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 personalised treatment programme for you, taking into account your lifestyle and time constraints to make sure it’s both realistic and achievable.
Foot and ankle conditions we treat
With 26 bones, 33 joints and over a 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting the foot and ankle, it’s no surprise that they are so susceptible to injury and strains, sprains and fractures are the most prevalent foot and ankle conditions. Our new Foot and Ankle team are highly experienced in identifying and treating common concerns as well as less frequently experienced problems.
Plantar Fasciitis
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. It’s thought that a change or increase in activity, wearing incorrect footwear, your foot mechanics, extra weight, or certain occupations that involve you being on your feet all day, can contribute.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Another common condition which 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, that can eventually affect your mobility. Usually, it’s a result of overuse and often affects those who play sports that involve running or jumping. More serious cases of Achilles Tendinopathy may result in a tear or rupture to the Achilles and we may refer to an orthopaedic 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 and it is the result of the bones moving out of place, forcing the joint at the base of the big toe to stick out. Wearing tight, narrow shoes are a common cause, but bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot or a medical condition such as arthritis. Bunion surgery is often advised, but physiotherapy both before and after surgery is important to strengthen the muscles and improve balance and stability, which help to prevent the bunion from recurring.
Flat Feet
This is a common paediatric condition, but can also develop later on in life for a number of 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 and you can experience pain and swelling on the inner ankle or inside of the foot. Rehabilitation is aimed at increasing 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 and is 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 as the result of trauma. Initially, hammer toes are flexible and can usually be treated with conservative methods but, if left untreated, they can become fixed and we may need to refer you to an orthopaedic specialist.
Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain is a common condition we treat as it can affect people of all ages, often due to a sporting injury. The ligaments are the strong, fibrous tissue that connect bones to other bones and, in the ankle, they keep the joint in position and stabilise it as you twist, run or jump. When the ligaments stretch beyond their limit they can tear, resulting in a mild to severe sprain. Most occur in the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle and, if not properly rehabilitated, a severe sprain can weaken the ankle over time, resulting in debilitating ankle pain, arthritis and instability in the joint.
Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is 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.