- Home
- Conditions & Treatments
- Ankle & Foot Pain
Ankle & Foot Pain
Ankle & Foot Pain
Ankle and foot pain are common issues that can arise from various causes, including injuries, overuse, or underlying medical conditions. They affect mobility and quality of life.
The ankle and foot are critical for mobility, balance, and bearing the body’s weight, making them susceptible to pain and injury. Ankle and foot pain can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities, participate in sports, or even walk comfortably. Conditions such as sprains, fractures, and plantar fasciitis are frequent causes of pain in these regions.


Symptoms
Ankle and foot pain may present with a variety of symptoms depending on the underlying condition:
Pain
Sharp, dull, or throbbing, often worsened by activity or weight-bearing.
Swelling
Localised swelling around the ankle or foot, indicating inflammation.
Bruising
Discoloration due to injury or trauma.
Instability
Feeling weakness or instability in the ankle or foot, especially during movement.
Limited Range of Motion
Difficulty moving the ankle or foot fully due to stiffness or pain.
Numbness or Tingling
Sensations of pins and needles, or reduced sensation, possibly due to nerve compression or injury.
Causes
Ankle and foot pain can result from a variety of conditions and injuries.
- Ankle Sprains: Injury to the ligaments surrounding the ankle, often caused by twisting or rolling the ankle.
- Fractures: Breaks in the ankle or foot bones, typically due to trauma or overuse.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes, causing heel pain.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, commonly affecting the Achilles tendon.
- Arthritis: Joint inflammation, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, leading to chronic pain and stiffness.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints.
- Flatfoot (Pes Planus): A condition where the arch of the foot collapses, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Gout: A form of arthritis where uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, causing sudden, severe pain.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the risk of ankle and foot pain.
- High-Impact Activities: Participation in sports or activities that involve running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction.
- Improper Footwear: Wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support or cushioning.
- Age: Older adults are more prone to arthritis and other degenerative conditions that affect the foot and ankle.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on the feet and ankles, increasing the risk of injury and pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ankle and foot pain involves a combination of physical assessments and imaging tests.
- Clinical Examination: Assessing the foot and ankle for tenderness, swelling, deformities, and range of motion.
- X-rays: To detect fractures or misalignments.
- MRI: For detailed imaging of soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
- CT Scan: Provides cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues.
- Ultrasound: Useful for assessing soft tissue injuries, such as tendons or ligaments.
- Blood Tests: To check for underlying conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments Provided By Us
Surgical
Surgical intervention may be necessary when non-surgical options fail or when there are severe injuries or chronic conditions, including:
- Ankle Fracture Repair: Surgical fixation with plates, screws, or rods are used to stabilise fractured bones.
- Ligament Repair or Reconstruction: For severe ankle sprains or chronic instability, the damaged ligaments may need to be surgically repaired.
- Tendon Repair: Torn tendons, such as the Achilles tendon, may require surgery for proper healing.
- Joint Fusion (Arthrodesis): For advanced arthritis, the surgeon may fuse the joint’s bones to eliminate pain caused by movement.
- Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): In cases of severe joint damage, replacing the joint with a prosthetic implant may restore function and relieve pain.
- Plantar Fasciitis Release: Surgical release of the tight plantar fascia tissue in chronic, unresponsive cases.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Non-Surgical
For many cases of ankle and foot pain, non-surgical treatment is effective. These treatments include:
- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE): helps reduce swelling and pain in acute injuries.
- Bracing or Orthotics: Supportive devices such as braces, splints, or casts immobilise the foot or ankle and allow healing. Ankle braces or custom orthotics can help with stability and proper alignment. Meanwhile, custom-made shoe inserts also help to support the foot and relieve pressure on painful areas.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and foot, improve flexibility, restore mobility and reduce pain. Therapies such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation may also be used.
- Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Corticosteroid Injections: For severe inflammation or chronic conditions, injections can help to reduce inflammation and pain in conditions like plantar fasciitis or tendonitis.
- Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP injections use concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the affected tendons.
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
- Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
- Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
- Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
- Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is essential to recovery after both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
- Strengthening Exercises: To improve muscle strength around the ankle and foot.
- Flexibility and Balance Training: To restore full range of motion and prevent future injuries.
- Gait Training: To help you walk properly and regain normal movement.
- Gradual Return to Activity: Rehabilitation helps you transition back to daily activities and sports.
Complications
While most cases of ankle and foot pain resolve with proper treatment, complications can still occur:
- Chronic Pain: Persistent pain, especially in cases of arthritis or untreated injuries, can affect quality of life and the ability to perform daily activities.
- Reduced Mobility: Difficulty walking or moving the foot and ankle can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.
- Instability: Repeated ankle injuries can lead to chronic instability, increasing the risk of further injury.
- Infection: A risk after surgical procedures, particularly in open fractures or wounds.
- Nerve Damage: Though rare, untreated injuries or conditions can result in nerve damage, leading to chronic pain or numbness.
- Delayed Healing: Bones or soft tissues may take longer to heal, especially in individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes or osteoporosis.
Prevention Methods
To prevent ankle and foot pain:
- Proper Footwear: Wear shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning, especially during physical activities.
- Strengthening Exercises: Regularly perform exercises to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and foot.
- Warm-Up and Stretching: Always warm up and stretch before engaging in physical activities to prevent injuries.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Keeping a healthy weight reduces stress on the feet and ankles.
- Avoid High-Impact Activities: Be cautious when participating in activities that put much strain on the feet and ankles.
When To See A Doctor
Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Persistent Pain: Pain in your ankle or foot that persists for more than a few days without improvement.
- Inability to Bear Weight: Inability to put weight on the affected foot or ankle.
- Severe Swelling or Bruising: Severe swelling or bruising, or visible deformity.
- Numbness or Tingling: Persistent numbness or tingling in your foot or toes.
- Signs of Infection: Redness, warmth, or fever, which may indicate an infection.
Doctors In-Charge
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon