foot & ankle pain

An ankle sprain is one of the most common foot and ankle injuries, occurring when the ligaments around the ankle are overstretched or torn after the ankle is twisted, rolled, or turned awkwardly. This injury is especially common in running, football, basketball, netball, and everyday activities such as stepping off a curb or missing a step.

Typical ankle sprain symptoms include pain on the outside of the ankle, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and difficulty walking or bearing weight. The severity of an ankle sprain can range from a mild ligament stretch to a partial or complete ligament tear, and if not treated correctly, it can lead to recurrent ankle sprains, chronic ankle instability, and long-term weakness.

Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of heel pain and Achilles tendon pain. It occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, becomes overloaded, irritated, or weakened. This condition is especially common in people who rapidly increase training volume or intensity.

Typical Achilles tendinopathy symptoms include pain and stiffness in the back of the heel, morning pain with the first few steps, swelling or thickening of the tendon, and discomfort when running, jumping, or climbing stairs. Pain may ease as you warm up, then return after activity.

If not managed properly, this limit sport and daily activity, and in severe cases may increase the risk of Achilles tendon rupture.

Plantar fasciitis or plantar heel pain is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves irritation of the plantar fascia, the strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. When this tissue is overloaded or strained, it can become painful and sensitive.

Typical plantar fasciitis symptoms include sharp or stabbing pain in the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after long periods of sitting or inactivity. Pain often settles as you move, then returns after prolonged standing, walking, running, or being on your feet all day.

Plantar fasciitis can be linked to training errors, sudden increases in activity, reduced calf strength, or changes in footwear.

Stress fractures of the foot and lower leg are small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive loading and overuse, rather than a single traumatic incident. They are especially common in runners, military recruits, dancers, and court-sport athletes, as well as individuals who rapidly increase training volume, intensity, or impact activity.

Typical stress fracture symptoms include localised pain that worsens with weight-bearing or impact, tenderness to touch over a specific spot, swelling, and pain that progressively increases during activity and may persist afterward. Unlike general “shin splints,” stress fracture pain is usually sharp, pinpoint, and load-dependent.

If left untreated, stress fractures can worsen and develop into complete fractures, significantly prolonging recovery.

Ankle osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage in the ankle joint gradually wears down, leading to ankle pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. It is often linked to previous ankle injuries such as recurrent ankle sprains or fractures, but can also develop through age-related changes or long-term joint overload.

Typical ankle osteoarthritis symptoms include pain with walking or standing, morning stiffness that improves as you move, joint swelling, reduced range of motion, and difficulty with activities such as stairs, uneven ground, or sport. Symptoms may flare after higher levels of activity.

Hallux valgus is a condition where the big toe gradually deviates toward the smaller toes, causing a bunion on the inside of the foot. This change in alignment can lead to pain, swelling, redness, shoe irritation, and difficulty walking or running, particularly when wearing narrow or tight footwear.

Typical symptoms include pain around the big toe joint, reduced movement, rubbing from shoes, callus formation, and progressive cosmetic changes to the forefoot. Over time, the altered mechanics of the big toe can affect balance, push-off strength, and overall foot function.

Hallux valgus is more common in people who spend long periods on their feet, have a family history of bunions, wear tight or high-heeled footwear, or participate in activities that load the forefoot. It may also occur alongside flat feet or ligament laxity.