Foot and ankle pain
Don't let foot and ankle pain bother you
Common causes
- Plantar fasciitis leading to foot pain and/or heel pain. This may be due to overuse (e.g. running), increased weight (e.g. pregnancy) or unsupportive footwear (e.g. flip-flops, flat-soled shoes).
- Sprained ankle due to awkward landing, existing ankle injury or hypermobility.
- Achilles tendinopathy due to overuse, overstretching, excessive or insufficient foot pronation.
- Wear and tear of the joints of the foot due to osteoarthritis.
- Unsupportive or constricting footwear (e.g., flip-flops, flat-soled shoes, pointed shoes, high-heeled shoes).
- Referral pain, spasms or 'pins and needles' in the lower back.
Foot and ankle pain explained in plain language
- Ankle and foot pain can occur at any age for a variety of reasons. However, it is probably most common in sports people, especially those who run a lot. This is due to the repetitive forceful impact on the feet and ankles, the tendency to tight calf muscles and the increased likelihood of ankle sprain due to awkward landing.
- Unsupportive and constricting footwear, especially in women, is also a common cause of foot pain. High heels put tremendous strain on the calf muscles (as well as the lower back and thighs), while flat shoes or flip-flops do not provide sufficient support to the arches of the feet.
What are the main causes of foot and ankle pain?
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis can start acutely - after overexertion or playing sports on unsuitable terrains and surfaces, or it can be chronic. Most commonly, the tendon sheath, surrounding soft tissues or the bursa between the patella bone and Achilles tendon become inflamed. The disease manifests with swelling and pain in the Achilles tendon area.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the heel. The plantar fascia is a thick, web-like ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. It acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot, helping you walk. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic complaints. Your plantar-fascial ligaments experience a lot of strain in daily life,in which the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and the inflammation causes heel pain and stiffness.
Sprained ankle
This is a pathological movement of the ankle joint that causes stretching or tearing of the ligaments that stabilize the lower legs.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle
It is a silent and permanent disease that interferes with mobility and limits the quality of life for many people. What's more, the pain it causes does not always subside after taking painkillers. This is osteoarthritis of the ankle. Although more people often talk about bone or knee wear and tear, osteoarthritis of the ankle is a very common condition associated with degenerative diseases.
How does the osteopath treat foot and ankle pain?
An osteopath can assess what is causing your ankle or foot pain. We can provide therapy and advice for all of the above conditions. Therapy may include massage, joint mobilisation, stretching and advice on exercises to do at home. As well as foot and ankle therapy, we can also work on hips, knees, pelvis and back if assessment identifies contributing factors to these areas.