Sports Injuries and Running Assessment
Whether you run marathons, play weekend sport or simply want to get back to your daily walk, a foot, ankle or lower leg injury can stop you in your tracks. At Sports and Structural Podiatry in Maroochydore, we work out what is causing your pain and build a plan with you to get back to the activity you enjoy.
What we treat
Sports injuries we commonly see
We assess and treat injuries of the foot, ankle and lower leg, as well as pain further up the leg that is linked to how you walk or run. These are the injuries we see most often in the clinic.
Plantar fasciopathy and heel pain
Pain under the heel that is usually worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. It is common in runners and in people who spend long hours on their feet.
Achilles tendon pain
Pain or stiffness at the back of the heel or lower calf. It is often sore at the start of a run, eases as you warm up, then returns afterwards or the next morning.
Shin pain
Pain along the inside edge of the shin bone, often called shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome. It commonly follows an increase in running or a change of surface.
Ankle sprains and instability
A rolled ankle that is slow to settle, or an ankle that keeps giving way. Rebuilding strength and balance is a key part of reducing the chance of another sprain.
Forefoot pain and metatarsalgia
Pain under the ball of the foot. Footwear, foot shape and how much load the forefoot takes during sport can all play a part.
Bone stress injuries
Pain in one spot on a bone that gets worse with impact. These develop when bone is loaded faster than it can adapt, and they need to be assessed early.
Knee, hip and lower back pain
The way your feet and lower legs move affects the load further up the body. If your knee, hip or back pain is linked to how you walk or run, a lower limb assessment can help find out why.
Running injuries
Why running injuries happen
Most running injuries are not caused by a single bad step. They usually build up when the load on a tissue rises faster than it can adapt. Common triggers include:
- Increasing your weekly distance or the number of runs too quickly
- Adding speed sessions, hills or a race build-up
- Changing running surface, for example from grass to road or from road to trail
- Switching to a different style of shoe, or running in worn-out shoes
- Returning to running after a break at the same level you stopped at
Understanding which of these applies to you matters as much as treating the sore spot. It is what helps you get back to running and keep running.
Your first visit
What happens at your sports and running assessment
Every treatment plan starts with listening. Your first appointment usually covers four things.
01
Your history
When the pain started, what makes it better or worse, your training load, previous injuries and any events you are working towards.
02
Movement and biomechanics
We look at how your feet and legs move, your joint range and strength, and how you load your feet when you walk and, where it is relevant, when you run.
03
Footwear and training
Bring the shoes you train in. We look at how they suit your feet and your sport, and at any recent changes in how much or how often you train.
04
A clear plan
We explain what we found in plain language and agree a treatment plan with you, including what you can keep doing while you recover.
Treatment
Treatment options
Your plan is built around your injury and your goals. Depending on what your assessment shows, it may include:
Strength and stretching programs
Exercises targeted at the tissue that is struggling with load, progressed over the following weeks as it adapts.
Training load advice
Practical changes to how far and how often you train, so you can keep active while the injury settles where that is safe.
Footwear advice
Guidance on shoes that suit your feet, your sport and the surfaces you train on.
Foot mobilisation therapy (FMT)
A hands-on therapy where gentle, precise pressure is used to move the joints of the foot and reduce joint restriction.
Custom orthotics
Made from a 3D scan of your feet and an individual prescription, where your assessment shows they are appropriate for you.
MLS laser therapy
A non-invasive treatment using light energy, used alongside other care where it is suitable for you. Results vary from person to person.
Taping and padding
Used in the short term to reduce load on irritated tissue while other parts of your plan take effect.
Return to sport plan
A gradual, staged return to training and competition, with clear steps so you know when it is safe to do more.
Our aim is not just to settle the pain, but to find the cause so it is less likely to come back. Every person is different, and your podiatrist will talk you through the options, expected benefits and any risks before you decide.
Who you will see
Experienced in sports podiatry
Alana Underwood is the principal podiatrist at Sports and Structural Podiatry. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) and a Master of Sports Medicine (Honours), and has a special interest in sports podiatry and biomechanics.
When to book
Do not wait for pain to become severe. Book in if you have pain that lingers after activity, keeps coming back, or is changing the way you walk or run.
If you have pain in one spot on a bone that is getting worse with activity, or pain at night or at rest, stop the activity that brings it on and book an assessment promptly.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us. If your GP has referred you, please bring the referral to your appointment.
What should I bring?
The shoes you train in, any orthotics you already use, and any scans or reports related to your injury. If you keep a training log or use a running app, it is helpful to bring that too.
What should I wear?
Shorts, or loose pants that roll up above the knee, so we can see how your feet, ankles and knees move.
Can I keep training while I recover?
That depends on the injury. Many people can keep doing some form of exercise while they recover. We will talk through what you can safely keep doing and what to change, so you are not left guessing.
Will I need a scan?
Not always. Many sports injuries can be assessed from your history and a physical examination. If imaging is needed, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, we will explain why and arrange a referral.
Will I need orthotics?
Not necessarily. Many injuries are managed with exercise, training changes and footwear advice. Custom orthotics are only recommended when your assessment shows they are appropriate for you.
Can I claim on my health fund?
If your private health insurance includes extras cover for podiatry, you may be able to claim part of the cost. Check with your fund for your level of cover.
Book a sports injury assessment
Shop 202, Building 2, Ground Floor, 2 Emporio Place, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Book an AppointmentCall (07) 5479 1211