Sports Podiatry and Biomechanical Assessments

What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?

A biomechanical assessment is a thorough clinical evaluation of how your body moves, examining posture, structure and movement across the lower limb including the lower back, hips, knees, ankles and feet.

It goes beyond treating symptoms. By understanding how you stand, walk and run, our podiatrists can identify the underlying mechanical cause of your pain and build a targeted treatment plan.

A biomechanical assessment is appropriate if you are experiencing:

• Foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower back pain
• Pain during or after sport or exercise
• Recurring injuries that aren’t fully resolving
• Concerns about the way you walk or run
• Unusual shoe wear patterns
• A new or worsening sporting injury

Conditions We Assess and Treat

Our sports podiatry patients present with a wide range of conditions, including:

What Your Assessment Involves

Your appointment begins with a thorough case history covering your symptoms, activity levels, footwear and any previous treatment. From there, your podiatrist will:

• Assess joint range of motion throughout the lower limb
• Test muscle strength and flexibility
• Analyse your gait using our Zebris pressure mat system — how you walk and, where relevant, how you run
• Examine your footwear and wear patterns
• Identify structural or movement factors contributing to your pain

Treatment Options

Following your assessment, your podiatrist will recommend the most appropriate combination of therapies for your condition. These may include:

• Custom orthotics — prescribed and fitted at our Balgowlah clinic, from prefabricated through to fully custom devices
• Dry needling and myofascial release
• Shockwave therapy — EMS Swiss DolorClast for chronic tendon and soft tissue conditions
• Remedial massage
• Gait retraining and running technique analysis
• Rehabilitation and home exercise programs

We take a holistic, evidence-based approach, addressing both the immediate symptoms and the underlying cause so your results last.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a sports podiatry consultation and a biomechanical assessment?
In practice they are closely related and often combined in a single appointment. A biomechanical assessment focuses on evaluating how your body moves and identifying structural or mechanical contributors to pain. Sports podiatry uses that assessment to guide treatment specifically for sports and activity-related injuries. At Sydney Podiatry Co, we approach both together.

Do I need a referral to see a sports podiatrist?
No referral is required. You can book directly online or by phone. If your GP or specialist has referred you, we welcome that communication and will provide a clinical report back to them following your consultation.

How many appointments will I need?
This depends entirely on your condition. Many acute injuries resolve with one to three appointments and a home exercise program. Chronic or complex biomechanical conditions may require ongoing management. Your podiatrist will outline an expected treatment timeline at your initial assessment.

Can a biomechanical assessment help with knee or back pain?
Yes. Foot and lower limb biomechanics have a direct influence on how forces travel up through the knees, hips and lower back. Abnormal foot mechanics are a common contributing factor to knee pain, hip pain and lower back pain — a biomechanical assessment identifies whether your feet are contributing and what can be done about it.

Is sports podiatry covered by private health insurance?
Yes. Sports podiatry and biomechanical consultations are claimable through most private health funds with podiatry extras cover. We offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming at our Balgowlah clinic — no paperwork required.

Can children have a biomechanical assessment?
Yes. We regularly assess children and teenagers for gait concerns, growing pains and sport-related lower limb injuries. Learn more about our children’s podiatry service.

Health Fund Rebates

Sports podiatry and biomechanical consultations are claimable through most private health funds with podiatry cover. We offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming at our Balgowlah clinic — claim your rebate on the spot at the time of your appointment, no paperwork required.