FOOT & ANKLE PAIN
Understanding Foot & Ankle Pain
Your feet and ankles provide the foundation for walking, running, jumping, training, and many everyday activities. Pain in this area can develop suddenly following an injury or gradually as the demands placed on the foot and ankle change. Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms can help guide the right approach to recovery.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SYMPTOMS
Foot and ankle pain can make every step more difficult.
The foot and ankle contain numerous joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures that work together to provide mobility, stability, and support. Symptoms can vary depending on the area involved, how the foot and ankle are being loaded, and the activities that aggravate them.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Pain around the inside or outside of the ankle
Pain through the heel, arch, or other areas of the foot
Discomfort with walking, running, or stairs
Pain with jumping, pushing off, or changing direction
Stiffness or reduced ankle movement
Swelling or difficulty comfortably bearing weight
COMMON CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Muscle or tendon irritation
Sudden increases in activity or training
Changes in strength or ankle mobility
Repetitive running, jumping, or loading
Sports or workplace demands
Previous injury or trauma
COMMON FOOT & ANKLE CONDITIONS
Foot and/or ankle pain can be associated with a number of different injuries and conditions. Some commonly encountered examples include:
Ankle Sprains
Injury to the ligaments supporting the ankle commonly occurs when the ankle rolls or twists unexpectedly. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, reduced movement, and difficulty bearing weight.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Repetitive or increased loading of the Achilles tendon can contribute to pain and stiffness around the back of the ankle, particularly during walking, running, jumping, or pushing off.
Plantar Fasciitis / Plantar Heel Pain
Irritation of tissues along the bottom of the foot can contribute to heel or arch pain, often noticeable during the first steps after rest or with prolonged standing, walking, and running.
Peroneal Tendon Irritation
The tendons running along the outside of the ankle can become irritated with repetitive loading, changes in activity, or following an ankle injury.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Irritation
Irritation of the tendon running along the inside of the ankle can cause pain during walking, running, or other weight-bearing activities and may affect how the foot manages load.
Foot & Ankle Joint Injuries
Sprains, fractures, and other joint injuries can occur following falls, twisting injuries, direct impacts, or sporting activity and may cause pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.
Where you feel foot or ankle pain is only part of the picture.
Strength and movement at the foot, ankle, knee, and hip can influence how forces are managed through the lower limb, making it important to consider how the entire leg is functioning.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Building a stronger foundation for movement.
We assess how your foot and ankle move and respond to load while also considering the knee, hip, and other surrounding areas when relevant. Your work, sport, training, footwear, and everyday demands help us determine what your foot and ankle need to be able to tolerate.
Thorough Assessment
We’ll discuss your symptoms, injury history, activities, and goals while assessing foot and ankle movement, strength, stability, relevant joints, muscles and tendons, and movement patterns.
Hands-On Care
When appropriate, joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques may be used to help manage symptoms and restore comfortable movement.
Rehabilitation
Progressive mobility, strengthening, balance, and loading exercises can help restore function and gradually build your capacity for walking, running, jumping, training, sport, and everyday activities.
Education
We’ll help you identify aggravating activities and determine how to modify and gradually reintroduce them during recovery.
Your foot and ankle need to do more than simply move without pain. Our goal is to help restore the strength, movement, and confidence you need for the activities that matter to you.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
Manage the load while keeping your foot and ankle moving.
Modify Aggravating Activities
Temporarily adjusting how much, how often, or how intensely you walk, run, jump, train, or perform other aggravating activities can help reduce irritation while maintaining activity where possible.
Maintain Comfortable Movement
Where appropriate, continue gently moving your foot and ankle through comfortable ranges and maintaining tolerable everyday activity rather than unnecessarily avoiding movement altogether.
Consider an Assessment If:
- Pain isn’t improving
- Symptoms repeatedly return
- Ankle movement, strength, or balance is decreasing
- The ankle repeatedly feels unstable or gives way
- Symptoms interfere with walking, work, exercise, sport, or everyday activities
*Please note that these are general examples and do not replace medical advice.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention If:
- Significant pain or loss of function follows trauma
- You are unable to bear weight following an injury
- The foot or ankle appears visibly deformed
- Significant swelling, redness, warmth, or fever develops
- Numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation develops suddenly or progressively worsens
*Please note that these are general examples and do not replace medical advice.
Let's build a plan that works for you.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to improve the way you move, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.