Inflammation of the plantar fascia; this is the soft tissue that runs from the forefoot and attaches into the heel. Its function is to support and stabilise the foot during loading and toe off. Pain is experienced under the heel or arch and is usually worst first thing in the morning or walking following a period of rest. It is caused by abnormal function of the lower limb due to structural malalignment, muscular weakness or imbalance. Treatment by your Sports Podiatrist involves rest, icing, strapping, stretching and massage, addressing abnormalities in leg and foot function using orthotics and stabilisation exercises. Heel spurs can develop over time when there is excessive tension of the plantar fascia on the heel bone. Symptoms usually coincide with plantar fasciitis however pain is usually more pin point to the heel bone and usually also at the end of the day.

Can occur in any bone, though commonly diagnosed in the metatarsal (long) bones and navicular of the foot, as well as in the tibia (shin). Stress fractures are caused by overloading of the bone due to training errors and biomechanical imbalances and weakness. Treatment by your Sports Podiatrist essentially involves 4-6 weeks rest and correction of training errors and lower limb/foot function.

A broad term that describes inflammation and pain under the forefoot which can include bursitis, capsulitis and synovitis. Caused by abnormal foot function and/or poor footwear that results in overloading of the metatarsal bones. Treatment by your Sports Podiatrist involves improving foot function via footwear, orthotics with forefoot paddings and stabilisation exercises.

Bunions, known medically as Hallux Abducto Valgus is the deviation of the big toe towards the lesser digits. In severe cases the big toe and 2nd toe can overlap. Factors including biomechanical abnormality, hypermobility, pronation and instability of the foot, usually combined with inappropriate footwear, creates abnormal loading of the big toe joint and leads to change of joint alignment. This in turn leads to arthritic changes, joint inflammation (pain) and soft tissue swelling i.e. bursitis. As the big toe joint deteriorates and the big toe deviates towards the 2nd toe, the shape of the foot changes - making it harder to fit footwear and other symptoms such as the above mentioned Metatarsalgia and hammer toes can develop.

Once a bunion has developed and joint degeneration has begun, the changes are irreversible. An x-ray is usually warranted to identify the extent of alignment and joint change and allow for monitoring of changes. A supported and stable foot is essential in the management of bunion pain and to prevent further degeneration.
Your Sports Podiatrist will educate you on appropriate footwear and implement orthotic therapy to provide support and stability. Prescription of foot strengthening and control exercises are imperative. Gentle joint mobilisations can be implemented to increase the joint range, toe separators, toe taping and calf stretches are often given. Addressing secondary pain i.e. metatarsalgia, neuromas is also imperative.

Inflammation of an intermetatarsal nerve in the forefoot, commonly 3rd/4th (Mortons Neuroma). Symptoms vary and include dull ache, sharp / shooting pain, or numbness in affected toes, usually worse with tight shoes on. Due to poor foot function and/or tight fitting footwear i.e. ski boots, high heels. Treatment is similar to Metatarsalgia. Injection therapy can also be used a treatment modality.

Pain and swelling behind and around the kneecap due to malalignment and/or muscle imbalances in the foot, leg, pelvis or back or a combination of these areas, usually exacerbated by activity. Your Sports Podiatrist begins with assessing the biomechanical factors causing overload of the knee i.e. over pronation, instability of the pelvis, weak gluteal muscles etc and will create a management plan depending on the contributing factors. Treatment usually consists of a strengthening/stretching exercise program, running shoe and training advice and orthotics if necessary.

Wear and tear over time causes cartilage damage that changes joint space size and shape. This causes joint inflammation and pain as well as mobility and leg alignment issues. The original cause can be a genetic - structural malalignment, weakness of certain muscles or ligaments, cartilage defect; or developmental - injury, work related or secondary to an imbalance (ie. leg length inequality).

Management from your Sports Podiatrist involves thorough assessment of function and x-ray analysis. Treatment usually involves measures to avoid further joint deterioration including orthotics, improving pelvic, leg and foot strength and stability. Surgery is indicated for patients with unmanageable osteoarthritis.

Patello-femoral pain occurs when there is incorrect tracking or movement of the patella, as the knee bends and straightens. The patella rubs against the femur, instead of gliding correctly in it's 'groove'. When the structures that attach onto the patella are too tight (i.e. lateral thigh structures) or the inner quadriceps muscle is weakened, the patella is pulled into a poor position laterally. Eventually, too much incorrect pull and rubbing leads to inflammation, pain, swelling and dysfunction (ie difficulty walking down stairs and hills, feeling of instability, recurrent clicking and pain after prolonged sitting).

Your Sports Podiatrist will look if it is necessary to provide foot support with correct footwear and/or orthotics to improve lower limb biomechanics. We will usually work closely with a Physiotherapist who will undertake treatment usually consisting of relative rest, a strengthening/stretching exercise program, reduction of inflammation and taping.

Patellar tendinopathy is a painful overuse injury of the patellar tendon, due to excessive load on the tendon which results in degeneration and weakening of the tendon. Many cases of patellar tendinopathy also co-exist with patello-femoral syndrome and commonly seen in patients undertaking jumping or running sports. Treatment is very similar to that of patello-femoral syndrome.

The term shin splints is a general name given to any form of pain at the front of the lower leg. Symptoms are experienced at the front or inside of the shin bone and can arise from a number of causes.

A common cause of shin pain is due to traction forces on the periosteum from the muscles of the lower leg causing shin pain and inflammation. This has lead to the use of terms such as Medial Tibial Traction Periostitis. Symptoms include pain over the inside lower half of the shin, pain at the start of exercise which often eases as the session continues. Pain often returns after activity and may be at its worse the next morning. Swelling is occasionally present. Lumps and bumps may be felt when feeling the inside of the shin bone.

Other forms of shin pain which present similarly and need to be ruled out include stress fractures, stress reaction, myositis/tendonitis, acute and chronic compartment syndrome and nerve impingement.

A Sports Podiatrist will thoroughly assess your symptoms, your training program, your footwear and your gait. X-ray and further assessment may be indicated. Common management includes taping of the foot and/or shin which will allow the muscles of the shin to rest, use sports massage techniques on the posterior deep muscle compartment, prescribe strengthening and stretching, orthotics and shoe prescription and running gait changes.

It is estimated that Achilles tendonitis accounts for around 11% of all running injuries. It is the large tendon at the back of the ankle connecting the large calf muscles (Gastrocnemius and Soleus) that provide the power in the push off phase of gait, to the heel bone (calcaneus). Due to its poor blood supply and demand from the body during gait, it is prone to injury/inflammation and can be slow in recovery from injury.

It is important you obtain early diagnosis and rehabilitate the tendon properly to ensure a good recovery. Ultrasound or other investigations may be required. Usually rest, ice and modification of activity is indicated as well as a stretching and strengthening program. Your Sports Podiatrist will identify biomechanical overload factors and prescribe appropriate orthotics and footwear.

The ankle's stability is provided by a number of ligaments located on either side of the ankle joint, which are designed to protect the joint from excessive movement. A ‘rolled ankle' is when the ankle joint is taken beyond its normal range of movement and can result in tearing (of varying degrees) of some of the ligaments. Untreated sprained ankles can heal incorrectly, leaving the athlete with a stiff or weakened ankle and a greater risk of re-injury. If you have suffered an acute ankle injury and are suffering pain and/or swelling and bruising, it is imperative to consult with your Physiotherapist who will diagnose and manage your ankle sprain accordingly.

Some people naturally have hypermobile joints which make them more prone to ankle injury. It is very important for people with unstable ankles and whom are prone to ''going over on an ankle'' to ensure they are running on as stable platform as possible. This requires ongoing strengthening of the muscles around the ankle, ongoing proprioception training and a stable platform for your foot which includes stable shoes (appropriate for you) and orthotics that prevent over inversion of the ankle.

Heel pain from Sever's disease occurs mainly in active children aged 8 to 15 years old. Where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel is an active growth plate in children of this age group. Excessive tension from the calf muscles and Achilles (which are usually very tight) causes inflammation at the growth plate. Sever's disease is often associated with a rapid growth spurt as the bones rapidly get longer, the muscles and tendons become tighter and become painful at insertion sites, particularly the knee (Osgood Schlatters) and heel.

Symptoms of Sever's disease include pain at the back of the heels when walking and running and post exercise. A lump at the back of the heel/heels can also be present although this might be minimal. Pain and tenderness at the back of the heels, especially if you press in or squeeze from the sides.

Treatment from your Sports Podiatrist can include prescription of orthotics, heel raises temporarily, sports massage, shoe changes and the prescription of an exercise rehabilitation program. This is one of our most common paediatric conditions treated by our Sports Podiatrists.