Sport & MSK Podiatry

Our Sport & Musculoskeletal (MSK) Podiatry service provides expert biomechanical assessment & management of foot, ankle & lower-limb conditions for active individuals & athletes of all levels. We specialise in both acute & chronic injuries, recognising that pain is often driven by how load is applied & tolerated over time rather than by a single structural issue. Whether you are managing heel pain, Achilles tendon symptoms, stress-related injuries, forefoot pain or long-standing mechanical problems, our focus is on identifying the true contributors to symptoms rather than simply treating where pain is felt.

Each appointment begins with a detailed clinical history & comprehensive biomechanical assessment. We evaluate joint mobility, foot posture, balance & movement control across the lower limb, while also considering training history, footwear choices & recent changes in load. Where appropriate, assessments are enhanced with objective testing, including plantar pressure analysis, VALD strength testing & gait analysis, allowing us to quantify deficits, asymmetries & compensatory strategies that may not be visible during standard examination. This ensures clinical decisions are guided by measurable data rather than assumption.

Management is fully individualised & evidence-informed, integrating education, targeted rehabilitation, load-management strategies & footwear modification. Where indicated, PHITS custom foot orthoses, shockwave therapy or referral for strength & conditioning support may be incorporated as part of a wider plan. Interventions are selected to complement one another, ensuring mechanical support, strength development & load progression work together to reduce pain & restore function.

Crucially, our approach is centred on long-term outcomes, not short-term fixes. By improving movement efficiency, load tolerance & confidence in activity, we help patients return safely to sport & maintain consistency in training & everyday life. This integrated, performance-driven model ensures care extends beyond symptom relief, supporting resilience, durability & sustainable participation in sport & activity.

Sport & MSK Podiatry can hep with

Assessment, diagnosis & management of a wide range of foot, ankle & lower-limb conditions affecting active individuals, runners & athletes of all ages. Our approach goes beyond symptom relief, focusing on identifying the mechanical, strength & load-related drivers of pain that contribute to injury & recurrence.

We commonly manage conditions such as plantar heel & arch pain, Achilles tendon injuries, forefoot & toe pain, ankle instability, shin pain & running-related overuse injuries. Each condition is assessed within the context of movement, training load & footwear to ensure contributing factors are fully understood.

We also support patients with knee & hip pain influenced by foot & lower-limb mechanics, as well as paediatric gait & developmental concerns. By combining clinical expertise with objective assessment, Sport & MSK Podiatry helps restore function, reduce pain & supports confidence in long-term participation in sport & activity.

Detailed History

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Understanding your daily & sporting demands helps us identify whether your pain is related to overload, poor recovery, reduced capacity, biomechanics, or a combination of factors.

The history of your symptoms
Your day-to-day activity levels & work demands
Your sport, training load & weekly routine
How your injury behaves (morning pain, warm-up patterns, activity triggers)
Your footwear choices (everyday shoes, work shoes, trainers, boots)
Any previous injuries or surgeries that may influence mechanics

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

By understanding your load capacity, we can accurately determine whether your pain is caused by weakness, stiffness, fatigue, training errors or poor mechanics. We can then build a plan around the findings. Depending on your injury we assess

Foot posture, arch behaviour & heel alignment
Ankle mobility & stability
Knee tracking & hip stability
Calf–Achilles strength
Knee control under load
Hip & glute strength
Tendon capacity (important for running & walking tolerance)

Footscan® Analysis

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Footscan® Analysis

Footscan pressure analysis provides detailed dynamic data about how you walk or run. It highlights mechanical issues that the eye can’t see, giving us a precise map of how pressure travels through your feet.

High-pressure zones causing pain
Medial vs lateral loading imbalances
Overloading of metatarsals, forefoot joints or heel structures
Excessive or delayed pronation
Poor midfoot control
Abnormal push-off mechanics
Differences between limbs
Timing faults contributing to tendon or joint overload

Management Options

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise rehabilitation forms the foundation of our management approach & is designed to address the specific strength, control & load-tolerance deficits identified during assessment. Programmes are fully individualised, targeting key areas such as foot & ankle strength, calf capacity, hip control, balance & coordination, depending on the demands of the individual & their activity or sport. Exercises are selected based on objective findings from clinical assessment, gait analysis & strength testing, ensuring rehabilitation is purposeful & directly linked to the factors contributing to pain or reduced performance.

Progression is carefully planned to restore tissue capacity & confidence in loading rather than simply reducing symptoms. As strength, control & tolerance improve, exercises are advanced to reflect the real demands of running, sport or daily activity, including higher-load, faster or more dynamic tasks where appropriate. This structured approach supports a safe return to activity, reduces the risk of recurrence & helps build long-term resilience, allowing individuals to move more efficiently & perform with greater confidence.

Phits Custom Foot Orthoses

Phits Custom Foot Orthoses are designed using advanced 3D digital technology to create truly individualised orthotic solutions based on how you move, not just how your feet look in standing. Prescription is informed by a comprehensive assessment which may include Sport & MSK evaluation, Run 3D Gait Analysis, Footscan analysis & strength testing. This data-led process allows precise control over design features such as arch support, rearfoot control, forefoot accommodation & material stiffness, ensuring orthoses work in harmony with your biomechanics, activity demands & footwear.

Phits orthoses are lightweight, durable & designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday & sports footwear, including running shoes. They are used as part of a wider management strategy alongside exercise rehabilitation, footwear modification & load management strategies rather than as a standalone solution. Review & refinement are built into the process to ensure comfort, effectiveness & long-term benefit, supporting pain reduction, improved movement efficiency & a confident return to activity or sport.

Running Shoe Advice & Recommendations

Our approach to running shoes advice & recommendations is not simply selecting the most comfortable shoe, but objectively comparing different shoes & how they influence mechanical load when running. Choosing footwear that aligns with your current tissue capacity, biomechanics & performance goals, providing a structured, evidence-based pathway minimising injury risk & supporting long-term performance progression.

We combine OnTracx load data with a structured footwear review, including:

Midsole foam type (EVA, TPU, PEBA) & how it may influence shock absorption & perceived energy return
Stack height & cushioning level & how this may change your loading strategy
Heel-to-toe drop & its influence on calf/Achilles, knee & forefoot loading tendencies
Rocker geometry & its effect on roll-through & propulsion
Stability bias (medial/lateral) based on your mechanics & control requirements
Midsole stiffness (including carbon-plated designs) & how it may affect load & propulsion strategy
Orthoses compatibility (if relevant)
Wear patterns & midsole compression as clues to long-term loading & mechanical inefficiencies

Benefits of Sport & msk Podiatry

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Many adults develop pain due to work demands or lifestyle factors (long standing, walking, childcare, manual work, etc.). This service helps by:

Identifying load-related irritations such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles pain or ankle stiffness
Improving tolerance to standing and walking
Reducing compensatory pain in the knees or hips
Addressing poor sport or general shoe choices or movement habits
Creating clear strengthening & mobility programmes

Outcome: better comfort throughout the day, improved mobility & long-term tissue resilience.

Older Adults Wanting to Stay Active

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Age-related changes can affect foot mobility, tendon stiffness & balance. This assessment helps by:

Improving walking comfort
Reducing forefoot or heel pressure
Identifying arthritis-related movement challenges
Supporting balance & ankle stability
Advising on supportive, age-appropriate shoes

Outcome: improved confidence, mobility & independence.

Runners

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned marathoner, this assessment helps you:

Understand the root cause of foot, ankle or lower leg injury
Improve calf & hip strength to reduce running stress
Identify imbalances that limit efficiency
Provide advice around running shoes
Build resilience to handle increased mileage or race training

Outcome: fewer setbacks, improved comfort & more consistent running.

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Sport-specific demands create unique loading patterns. This service helps athletes:

Improve ankle stability & reduce ankle sprain risk
Identify mechanisms contributing to foot, ankle & lower leg issues
Improve boot selection for comfort & performance
Build robust lower-limb strength for high-intensity play

Outcome: stronger, more stable movement with reduced injury risk across the season.

FAQs

Do I need to be an athlete?
No. We help anyone who wants to recover from injury, move without pain & perform better in daily life or sport.

Do you assess suitability for running shoes? Yes, 3D gait analysis explores shoe categories including cushioned vs stability, carbon-plated racing models, minimalist footwear, providing objective data needed to make the right choices.

How long until I recover from pain or improve performance? Pain often improves within weeks when load drivers are addressed. Performance changes depend on your starting point & adherence. We will outline milestones & re-test dates.

Can I bring previous scans or reports?
Absolutely. They help us integrate your history & focus testing where it matters.

What is your cancellation policy? We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for cancellation or rescheduling. Missed appointments or cancellations received with less than 24 hours' notice will incur the full consultation fee.

What should I bring? For any assessment, please bring your primary sports footwear, any relevant custom orthoses & shorts/clothing that allow clear viewing of your lower limb.

Sport & MSK Podiatry

Sport & MSK Podiatry can hep with

Detailed History

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Footscan® Analysis

Biomechanical & Strength Testing

Footscan® Analysis

Management Options

Exercise Rehabilitation

Phits Custom Foot Orthoses

Running Shoe Advice & Recommendations

Benefits of Sport & msk Podiatry

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Older Adults Wanting to Stay Active

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Adults Who Are Active or Stand All Day

Runners

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Football, Field & Court Athletes

Football, Field & Court Athletes

FAQs

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