Within NTIMS, we provide specialist assessment and management of a variety of foot and ankle problems.

These problems can be secondary to injury, ageing, doing too much or too little. At times, there will not be an obvious direct cause.

Symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness, giving way, pins and needles or numbness. Often it is not necessary to seek input from a health professional. Symptoms usually start to feel better within six weeks.

  • Foot and ankle pain is common without any damage to the joints, ligaments or tendons.
  • Clicking and creaking of the foot and ankle is common and is rarely a sign of harm or damage.
  • Your foot and ankle can become healthier and stronger with regular movement and exercise.
  • Even if you have had foot and ankle pain for a long time, it can often improve with the right management – consistency is key!
  • If you are overweight - losing weight by getting more active and improving your diet can improve your foot and ankle pain by reducing inflammation in your body and the load on your lower limb joints.
  • X-ray and scans are not usually needed to diagnose foot and ankle pain.
  • X-ray and scans are not able to tell us how much pain you are experiencing.
  • X-rays and scans often will identify normal age related changes or joint space narrowing which are common findings, even in those that do not have foot and ankle pain and this will often not change the management of the condition.
  • X-rays and scans are best used when there is suspicion of serious injury ie broken bone, or conditions such as cancer or infections.

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness first thing in the morning or after a period of rest.
  • Feeling of instability
  • Feeling of weakness

  • Generally, keeping moving is the best thing to do to aid recovery and return to usual function.
  • Within the first 48 hours, it may be necessary to ease back a little on usual activities and ‘relatively rest’ the painful areas.
  • Try not to stop using the area and to carry out a few movements every hour to prevent stiffness.
  • After 48 hours, you may wish to increase the use of your joint gradually.
  • Most people will find keeping mobile ‘little and often’ is beneficial, as our muscles, nerves and joints respond well to movement. This is needed to keep them healthy.

  • It is very important that you are coping well with your pain.
  • It is important to manage your pain so that you are able to move more comfortably. Taking regular pain relief will maximise its effect.
  • You may wish to speak with your community pharmacist, allied health prescriber or GP about pain relief.

  • Usually, keeping time off work to a minimum has been shown to have better outcomes for recovery. It is not always necessary to be pain free before returning to work.
  • You may wish to avoid recreational activities or sports which involve significant demand until your pain is lessened and your movement has returned.

  • Seek urgent advice if you have had a fall or twisting injury and the ankle or foot looks out of shape.
  • If you are unable to stand or walk.
  • If your calf is hot, red, swollen and tender.
  • If you have a fever and your foot or ankle is hot, red, swollen and painful.  
  • If you are diabetic and have an open wound, ulcer or a hot swollen foot.

Ankle pain

 

Foot pain

 

Help and support

  • If after six weeks, you have tried the advice and exercise suggested and your symptoms haven’t improved, a self-referral to NTIMS may be beneficial.
  • Click here for self-referral
  • You may also be able to self-refer to our podiatry service. You can find out more here.