Comprehensive Care for Foot & Ankle Conditions
Our foot and ankle specialists work with anyone who struggles with pain as a result of surgery, poor foot biomechanics, metatarsalgia, “flat feet”, bunions, arthritis, or tendinopathies (including Achilles and posterior tibialis). Foot and ankle problems are often related to other issues in the back, hip, knee, or even the spine – so we’ll always assess those areas too. We’ll then put together a personalized treatment program for you, taking into account your lifestyle and time constraints to make sure it’s both realistic and achievable.
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat
With 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the foot and ankle, it’s no surprise that they are so susceptible to injury. Strains, sprains, and fractures are among the most prevalent foot and ankle conditions. Our Foot and Ankle team is highly experienced in identifying and treating common concerns as well as less frequently experienced problems.
We’re also pleased to be introducing shockwave therapy, a non-invasive treatment particularly effective for persistent Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendinopathy. This evidence-based approach uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues and will be offered as part of our tailored treatment plans.
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
This is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue on the bottom of the feet that stretches from the heel to the toes. It’s estimated that 10% of people will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives, and pain can slowly increase until even walking is debilitating. Factors contributing to plantar fasciitis include changes or increases in activity, wearing incorrect footwear, foot mechanics, extra weight, or occupations that involve prolonged standing.
Achilles Tendinopathy
This condition affects the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that runs down the back of your lower leg to your heel. Typically, you’ll experience pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness when you touch the tendon, which can eventually affect your mobility. Usually, it’s a result of overuse and often affects those who play sports involving running or jumping. More serious cases may result in a tear or rupture, and we may refer you to an orthopedic specialist to discuss surgical repair..
Bunions
Also known as hallux valgus, a bunion is a deformity of the big toe and metatarsal bone. It is a very common condition, thought to affect more than 20% of adults, resulting from bones moving out of place and forcing the joint at the base of the big toe to stick out. Wearing tight, narrow shoes is a common cause, but bunions can also develop due to foot shape or medical conditions like arthritis. Bunion surgery is often advised, but physiotherapy both before and after surgery is important to strengthen muscles and improve balance and stability, helping to prevent recurrence.
Flat Feet
This common condition can develop in childhood or later in life for various reasons. It is caused by insufficiency in the tibialis posterior tendon and is often known as "dropped arches," as the raised arch of the foot is lost. You may experience pain and swelling on the inner ankle or inside of the foot. Rehabilitation aims to increase arch control and strength, and you may be referred to a podiatrist for orthotic soles.
Hammer Toes
This presents as an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by incorrect footwear, a foot deformity, or trauma. Initially, hammer toes are flexible and can usually be treated with conservative methods, but if left untreated, they can become fixed, necessitating referral to an orthopedic specialist.
Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain is a common condition we treat, affecting people of all ages, often due to sporting injuries. Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones and stabilize joints during movement. When these ligaments stretch beyond their limit, they can tear, resulting in pain and instability. Our physiotherapy approach focuses on reducing pain and swelling, protecting the joint, and restoring ankle stability through targeted exercises and rehabilitation goals.
Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a small crack or severe bruising in a bone and is usually caused by overuse and repetitive activity. Runners are often affected. It is a common condition affecting the foot and ankle because we continually place a great deal of force and weight on the bones in our lower extremities. The key symptom is pain, often becoming more intense when you take part in more strenuous activities and then improving when you rest. A treatment plan that carefully returns you to your previous level of activity is essential to avoid the risk of a complete fracture.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
When you first arrive at Physio Remedies (and after you’ve filled out a few tedious forms!), we’ll usually have a one-hour session with you, broken down as follows:
+ 1: Full assessment of your issues
Your therapist will ask you questions about what’s happened, what hurts, what treatment you’ve had to date, past injuries/medical conditions, your general fitness, and so on.
+ 2: Physical examination
Your therapist will look at the area of pain, but also the body as a whole: your current pain could, for example, be the result of an injury from years ago that’s now putting excessive pressure elsewhere.
+ 3: Treatment and next steps
Once your therapist has a good overview of what’s wrong, they may be able to provide you with some treatment there and then to ease your pain and make you feel more comfortable. They’ll also sit down and discuss their findings and next steps with you.
These next steps may involve regular physiotherapy, exercises for you to do at home, massage (our massage therapist [Emily] does excellent post-op scar tissue work), and more. When you’re given exercises to do in your own time, we sometimes like to record them on your phone (with your permission, of course), so that you have something accurate to follow. Alternatively, we might give you links to exercise programmes created just for you.
Your therapist will never give you too many exercises – and they’ll always check that you’ll realistically be able to fit them into your days.
+ 4: And then?
What happens next depends on your specific condition and the treatment required. Your therapist will outline everything in detail during the first appointment, so that you know exactly what’s going to happen and how long your treatment may take.
Meet Our Foot & Ankle Physiotherapy Specialists
Sarah Lawson
Sarah gained a postgraduate qualification in Sports Medicine in 1997. She has participated in a wide range of sports over the years, including triathlons, long-distance bike sportives, tennis, kitesurfing, strength & conditioning and sailing. She specialises in lower limb injuries, back pain and cycling- and running-related injuries. Her interest in foot and ankle treatments began after damaging her foot in 2015—an injury that required three injections followed by surgery to get her back to the activities she enjoys.
Dr. Sian MacRae, PhD
Sian is a Musculoskeletal Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and a member of the Association of Foot and Ankle Physiotherapists. She has a particular interest in lower limb biomechanics, the influence of footwear on musculoskeletal conditions, and conditions of the foot and ankle. Alongside her role here, Sian is the Lead Extended Scope Practitioner (ESP) at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.
Jane Baker
Jane is a specialist Foot and Ankle Physiotherapist and a member of the Association of Foot and Ankle Physiotherapists. With over 30 years of experience in musculoskeletal practice, she has spent the last 15 years specializing in physiotherapy and rehab for foot and ankle injuries. Her expertise covers all foot and ankle injuries, including pre and post-operative rehab, complex foot and ankle injuries, biomechanical problems, and injuries.