The ankle joint is a complex combination of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. For that reason, there are many causes of ankle pain. The most common is a sprain, which happens when a ligament is stretched beyond its normal range and tears or ruptures. Another cause of ankle pain is stress fractures, which are hairline cracks in the bones that are caused by the type of repetitive pounding that occurs while running or playing sports. Other causes of ankle pain include arthritis, gout, and Achilles tendonitis. Gout is an inflammatory condition related to the overabundance of uric acid in the body. Crystals can form within the ankle joint and cause extreme pain. Achilles tendonitis is largely the result of overuse in the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel. Resting the ankle is the first on the treatment list, but if bearing weight on the injured foot is difficult or impossible, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist for help.
Ankle pain is a common symptom of many lower limb problems. If you are experiencing ankle pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
The ankle is composed of a number of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many conditions which may cause ankle pain.
Causes
Ankle strains or sprains
Achilles tendon injuries
Fractures
Bursitis
Arthritis
Gout
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms
If you have ankle pain, you may also experience a variety of other symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Some of these symptoms may include ankle swelling, bruising, redness, numbness or tingling, instability, and difficulty walking.
Diagnosis
The underlying cause of ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. Diagnoses are typically made based on your medical history, a physical examination of the affected ankle, and imaging studies such as X-rays.
Treatment
Treatment for your ankle pain will depend on its underlying cause. Often, the chiropodist will recommend that you rest the affected ankle. You might also need to ice, compress, and elevate the ankle, wear an orthotic device, or take medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Blisters, shin splints, and swollen feet are just a few of the foot problems that can result from standing all day at work. There are various ways to take the load off your feet, during your working hours and after. Some of these include making sure to wear properly fitting, supportive, cushioned, close-toed, and comfortable shoes. Using anti-fatigue mats for repetitive tasks, doing exercises to strengthen the feet and legs for demanding work endurance, and taking regular breaks also help. Massaging your feet and soaking them after work may help relieve aches and pain. There are many other ways to prepare and take care of the feet when you must stand on them for prolonged periods. It is suggested that you visit a chiropodist to find out more.
If you stand all day, you may be at an increased risk of developing various foot conditions. If you are experiencing foot pain of any kind, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Foot Problems Are Caused by Standing?
Standing all day at work may increase your risk of developing foot or ankle problems.
Some common foot conditions that may arise from spending all day on your feet include:
Foot pain
Blisters
Corns and calluses
Arthritis
Flat feet
Bunions
Sprains
Athlete’s foot
Prevention
If you stand for prolonged periods of time for work, taking preventative measures to preserve the health of your feet is strongly recommended.
Measures you can implement to help prevent foot problems include:
Wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit well - these shoes should be made of breathable materials and provide you with arch support and cushioning. It is best to avoid shoes that have heels or narrow toe boxes.
Taking breaks to rest, walk, and stretch your feet throughout the day
Maintaining good foot hygiene - wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!
Whilst the scope of practice may be slightly different between our two practices; the culture within the two practices is very much the same. (Check out our other blogs on our practice in Weybridge, Surrey, UK, and Niagara Falls, Canada).
The culture of the place has been discussed to some extent in a previous blog which can be viewed here.
However, to get a real appreciation of what life is like it’s always nice to ask others and it is no better reflected than when we ask new graduate and student-visitors attending our practices what their experience has been like. It is pleasure to be able to share the experience below of Ben Morris who joined our Weybridge practice, initially observing and assisting in 2022, just after he completed his MSc in podiatry and Lulian Corila who attended our Niagara Falls, Canada practice as a student during his training at in 2023 for some observational work.
Ben Morris, MRCPod, MSc Pod
“I joined The Footcare Centre in the summer of 2022 after attending the University of Brighton. The team at The Footcare Centre offered me the opportunity to attend the practice prior to my registration to assist in the transition from student to practitioner. Throughout the summer I met the team, shadowed experienced podiatrists and health professionals at the practice. I was able to develop my knowledge of new treatments offered (including needling, Low Level Laser and shockwave therapy) and I was also able to familiarise myself with additional local practitioners to aid with referrals, and observe biomechanical assessment and nail surgery.”
Lulian Corila Student, The Michener Institute, Toronto, Canada
“My Experience in Clinic at the Footcare Centre. This summer I have had the pleasure of shadowing Stuart Berry at his practice where I was able to witness the intricacies of the profession and gain valuable experience in the clinical setting. Being part of their team reinforced my interest in chiropody/podiatry and supplied me with knowledge that I was not able to collect at my school placement.
Working at the Footcare Centre was beneficial as their wide scope of practice made it possible for me to see the variety of pathways that podiatry offers. During my clinical placement at school, most of our visits consisted of routine care which made it difficult for me to apply my knowledge that was gained throughout the semester. After the completion of my first year, I felt that I was knowledgeable in theory but wanting to reinforce all the information I gathered which attracted me to Stuart’s practice. In my first week, I was able to oversee more cases than I did in 4 months’ worth of clinical practice at school, which has not only better prepared me for my second year, but also showed me what private practice is really like. From sport injuries and tenotomies to ischemic ulcers, I realized that the day to day operations of private practice is exactly what I was hoping it would be like.
The most fulfilling aspect of my time at the Footcare Centre was seeing the wide spectrum of ages that come for treatment to Stuart’s practice. We are able to help people return to their regular activities and live the lives that they want through various stages of life. From children to elderly patients, the importance of our profession was magnified to an extent that I was unaware of. In addition to this, seeing how relieved and happy people felt after their visits provided me with a great example of how fulfilling this profession can be.
The Footcare Centre is also fully equipped with technologies and interventions that I have not even learned in school yet. Being in a practice that is up to date is not only a testament to Stuart’s dedication to providing his patients with the best possible care, but is an example of how a practice can continue to better itself which is important.
Stuart’s professionalism, passion and ability to build relationships with his clients and staff reflected in the environment of the clinic that fostered comfort and a family-like feel. It is a perfect model of what a practice should feel like.”
