Ankle and foot pain is very common and can affect walking, work, sport and sleep. Most problems, such as heel pain, sprains and ball-of-foot pain, are mechanical and settle with the right mix of advice, footwear changes, exercise and time. A clear assessment helps you understand what is going on and which steps are most likely to help.
Common ankle & foot conditions
Plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis) (plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciopathy)
Plantar heel pain, often called plantar fasciitis, is pain under the heel where the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue along the sole) attaches to the heel bone.
Read more→Ankle sprain (sprained ankle, lateral ankle sprain)
An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support the ankle, most often on the outer side when the foot rolls inwards.
Read more→Chronic ankle instability (weak ankle, recurrent ankle sprains)
Chronic ankle instability is when an ankle keeps giving way, feels wobbly or is sprained repeatedly after an earlier sprain.
Read more→Morton's neuroma (Morton's metatarsalgia, interdigital neuroma)
Morton's neuroma is a painful thickening around a nerve between the long bones of the foot, most often between the third and fourth toes.
Read more→Bunions (hallux valgus) (bunion, hallux valgus)
A bunion (hallux valgus) is when the big toe angles towards the smaller toes, creating a bony bump on the inner side of the foot at the base of the big toe.
Read more→Ball-of-foot pain (metatarsalgia) (metatarsalgia, forefoot pain)
Metatarsalgia is the general name for pain in the ball of the foot, under the ends of the long metatarsal bones just behind the toes.
Read more→Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (adult acquired flatfoot) (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, PTTD)
Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction is a problem with the tendon that runs behind the inner ankle bone and helps support the arch of the foot.
Read more→Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) (calcaneal apophysitis, heel growth plate pain)
Sever's disease is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone, and it is the most common cause of heel pain in active children.
Read more→
Getting the right help
Not sure which of these fits? Our team can assess what is going on, explain it clearly and point you to the right care, including referral back to your GP where that is the better route.
Other areas
- Head and jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Wrist and hand pain
- Upper back and chest wall pain
- Lower back pain
- Hip, groin and pelvic pain
- Knee pain
- Shin and calf pain
- Pain in pregnancy and after birth
- Aches and pains in children and young people
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.
