Foot injuries can affect all walks of life

PODIATRY IS ONE of the disciplines that is called upon to treat sports injuries – and the stakes can be high. Runners in particular can suffer career-threatening foot injuries and in some cases the problem can be traced back to the beginning of their lives.

Indeed, the client list of one clinic – the Gait and Posture Centre in Harley Street – boasts a winning team of its own, including a former world record-holder.

The Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health describes sports podiatry as ‘a discipline that assesses and treats foot, ankle and lower limb disorders. A biomechanical assessment will address whether there is a mechanical cause for the pain. Treatment may involve prescription of exercises; change in training program; advice and modification of footwear and/or corrective foot orthoses. A sports podiatrist could be of benefit if you have repetitive injuries; and seeking another approach to enhance your performance’.

The compensation levels for foot injury reflect the effect they have on mobility and everyday life, even for ordinary mortals.

According to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers: “Injuries caused to, or by, either participants or spectators in the course of sporting and recreational activities can, if they are caused by negligence, give rise to a claim for damages. From football and rugby to boxing and extreme sports such as kite-surfing, for example, negligent actions may lead to injury.” q