Ankle/Foot Pain
Ankles and feet are some of the body’s most intricate and labour-intensive areas consisting of 26 bones and 33 joints all held together by a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, making pain and injury common place. Walking alone puts 1.5 times the body weigh through the ankle, whilst running and jumping is up to 8 times the weight of the body through these joints.
Most cases of foot or ankle discomfort are temporary and are brought on by soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains. Self-care techniques may help some of these issues and, although it may take a few months to recover, the outcome is usually good.Â
However, pain which does not improve or seems to be getting worse needs to be assessed to understand the cause. Long-term discomfort in the feet or ankles may have several causes, such as:
- Poor footwear
- Mechanical changes to the feet
- Sprains / strains
- Gout
- Planter fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Osteoarthtis
How We Treat
A detailed case history and lifestyle review will take place to better understanding the cause of the foot or ankle pain. A physical examination of the foot and ankle will be performed and the influence of the spine, pelvis hips and knees will be assessed too. Once the issue has been identified, this will be explained, along with treatment options available. This may include, osteopathy, acupuncture, or rehabilitation exercises as part of your treatment plan.
Where treatment is not possible, other options will be discussed and referral to a podiatrist may be made with your consent
