Musculoskeletal podiatry in focus | Professional Development Series

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11 - 12 SEP

Musculoskeletal podiatry in focus | Professional Development Series

Podiatry professional development event

Musculoskeletal in focus

Professional Development Series (PDS)

A two-day, in-person professional development event focused on physical exercise and movement-based care in musculoskeletal podiatry, designed to translate evidence into everyday clinical practice.

11–12 September 2026 | Ikon Park, Melbourne

Secure your Early Bird place →

Early Bird closes 14 August - dont miss out on saving up to $400!
✔ 14 CPD hours ✔ Practical business strategies ✔ Networking and trade exhibition
Registration Program Speakers Workshops Destination Partner with us

Focus on the fundamentals that matter

Revisit and strengthen the core principles underpinning MSK care, from clinical reasoning and imaging interpretation through to prescribing, footwear and rehabilitation strategies

From evidence to application

Move beyond theory with sessions designed to bridge the gap between evidence and implementation - helping you approach both common presentations and more complex cases with greater clarity and structure.

Be part of the MSK podiatry community

Spend two days learning alongside podiatrists with a shared interest in MSK care, and engage with industry partners and exhibitors in a setting designed to support both education and meaningful professional connection.

Featured Speakers

Michael Nitschke
Certified Sports Podiatrist

Prof Peter Malliaras
Specialist (Tendinopathy)
Physiotherapist

John Osborne
Certified Sports Podiatrist

Dr Dean Samaras
Podiatric Surgeon

Alex Murray
Sports Podiatrist &
Rehabilitation Coach

Polly Lim
Podiatrist

Justin Smith
Podiatrist

More speakers being announced soon!
Ready to learn from them? Early Bird closes 14 August . Register Now→

Social Activities & Networking

Networking Function
Friday 11th September
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Run Club
Saturday 12th September
6:30am - 7:30am

Breakfast Session
Saturday 12th September
8:00am – 8:45am

Program

Day 1
Friday 11 September

8.00am Registration & Exhibition Opens

9:00am - 5:10pm Full day program

Session 1

  • Keynote: Explaining Pain Without Losing the Room

  • Imaging the Foot and Ankle: When to Order, What to Write, What to Look For

  • Ten Things Not to Miss: When the Presentation Needs More Than You

Session 2

  • Keynote: Back to What They Love: Programming the Return to Running, Sport and Life

  • Exercise for the Older Person: Ten Things Not to Miss

  • The Painful Forefoot: Assessing It in Real Time

  • The Modern Foot Scan: Better Capture, Better Orthoses

Interactive Workshops
Attendees will rotate through the following practical workshops:

  • Workshop 1
    Running Assessment Masterclass: What to Change and Why

  • Workshop 2
    The Ankle That Won't Settle: Managing the Non-Acute Presentation

  • Workshop 3
    How to Actually Prescribe Exercise?

5.30pm - 7.30pm Networking Drinks & Canapés

Day 2
Saturday 12 September

6.30am - 7.30am Run Club
8.00am - 8.45am Breakfast Session: Everyday Footwear That Actually Works
9.00am - 5:30pm Full day program
​​​​​
Session 1

  • Midfoot Osteoarthritis: A Practical Approach to Orthosis Prescription

  • Heel Pain: A Practical Approach to Orthosis Prescription

  • Prescribing Foot Orthoses with Confidence: The Flat and Cavus Foot

Session 2

  • Rehabilitating Lower Limb Tendons: Principles and Progressions

  • Assessing a Tendon to Start and Progress Rehab: What Tests to Do and Why

Interactive Workshops
Attendees will rotate through the following practical workshops:

  • Workshop 1
    Heel Pain Hands On: Assessment and Treatment in Practice

  • Workshop 2
    Taping That Holds: Practical Techniques for the Lower Limb​

  • Workshop 3
    Under the Hood: Evaluating Orthosis Features and How They Work

Program themes

The program is built around the MSK presentations podiatrists see most often in practice, with an emphasis on strengthening core clinical reasoning, applying current evidence alongside practical experience, and supporting members to manage the cases that fill their clinics every week.

Each theme, will include both a theory session and a hands-on practical component, helping participants translate learning directly into patient care.

  • Return to activity and exercise prescription Practical approaches to loading tissue, building capacity and guiding patients back to walking, activity, running, sport and the things they value – including dosage, progression and how to write programs patients can realistically follow.
  • Foot orthoses, AFOs and braces Clinical reasoning for when devices are appropriate, how they support broader management, and how to move beyond recipe-based prescribing.
  • Footwear Guidance on matching footwear to the person, pathology and activity, including how to interpret the evidence and respond to common everyday footwear questions in clinical practice.
  • Pathologies A practical review of common MSK presentations, from tendinopathy to bone stress and beyond, with a focus on recognising patterns, identifying contributing factors and avoiding common clinical traps.
  • Assessment, including imaging interpretation Strategies for building purposeful assessments and interpreting imaging with enough confidence to distinguish relevant findings from incidental ones.
  • Communication Techniques for explaining diagnoses, setting expectations, managing uncertainty and supporting patients to understand and commit to their management plan.
  • Common clinical challenges An open, practical focus on the cases that can leave clinicians second-guessing, including presentations that do not fit neatly into textbook examples and strategies to support confident decision-making.
  • Treatments An overview of treatment options, from pharmacological approaches through to education and load management, with an emphasis on choosing, combining and sequencing care for the person in front of you.
Two full days, 14 CPD hours. Secure Early Bird pricing before 14 August. Register →

MSK member bonus access

If you are a MSK SIG member you will receive an exclusive additional complimentary 60 minute post event online webinar where you will:

  • Reconnect with presenters and fellow delegates
  • Ask questions and gain further clarity
  • Share wins and troubleshoot challenges
  • Support the ongoing implementation of what you’ve learned

A practical, supportive session designed to help you embed your learning and maximise the value of the program. Save the date: Wednesday 14 October 7:00pm AEDT

Maximise your value by joining the Musculoskeletal Podiatry Special Interest Group

The Musculoskeletal Podiatry (MSK) Special interest group (SIG) is designed for podiatrists looking to build confidence, strengthen clinical capability and connect with peers who share an interest in musculoskeletal practice.

As an MSK SIG member, you’ll receive:

  • Access to this event at the best available rate
  • Ongoing, clinically focused MSK education aligned to everyday practice
  • Opportunities to connect with a national community of podiatrists working in MSK care
  • Access to ongoing learning and engagement through APodA’s Sports/Biomechanics pathway
  • Invitations to exclusive MSK SIG sessions, including post-event learning such as follow-up Q&A webinars

If you’re looking to build confidence in assessment, clinical reasoning and management of MSK presentations — and continue that learning beyond the event — joining the MSK SIG is a valuable next step.

Join the MSK SIG here

Ikon Park, Melbourne

Experience the MSK Symposium at Ikon Park, Melbourne - the iconic home of the Carlton Football Club and a venue synonymous with performance, preparation and elite environments.

Set just minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and surrounded by parklands, Ikon Park offers a unique backdrop for two days of learning, connection and professional growth. With modern, purpose-built event spaces and a dynamic atmosphere shaped by high-performance sport, it’s a setting designed to energise your thinking and elevate your experience beyond the traditional conference environment.

Address:
Ikon Park (Princess Park)
400 Royal Parade, Carlton North


Registration options

Early Bird closes on the 14 August 2026. Members receive exclusive discounted rates.
Registration type Early Bird registration
(before 14 August 2026)		 Standard registration
(after 14 August 2026)

Musculoskeletal (MSK) SIG member BEST VALUE

 $725

$1,125

APodA member

 $775

$1,175

New Professional member

 $635

$685

Student member

 $375

$375

Non-member

 $1,125

$1,475

What’s included in your registration

Your registration is designed to give you both structured learning and space to connect:

  • Two full days of MSK-focused education
  • Access to the trade exhibition
  • Networking function with drinks and canapés
  • Run Club to start your day
  • Breakfast session with peers and facilitated discussion
  • 14 CPD hours
Lock in your Early Bird rate Prices rise after 14 August. Register →

Partner with us!

Connect with Australia’s podiatry community and showcase your brand through sponsorship or exhibition at this highly engaged, in-person event.

Build visibility, strengthen relationships, and generate meaningful leads while supporting the profession.

View Partnership & Exhibition Opportunities

For enquiries, contact Phil McShane
📧 phil.mcshane@podiatry.org.au | 📞 03 9416 3111

Exhibitors

Secure your place

11–12 September 2026 | Ikon Park, Melbourne

Early Bird closes 14 August 2026
Join podiatrists from across Australia to learn, connect, and build confidence in musculoskeletal practice.

Register