Sports Podiatrist Perth, WA
Get back to training faster with a clear diagnosis and plan
We fix the cause of pain, not just your symptoms. Serving Melville, Fremantle, Cockburn and beyond, Functional Foot & Ankle offers effective treatment plans for athletes and active people. We can get you moving comfortably again.
We understand you need to get back to your former level of function as soon as you can. We help you get there. No referral needed - simply contact our team to get started today.
When should you see a sports podiatrist?
If the following sounds familiar:
- Heel pain when getting out of bed
- Recurring lower limb injuries you suspect are coming from your feet
- Pain after sport or gym sessions
- You can't train like you used to
- You've tried physio, but aren't seeing improvement
- You're experiencing foot or ankle pain you thought would get better on it's own, but it hasn't
Then you may not be getting the right help for recovery. We've seen and dealt with all sorts of conditions - we can help resolve ankle, foot and lower leg pain. Contact us today to arrange your consultation.
Who is sports podiatry for?
Anyone active! That can include:
- Runners
- Gym-goers
- Power-lifters
- CrossFit enthusiasts
- Martial artists
- Field sports athletes
- HYROX competitors
- Board sports
- Cyclists
- Everyday active people
Does sports podiatry only help professional athletes?
The emphasis on 'sports' doesn't mean you need to be an official athlete. It just means we look at podiatry with a different lens that isn't your 'stereotypical' podiatry lens - focusing on movement, rehabilitation and load management (among other things).
Whether you're an elite athlete recovering from sports injuries or an active person with chronic pain, we can help relieve foot and lower limb pain so you can move freely again. Contact our experienced team today to get started with a personalised treatment plan.
What to expect from your first appointment
How long will it take?
Your initial consultation will generally take 30 minutes. If your follow-up appointments need more time, we will advise you so you can prepare accordingly.
What should you bring?
When preparing for your consultation, try to bring:
- The footwear you're using for work, sports etc.
- A pain diary - it's helpful to have a track record of when the problem arises, what seems to make it better or worse. This can even be notes on your phone; it's just to help you track your wellbeing, so we have a fuller picture of the problem.
- If you have any other relevant information or letters from other healthcare providers, bring t hese as well.
What will I leave with?
By the end of your consultation, you'll have a treatment plan and hopefully a diagnosis. We may also give you a referral for imaging if needed.
We'll also give you homework - some exercises to do (you can usually download these on your phone), and possibly a bright green band and maybe even a trigger ball.
Sports Podiatrist vs General Podiatry
A general podiatrist is most commonly working with routine foot health - nail and skin care patients, which we appreciate, but don't do. It can also be hard to get in to a general podiatry clinic as they're often booked out months in advance.
A sports podiatrist is different. While still working in podiatric medicine, a sport podiatrist tends to focus more on biomechanics and gait assessment, rehabilitation and load management - for sports-specific athletes and everyday athletes alike. Generally our appointments will fill up as injuries occur - much like how a physio would operate.
We help you achieve pain-free movement
Our advanced biomechanical assessments find the root cause of lower limb complaints, supporting long-term results.
Running injuries
Assessment and treatment of running-related injuries using gait analysis, load management, and tailored rehab to keep you performing at your best. Whether you have runner's knee or instep pain, we accurately diagnose the issue and help you get back on track.
Heel pain / plantar fasciitis
Targeted treatment to reduce heel pain and plantar fasciitis, focusing on tissue loading and rehabilitation, footwear, and long-term prevention.
Achilles pain
Evidence-based management of Achilles tendinopathy to improve strength, reduce pain, and safely return you to running, sport - or simply help you get back to day-to-day life, without pain.
Shin splints
Comprehensive treatment addressing your training load, biomechanics, and strength deficits to improve and prevent recurrence.
Knee pain linked to foot mechanics
Assessment of foot and lower limb mechanics can often relieve knee pain and improve movement efficiency.
Ankle sprains / instability
Rehabilitation of ankle sprains and chronic instability with a focus on strength, proprioception, and injury prevention.
Why choose Functional Foot & Ankle?
1. We find the real cause
We don't believe in the old-school podiatry model, where every patient is viewed the same and things get expensive fast. We don't sell you expensive orthotics or treatment plans that target symptoms alone. Through comprehensive assessment and a holistic, patient-first approach, we find the actual cause of your pain or injury and make an effective treatment plan.
Our primary aim is to get you back to performing at your best with as little assistance and consultation as possible - so your time and money remains your own.
2. We give you a clear plan from day one
Rest assured: our patients know exactly what's going on and what's next. No generic treatments here - plans are created to suit your specific goals and needs. We aim to put your health back in your hands and get you better as quick as possible, while you continue the 'maintenance' so you don't need to return.
We start with the 'less is more' approach. We provide education, clinical reasoning, and provide a transparent plan. We also keep you in the loop with realistic time frames and the estimated number of sessions needed to get you back to doing what you love.
If anything further is needed, such as shockwave therapy or orthotics, this is due to a process of elimination. All treatments will be well-explained to you prior - no surprises or unclear jargon.
3. We take a movement-first approach
When treating foot and lower limb conditions, we pay attention to how your body moves and what that tells us about the issue. We start by taking a detailed history, then analyse:
- Any imbalances through muscle testing
- Biomechanics and gait analysis to examine movement patterns
- Any injury or sore region
We can then combine our analysis to best diagnose your situation, creating a comprehensive care plan based on your specific situation.
4. We use the right tools, as necessary
We have an assortment of foot and ankle specific tools to assist, including:
- Laser and shockwave therapy
- Moon boots
- Carbon fibre plates
- Footwear advice and sales
- Ankle braces
- Orthotics
- Wedges
- Rehab equipment
- Metatarsal domes
Our focus is always on what you need as the patient. We don't bring tools into your treatment plan unless they will actually help in alleviating pain and assisting recovery.
Our approach
Our principal podiatrist, Benjamin Hodgetts, has been a sports-focused podiatrist for over 11 years. he has a rich history in sports (and injuries) himself. He also runs a functional training gym, and is a qualified strength and conditioning and group fitness coach as well.
We believe in a multidisciplinary approach and work alongside a broad array of trusted health professionals to assist when needed, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, massage therapists, doctors or sports doctors and surgeons.
As sports podiatrists, what sets us apart from the above professionals is our focus on the foot, ankle and how they affect the lower limb and biomechanics of the body. We might be biased, but we think we do it pretty well!
FAQs about Sports Podiatry Services
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral for sports podiatry with Functional Foot & Ankle. You can get in touch with us anytime to request an appointment.
Can I keep exercising?
That depends on your circumstances. Some injuries do need rest: if you fracture a bone, you likely won't be able to keep moving as normal for a short time. However, our goal is to keep the majority of people moving within a reasonable pain threshold, whilst getting you better at the same time.
We'll let you know what you can expect during recovery, and advise how to avoid 'overdoing' it before you're ready.
Do I need orthotics?
Most people were given orthotics as a child for 'flat feet' or other, largely unknown reasons. This is not our first port of call when we diagnose issues. Often, you don't need orthotics to fix the issue - however, if you do, you will have a detailed reason as to why you need them and how they are suited to assist your long-term wellbeing. Typically we will have trialled other treatments first.
How many sessions will I need?
We try to see you as little as possible while we guide you to becoming pain free - rather than stacking up billable hours, we believe in putting your health in your hands. On average, we would see patients 3-5 times, giving you the homework so you can improve between visits and beyond initial treatment.
Is this covered by private health insurance?
If you have podiatry cover in your health fund, you will be covered for your consult and sometimes extras like orthotics. However, you will need to check this.