Sports Podiatry & Injuries

Injuries to your legs and feet can be frustrating and can take you away from activities you enjoy or just living life to its fullest. At The Walking Clinic we understand this, that’s why we have been helping the people of Canberra keep pain free for over 30 years to help them keep doing what they want to do.

Our podiatrists will help you get the quickest possible and best performance outcome to help you get back to doing what you want to do promptly and with the least amount of fuss.

The team use the latest techniques and technology to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan for any condition of the lower leg and foot.

The Walking Clinic can help with a wide range of problems such as

  • Heel pain, Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis
  • Shin Splints or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)
  • Ankle Injuries or Rolled ankles
  • Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Pain
  • Foot or mid-foot pain
  • Knee pain or knee sprain
  • Patellofemoral joint syndrome
  • Running gait abnormalities
  • Improvement of function and performance
  • any problem to the foot and leg

Biomechanical assessment

At The Walking Clinic we focus on understanding the cause of your injury. We not only want to rehabilitate the current injury, but also prevent it from happening again. A biomechanical assessment aims to identify factors contributing to your injury, with the goal of decreasing risk of injury. A biomechanical assessment will include a history, physical examination and observation, biomechanical tests of foot function, as well as gait analysis.

Video gait analysis –

This allows us to closely analyse the movement and function of the leg and foot when running and walking. We use this information to identify excessive or injuring motions, and develop a method to alter the motion so it ceases to cause pain. Video analysis allows in depth analysis of gait and our podiatrists can help to improve the efficiency of your gait, helping you to work harder for longer.

3D pressure analysis –

The force plate gives our podiatrists an insight into strike patterns and pressure movement through the foot. The pressure plate shows accurate changes in rear foot and forefoot pressures through gait.

Functional assessment–

A functional assessment establishes range of motion and movement of ligaments, joints and muscles. This information helps your podiatrist to build a picture of the forces affecting your feet, and aids in diagnosis of your problem.

Treatment options

At The Walking Clinic we believe in a multifactorial approach to your health care. There are many modalities we implement to help you with your injury, and your podiatrist will recommend the best place to start, based on your presentation, history and functional assessment. Your treatment may include:

  • Strapping and padding to offload a foot structure to give it a chance to heal.
  • Manipulation of area to promote healing and recovery
  • Rehabilitation with movement, stretching and strengthening exercises to encourage resolution and future prevention of your injury.
  • Custom orthotic therapy to alter biomechanical forces and direct force away from injured structures.
  • Shock wave therapy
  • Imaging and further appropriate referral

Injury prevention

There are many factors that can influence how prone your body is to injury. Identifying and eliminating weaknesses can help you to remain injury free. Excessive motion in the feet can cause injury to the knees and hips, and even cause lower back pain. Your podiatrist at The Walking Clinic will help to identify and correct any biomechanical contributors to injury using strengthening, stretching, massage, padding or orthoses.