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The ankle is a joint made of 3 bones: the tibia (shin), fibula (shin), and talus (foot). Many different bones make up the foot and toes.
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Many people get ankle or foot pain without any actual damage to the joints or other structures (e.g. muscles, tendons and ligaments).
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Noises such as creaking and clicking are quite common in people without ankle and foot pain and rarely indicate damage or harm.
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In the absence of trauma, X-rays and scans often are not needed to find the cause of your ankle or foot pain.
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Graded movement and exercise in most cases is not harmful to your ankle and foot and will actually help your pain by making the area stronger and more mobile.
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Maintaining a healthy weight and diet can have a positive impact on ankle and foot pain by reducing inflammation in the body and reducing the load through the foot.
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There are lots of things you can do by yourself to help you manage your foot & ankle pain (see below). However, if you have been unable to decrease your symptoms by yourself, please self-refer to be assessed by a physiotherapist. - URefer
Ankle & Foot Conditions
About the Ankle and Foot:
Foot and ankle pain is very common, and can be caused by a number of things. Sometimes there is a specific injury, but often foot pain can be due to a change in factors such as the amount of activity we are doing or wearing different footwear. Foot and ankle pain can be very painful and inhibit everyday tasks, however there is rarely a serious cause for the pain. For many people, the pain will usually settle on it’s own within 6-12 weeks. This page will guide you to manage your recovery from foot and ankle pain and also advise when to seek help.
Key Facts about the Ankle & Foot
Common causes of Foot & Ankle pain
A number of different factors can contribute to the start of ankle and foot pain. These include:
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A specific injury or trauma to the area, which could affect the bone, muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons.
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A change in footwear.
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A sudden change in activity - this may be a change in the amount, or the type of activity you are doing.
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A flare up of underlying conditions such as fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Pain referred from elsewhere- such as sciatic pain.
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During or following a period of stress, illness, or worry.
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Lifestyle factors - such as having diabetes, smoking, or being overweight.
General symptoms of Ankle & Foot pain
People with foot and ankle pain may complain of any of the below changes. These could be on their own, or in any combination. The pain could be there all the time, or it could come and go (depending on what position or activity you are doing).
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Pain.
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Difficulty walking, this may just be when you initiate walking, or this may continue as you walk more.
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Swelling.
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Reduced movement or stiffness.
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Reduced strength.
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Reduced balance.
