Rugby
Both union and league players have the brutal task of absorbing tackles whilst continuing to repeatedly run in short spurts throughout the game. This part of the game itself causes repeated trauma through the ankle and foot as it serves the foundation to balance and grip whilst driving forward in a scrum or moving through a would be tackler.
For juniors endeavouring to play rugby, the critical period to address the foot and ankle is before they start getting into the gym.
A big part of building up as a rugby player is knowing how to deadlift and squat properly in the gym. Correct barefoot and non barefoot form is vital to ensure that either junior or seniors building back up have the correct form and foundation from the feet up.
Common injuries seen in our Junior and Adolescent Rugby Players
- Osgoods Schlatters - Growing pain in the knee
- Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome - Growing pain in the knee
- Severs disease - Growing pain in the heel
- Shin Splints - Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
- Ankle Sprain and Fractures
Common injuries seen in our Senior AFL Players
- Forefoot Pain - Turf Toe and Greater toe pain
- Calf and Hamstring Tears
- Plantar Fascitiis and Heel Spurs
- Achilles Tendon pain (tendonopathy)
- Shin Splints - MTSS
- Ankle Sprains and Acute Fractures
- Ankle impingement Anterior and Posterior
Prevention and Treatment
If you are in pain now or simply want to look at ways to prevent injury there is never a better time than now to have your body, training loads and boots looked at.
All assessments are 30 minutes or 45 minutes for those patients who have had a chronic or resilient problem that until now has been “untreatable” so to speak.
Common Methodology behind Treatments
Our methodology at Melbourne Sports Podiatry is simplified below. Although all of our treatments are tailored based on the individual, the way in which we find out how to best work with your concern starts with the following process:
1) Assess specific movement patterns based on the sport
2) Assess structures between the lower back and feel
3) Identify where the problem is stemming from
4) Identify limitations or energy leaks
5) Treat on the day and Plan ahead.
Common Treatments we use on the first appointment include
- Sports specific strapping and padding
- Footwear assessment
- Soft or Deep Tissue release
- Lower limb Dry Needling
- Balance and Strength Programming
- Running Analysis and Re-training
- PNF stretching and Joint Mobilisation
- In shoe wedging and modifications
Other Treatments we use include
- Sports specific customised orthotics
- Kids only orthotics
- Joint adjustments
- Advanced Foot and Ankle rehabilitation
