Find out about foot and ankle pain

Foot and ankle pain is very common, probably because of all the use our feet get. Here we take a look at the most common causes and how to treat foot and ankle pain.

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Symptoms of ankle and foot pain

Pain may be felt from the toes of the foot to the heels, or in the ankle joint.

Swelling, pain and stiffness can occur if the ankle joint is sprained or the joints in the toes become injured.

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Damage to the foot can cause bruising and redness, which may be painful when pressure is applied.

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Swelling and pain can make it hard to move the ankle joint freely or put weight on the foot.

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How foot and ankle pain can affect you?

Most people have experienced foot and ankle pain, making it painful to carry out everyday activities like walking the dog, climbing upstairs, running for the bus and playing sports.

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Did you know?

46% of people feel pain in their ankles.*

59% of people feel pain in their feet.*

treat your pain

*GSK Global Pain Index Research 2014 – full report p.62

Why do we experience foot and ankle pain?

Foot and ankle pain can be caused by overuse injuries and sprains, as well as fractures or broken bones. Plantar fasciitis, caused by damage to the band of tissue that runs under the sole, can cause heel pain. You can also experience foot pain if you wear tight, high-heeled or ill-fitting shoes, while sport injuries can also cause foot or ankle pain.

If you have pain in your heel, it could be an Achilles tendon injury

Stiffness and pain along the back of your heel could be a sign of damage to your Achilles tendon. This is caused by repetitive or intense strain of the tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. The Achilles tendon is used when you walk, run, jump or stand on tip toe so this injury often occurs after you have been playing sports.

Sprains and ankle pain

Sprains are a common cause of ankle pain. They occur when ligaments are stretched, twisted or torn, resulting in a swollen ankle that hurts when you put weight on it.

Expert treatment

Because we use our feet and ankles every day to get around, when they are painful it can be quite unbearable. Often, home remedies can help alleviate pain, such as applying ice to reduce swelling, keeping your foot elevated and using over-the-counter pain medicine to reduce pain and inflammation. However, if you have severe pain, swelling, or an open wound, you should see a doctor. It is also important to see a professional if you’re unable to put weight on your foot, making it difficult to walk, have burning pain, numbness, or are diabetic. Your doctor may perform a physical exam and suggest light exercises as well as order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI.

Ankle ABC

This simple range of motion stretch helps to maintain flexibility and mobility in the ankle joint

You should feel this stretch at the top of your foot and in your ankle

Sit down, making sure that your feet don’t touch the ground
Leading with your big toe, use your foot to write each letter of the alphabet in the air
Repeat with your other ankle
Keep movements small, using just your foot and ankle
Do this exercise twice a day