Sports Injuries

A biomechanical assessment and gait analysis is a comprehensive examination of your body and the way you move with the aim of diagnosing a wide range of conditions.  It may  identify any underlying causes, such as abnormal loading or muscle imbalances, that have contributed to discomfort, pain or injury. 

Rachel examines how your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine link together as a complex interconnected system, known as the kinetic chain.

Identifying imbalances within this chain can help Rachel determine the underlying mechanical cause of some painful conditions. The assessment is suitable for both adults and children (podopaediatrics).  

An early diagnosis of an injury and treatment plan can help with your rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of recurring injuries.  For more information about biomechanical assessments and gait analysis see the Biomechanics page.

Causes of sports injuries

Risk factors that may contribute to injury include:

• previous injury
• muscle imbalance or weakness
• biomechanical or alignment issues
• technical errors and training errors; not warming up; pushing yourself too hard
• changes to training patterns, their volume and intensity
• changing to a different shoe or using the wrong footwear
• changing the surface that you are training or competing on and training on hard surfaces
• age; adolescents and older people can be particularly susceptible
• certain medical conditions

Children are more prone to certain types of sports injuries, especially during the period of rapid pubescent growth when they are often involved in intense physical activities. These injuries can result from various factors and a thorough diagnosis from an experienced podiatrist may help in reducing the likelihood their recurrence.  For more information about children's sports injuries see the Children page.

Treatment of sports injuries

Depending on the assessment, the nature and severity of your condition, your overall health and medical history, treatment may include:

Early injury management:

PEACE & LOVE: A Protocol for Injury Management.

For the first approximately 24–72 hours, follow PEACE:

P – Protect E – Elevate A – Avoid anti-inflammatories C – Compress E – Educate

After the first few days, your injury needs LOVE:

L – Load O – Optimism V – Vascularisation E – Exercise

Speak to an experienced podiatrist or medical professional for a more detailed explanation of PEACE and LOVE.  

Rehabilitation and prevention:

• strengthening and stretching exercises
• gradual return to activity advice
• injury preventive strategies

Clinical treatment options:

• sports taping
• footwear assessment and advice
• medication guidance (where appropriate)
• prescription of custom orthotic insoles

Custom orthotic insoles

A custom orthotic insole can be prescribed as a beneficial, non-invasive part of treatment. An orthotic can provide support, help cushion and align foot structure to correct imbalances that aggravate the normal stresses and strains that vigorous activity can entail. It may help a sportsperson improve their performance by making exercise more mechanically and energy-efficient. See the Orthotic insoles page for more information about bespoke orthotic insoles.

Further investigations

In some cases, you may be referred for diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans or a referral to another specialist for further investigations may be recommended.

Fees and insurance

Rachel is registered with most healthcare insurance providers. For detailed information about fees and health insurance for podiatry/chiropody appointments, biomechanical assessments, orthotics and nail surgery, see the Fees page.

Appointments and clinic details

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist specialising in biomechanics and orthotic insoles who treats many patients for sports injuries. Her clinic Highgate Podiatry, is in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square London N6 6BA. Clinics are held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For clinic directions and map and see the Contact page and for information about chiropody see the Podiatry page.

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