Pain in the ankle and foot can have a real impact on daily life, since we depend on these structures for almost every step. The ankle and foot together contain many bones, joints, ligaments and tendons working in close concert, so pain here can arise from a number of different sources. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire with ankle and foot pain, beginning with a careful assessment to work out what is going on.
Understanding ankle and foot pain
The foot and ankle are remarkable structures, built from over two dozen bones and many joints, bound together by ligaments and powered by tendons that pass down from the lower leg. Together they bear the body’s weight, absorb impact, adapt to uneven ground and provide the spring that propels us forward. With so many moving parts under so much load, it is not surprising that pain can develop in a range of ways — most of them mechanical rather than signs of serious disease.
Because the foot is in contact with the ground, even small problems can become surprisingly limiting: it is hard to rest a foot when you need it for every step. This is part of why foot and ankle pain is worth addressing properly rather than simply working around, and why a sensible balance of activity and recovery matters during healing.
This variety is why an accurate assessment matters. Pain on the outer ankle often involves the ligaments, as after a sprain; pain under the heel frequently points to plantar fasciitis; pain at the back of the ankle may involve the Achilles tendon; and an aching, stiffening joint can involve wear-and-tear changes. Identifying the source is what allows care to be focused where it will genuinely help.
The foot is also the foundation for everything above it. How the foot strikes the ground and how the ankle moves influence the knee, hip and even the lower back, so foot and ankle problems are worth taking seriously not only for their own sake but for their effect on the whole chain of the lower limb.
What ankle and foot pain can feel like
Because so many structures can be involved, symptoms vary, but may include:
- Pain on the outer or inner ankle, particularly after a twist or sprain
- Pain under the heel or along the sole of the foot
- Pain at the back of the ankle, around the Achilles tendon
- Aching, stiffness or swelling in the joints of the foot or ankle
- Pain that has built up gradually, or come on suddenly after an injury
- Pain clearly linked to walking, standing or particular activities
- A sense of weakness, instability or reduced confidence in the joint
The precise location of your pain, whether it began suddenly or gradually, and the movements that provoke or ease it, all give us important clues about which structures are involved.
Common causes and risk factors
Ankle and foot pain has many possible causes, including:
- Ligament injuries such as ankle sprains
- Tissue overload such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon problems
- Wear-and-tear changes such as osteoarthritis in the joints of the foot or ankle
- Previous injuries that have left a joint stiff, weak or less stable
- Foot mechanics and footwear that increase load on certain areas
- Overuse, or a sudden increase in walking or activity
- Problems referred from, or related to, the knee, hip or lower back
Part of our assessment is narrowing down which of these is most relevant for you, so that care can be directed sensibly.
When to seek help
Much ankle and foot pain settles with the right care, but some situations need prompt medical attention. Please seek urgent care if your pain follows a significant injury and you cannot bear weight or the area looks deformed, or if the foot or ankle is hot, swollen and red with a fever, which can suggest infection. You should also see your GP for pain that is severe, steadily worsening, or accompanied by numbness, tingling or feeling generally unwell.
How chiropractic care can help
Joint, ligament and tendon problems of this kind sit well within the range of problems chiropractors care for. The aim of our care is to settle the symptoms, restore comfortable movement, and rebuild the strength and balance that keep the foot and ankle working well. Following a thorough assessment — including the knee, hip and the way you move, since these all influence the foot — our hands-on, drug-free care may include soft-tissue work, mobilisation of the foot, ankle and surrounding joints where movement is restricted, and a graded rehabilitation programme to restore strength, balance and control. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy. We will always be honest about what care can realistically offer, and recognise when a problem needs imaging or onward referral.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your pain and where it is coming from. We will take a careful history — how it started, what aggravates it, and how it affects your daily life — and carry out a physical examination of the foot, ankle and lower limb, including tests of strength, stability and movement, and how you walk. We will explain what we have found in plain language and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page. Because the foot and ankle are involved in everything we do on our feet, we will be realistic about timescales and about pacing activity during recovery, and review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and prevention
There is a lot you can do to support a recovering ankle and foot:
- Keep gently moving within comfortable limits rather than resting completely
- Choose supportive, well-fitting footwear suited to your activity and the surfaces you use
- Reduce, rather than completely stop, the activities that clearly aggravate it
- Build the strength and balance of the foot, ankle and lower leg gradually over time
- Pay attention to the foot, since it influences the knee, hip and back above it
- Return to activity progressively after an injury rather than all at once
- Increase walking or training loads in small steps rather than sudden jumps
- Address foot, ankle and calf flexibility and strength as part of recovery
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build a safe, progressive exercise and self-care plan around your particular problem.
Related conditions and treatments
Ankle and foot pain overlaps with ligament sprains, plantar fasciitis, shin pain, knee and leg pain and osteoarthritis. The care we provide draws on approaches such as exercise and rehabilitation and chiropractic manipulation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If ankle or foot pain is getting in the way of your life, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand your options. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.