Diagnostic Injury Assessment
A thorough clinical assessment is the foundation of effective treatment. We don't guess — we diagnose.
Every treatment recommendation we make is guided by what we find during your assessment. Diagnostic MSK ultrasound on-site. No referrals. No waiting.
The right treatment starts with the right diagnosis
Too often, patients receive treatment based on assumptions rather than evidence. Heel pain isn't always plantar fasciitis. Achilles pain isn't always tendinopathy. Knee pain doesn't always originate in the knee.
Accurate diagnosis dictates which treatment options are most suitable. Orthotics won't help a condition that requires injection therapy. Shockwave therapy won't resolve a problem caused by a biomechanical fault. Exercise alone won't fix a structural issue.
Based on your assessment findings, we'll recommend the most appropriate treatment pathway. These are some of the options that may be recommended — but only if your assessment supports it.
Recent injuries (≤6 weeks)
- Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
- Muscle strains and tears
- Stress fractures and bone injuries
- Tendon ruptures and partial tears
- Sports impact injuries
Chronic conditions (6+ weeks)
- Plantar fasciitis / heel pain
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Morton's neuroma
- Persistent knee or shin pain
- Pain that hasn't resolved with standard care
Five components. One complete picture.
Our assessment follows a structured five-pillar approach — every element feeds into the clinical reasoning that produces your treatment pathway.
Detailed History
Your injury history, activity levels, footwear, occupation, previous treatments and goals all shape our clinical reasoning and guide every decision that follows.
Gait Analysis
Video and pressure-plate gait analysis allows us to observe how you walk and run in real time. This reveals compensatory movement patterns, asymmetries and loading issues that are often invisible to the naked eye.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Real-time musculoskeletal ultrasound lets us visualise soft tissue structures — tendons, ligaments, fascia, bursae and joints — so we can confirm or rule out conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, Morton's neuroma and more.
Hands-On Evaluation
Palpation, joint range-of-motion testing, muscle strength testing and specific orthopaedic provocation tests help us pinpoint the exact structure causing your symptoms.
Functional Testing
We assess how your body moves under load — single-leg balance, calf raises, squats and sport-specific movements — to identify strength deficits and movement faults that contribute to your pain.
Your Treatment Pathway
You leave with a defined roadmap — not just "rest and see how it goes".
- Custom 3D-printed orthotics
- Injection therapy (if indicated)
- Physiotherapy referral via Body Med
- Exercise rehabilitation plan
- Footwear advice
Physiotherapy referral — in the same building
Lower Limb Dublin focuses on podiatry, sports medicine, MSK assessment and orthotics. If physiotherapy is the right next step for your condition, you'll be referred to the Body Med physiotherapy team — who practise in the same building at 188 Clontarf Road. No need to leave the premises.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly online without any referral. If you have existing reports, scans or letters from your GP or consultant, bring them — they're useful context but not required.
What's the difference between this and the orthotic assessment?
The Diagnostic Injury Assessment (€160 · 45 mins) is for people with an injury, pain, or condition they want diagnosed. It includes MSK ultrasound and a full treatment pathway. The Orthotic Assessment (€80 · 30 mins) is for people who have no injury but want to know if custom orthotics would help their foot mechanics.
Will I get treatment on the day?
The assessment appointment is focused on diagnosis and planning. Some immediate treatment (e.g. taping, footwear advice) may be provided where appropriate. The primary output is a clear treatment pathway — not open-ended physiotherapy.
What should I bring or wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Bring your current footwear — especially running shoes or work shoes if relevant. If you've had previous imaging (MRI, X-ray), bring those reports.
How is this different from seeing a GP?
GPs typically don't have access to MSK ultrasound, pressure-plate gait analysis, or specialist sports medicine training. We provide specialist lower limb and sports medicine assessment with imaging available on-site — and we're podiatrists, trained specifically in lower limb pathology.
Is this covered by health insurance?
We're self-pay currently. Some health insurance policies (VHI, Laya, Irish Life Health) may cover specialist outpatient appointments — check your policy or contact your insurer.
Get a diagnosis, not just advice
45 minutes · €160 · Clontarf, Dublin 3 · No referral needed
Book Diagnostic Assessment