Foot, Ankle, & Heel Pain Treatment in Birmingham & Warwickshire
Promoting A New Standard Of Clinical Excellence In The Diagnosis & Treatment Of Foot Pain, Ankle Pain & Heel Pain.
Foot and ankle pain is a prevalent concern in the United Kingdom, affecting a significant portion of the population. Research indicates that between 13% and 36% of individuals experience foot pain, while approximately 12% report ankle pain. Notably, the foot and ankle rank as the third most common sites of self-reported joint pain among adults over 55 years of age.Â
A comprehensive study utilising data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) revealed that foot and/or ankle pain was recorded in 3% of general practice encounters. The prevalence was higher among females (54.4%), with individuals aged 71–80 years accounting for the greatest number of consultations.Â
The impact of foot and ankle pain extends beyond discomfort, contributing to functional impairments such as difficulty walking, impaired balance, and an increased risk of falls.Â
Addressing this concern requires a comprehensive approach, including preventive measures, effective management strategies, and enhanced awareness of appropriate referral pathways to optimise patient outcomes.
Common Causes Of Foot Pain, Ankle Pain & Heel Pain.
Musculoskeletal foot & ankle pain can arise from various structures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and nerves. It is essential to differentiate between different causes to provide appropriate treatment and management. Some common causes of musculoskeletal foot & ankle pain include:
Ankle Joint Problems
- Osteoarthritis, DJD, Wear & Tear – Gradual onset, stiffness, reduced range of motion..
- Ankle Sprain (Ligament Injury, Commonly ATFL) – Swelling, bruising, instability, history of twisting injury.
- Fractures (e.g., Malleolar, Talus, Calcaneus, Lisfranc Injury) – Trauma-related, localised tenderness, deformity.
- Tarsal Coalition – Inherited abnormality, restricted subtalar joint motion, often in adolescents.
- Osteochondral Lesions (e.g., Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Talus) – Deep pain, locking, or catching.
Medial Foot and Ankle Pain (Inside)
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction – Pain and swelling along inside ankle, progressive arch collapse.
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Tibial Nerve Entrapment) – Burning pain, and tingling, worse at night.
- Flexor Tendonitis (Flexor Hallucis Longus, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Tibialis Posterior) – Pain with resisted flexion of toes.
Lateral Foot and Ankle Pain (Outside)
- Peroneal Tendonitis or Subluxation – Outside ankle pain, instability, clicking.
- Sinus Tarsi Syndrome – Pain over outside ankle, often after repeated sprains.
- Cuboid Syndrome – Pain and instability after rolling the ankle (inversion injury).
Posterior Ankle and Heel Pain (Back)
- Achilles Tendinopathy (Insertional or Non-insertional) – Morning stiffness, thickened tendon, pain with bending the ankle.
- Haglund’s Deformity (Pump Bump) – Rear heel pain from shoe pressure.
- Retrocalcaneal Bursitis – Pain and swelling between Achilles tendon and heel.
- Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis, in Children) – Heel pain in active children, worsens with activity.
Plantar Foot Pain (Sole)
- Plantar Fasciitis – Sharp heel pain, worse in the morning or after rest.
- Fat Pad Atrophy – Heel pain, worsened by prolonged standing.
- Heel Spur Syndrome – Often associated with plantar fasciitis.
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome – Radiating pain and numbness in the sole.
Forefoot Pain (Front)
- Metatarsalgia – Pain under metatarsal heads, worsened by high-impact activity.
- Morton’s Neuroma – Burning pain, numbness between 3rd and 4th toes, worse in tight shoes.
- Sesamoiditis – Localised pain under first metatarsal (toe) head.
- Hallux Valgus (Bunion) – Pain over inside of the big toe joint with deformity.
2. Systemic & Referred Causes
- Gout – Acute, severe pain, swelling, redness, commonly at the big toe.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – foot pain, stiffness, deformity on both feet.
- Psoriatic Arthritis – Sausage digits (dactylitis), associated skin changes.
- Charcot Foot (Diabetic Neuropathy) – Painless swelling, deformity, risk of ulceration.
- Peripheral Neuropathy (Diabetes, Alcoholism, Vitamin Deficiency) – Burning, tingling, loss of sensation.
- Vascular Causes (Peripheral Arterial Disease, DVT, Venous Insufficiency) – Pain worsened by exertion, pale feet, diminished pulses, swelling.
Consultation & Diagnosis of Foot Pain, Ankle Pain & Heel Pain.
Understanding your Foot Pain, Ankle Pain, or Heel Pain.
A Diagnosis: Clearly explaining your foot & ankle pain and its potential underlying causes / contributions.
A Prognosis: Offering an understanding of how your foot & ankle pain is likely to progress and the expected recovery timeline.
A Treatment Plan: If we determine that your foot & ankle pain is suitable for management within our clinic, we will outline the proposed approach.
- What we can do to help.
- What you will be able to do, in order to help yourself.
- What results you can expect.
- The rate at which you can expect these results.
- What this result will cost you in time and money. ‘We aim to make all costs involved in the management of your case known to you from the outset.’
- If we feel that your complaint would be better managed by another clinician, the appropriate referral to that clinician will be made without delay.
Safe & Effective Treatment Of Foot Pain, Ankle Pain, & Heel Pain.
Our treatments typically include a comprehensive range of gentle, evidence-based conservative care procedures.
Each patient’s care plan is personalised, taking into account their unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. We recognise that some patients may feel apprehensive about treatment, and we are committed to providing comfort and reassurance throughout the process. The care we provide includes, but is not limited to:
- Spinal mobilisation
- Peripheral joint manipulative therapy
- Peripheral joint mobilisation
- Nerve mobilisation
- Pacing & graded exposure
- Postural & lifestyle advice
- Myofascial therapy (soft tissue work)
- Orthotic & splint prescription
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Pain education
- Rehabilitative exercise management:
- Strength & endurance training
- Movement pattern training
- Postural exercise
- Flexibility exercise
- Balance training
- Graded motor imagery
Who Should I See? Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Osteopath, or Podiatrist?
For the treatment of foot & ankle pain, you are welcome to see any one of our Chiropractors, Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, or Osteopaths.
We triage the care of each patient, and if we feel that a complaint would be better managed by another member of our team, we simply refer that patient to the relevant clinician. Furthermore, we often co-manage patients. For example, our Podiatrist may assist a patient in their orthotic prescription, while one of our Chiropractors, Osteopaths, or Physiotherapists offers physical therapy to that patient.
