on the injury. In many cases, we can modify your training program so you can stay active while recovering. The first stage of treatment focuses on stopping further damage and removing loading on the affected area, which may involve modifying training behaviour, strapping, or changing footwear.
What sports injuries do podiatrists treat?
+We treat a wide range of sports injuries including toenail injuries, forefoot pain, Achilles pain, arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, calf tendon and muscle pain, knee pain, shin splints, stress fractures, and broken bones. Most commonly, we see injuries related to overuse or postural imbalance.
Do I need orthotics for my sports injury?
+Not always. Orthotics are one tool in our toolkit. Depending on your injury and biomechanics, treatment may involve footwear changes, strength and conditioning programs, gait retraining, strapping, stretching programs, or a combination of these approaches. We will recommend what is best for your specific situation.
How do you treat running injuries specifically?
+We take a special interest in treating running athletes. We focus on two key factors: foot biomechanics (the way your foot moves and how it drives movement up the chain) and training load management (identifying if you have done too much, too soon). We can modify movements via footwear changes, conditioning programs, gait retraining, or orthotics.
Get back to doing what you love.
Book an appointment with our podiatrists and take the first step toward getting back into your sport — stronger than before.
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