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Foot & ankle

Introduction

Good foot and ankle health is essential for an active life. Feet are surprisingly complex: they have 26 bones, 33 points and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons. Because of this, there’s a variety of different health conditions that you may experience in your life, caused by general bodily wear and tear, wearing the wrong shoes, injuries or the ageing process. 

During your consultation, our specialist foot and ankle consultants  will discuss your concerns, and appropriate treatment with you. 

Ready to book now? Get in touch to discuss your needs and decide on the best course of treatment for you.

Ready to book now? Get in touch to discuss your needs and decide on the best course of treatment for you.

Reasons to see a foot and ankle specialist

You may choose, or be referred on, to see a specialist if you experience: 

  • Inflammation of the joint, indicated by swelling 
  • Ongoing joint pain 
  • Pain in the ball of your foot 
  • Tenderness of the joints 
  • Stiffness, redness or warmth 
  • Deformity of the joint 
  • Loss of range of motion or flexibility 
  • Fatigue, weakness or a lack of energy

Common foot and ankle conditions

Bunions (Hallux valgus)

A bunion is a bony lump on your foot. Bunions don’t always cause symptoms but can get worse over time. They can be painful, especially when you’re walking or wearing shoes. The main symptoms of bunions include: 

  • Hard lumps on the side of your feet, by your big toe 
  • Your big toe pointing toward other toes 
  • Hard, swollen skin. The bunion itself may look red or darker than the surrounding skin. 

Arthritis of the big toe (Hallux rigidus)

Arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the big toe can result in your toe becoming stiff and painful (hallux rigidus). This can lead to a bony lump on the top of the joint. This can make wearing shoes challenging. 

Toe deformities
(Hammer toe, claw toe, mallet toe)

Hammertoe (mallet toe, claw toe) is a deformity in the toes due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons or ligaments that normally hold them straight. If you experience a toe deformity, you may experience pain, and find it unpleasant to look at. 

Morton’s neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a condition that affects the ball of your foot, typically the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe. 

Ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the surrounding flesh. This can result in pain, redness, swelling and in some cases an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe. 

Heel pain

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain around your heel and arch. It is caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue across the bottom of your foot. 

It’s more likely to be plantar fasciitis if you experience that: 

  • The pain is worse when you start walking after sleeping or a period of rest 
  • The pain feels better during exercise, but returns after resting 
  • It’s difficult to raise your toes off the floor. 

Foot bursitis

Bursitis is when a joint becomes painful and swollen. This happens when fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion joints become inflamed. Bursitis can affect any joint, but commonly occurs in feet.  

You may have foot bursitis if one of your joints is:

  • Painful – typically a dull, achy pain 
  • Tender or warmer than surrounding skin 
  • Swollen 
  • More painful when you move it or press on it. 

Our consultants

Mr Ernest Barlow-Kearsley
Mr Ernest Barlow-Kearsley
Consultant Podiatric Surgeon
BSc (Hons) Podiatric Studies, FCPodS (Fellowship in Podiatric Surgery), CCPST (Certification in Completion of Podiatric Surgical Training)
Mr Ian Beech
Mr Ian Beech
Consultant Podiatric Surgeon
BSc (Hons) Podiatric Studies, FCPodS (Fellowship in Podiatric Surgery), CCPST (Certification in Completion of Podiatric Surgical Training)
Ross Diaper
Ross Diaper
Podiatrist
BSc (Hons) Podiatry, MSc in Theory of Podiatric Surgery
Mr Robin Elliot
Mr Robin Elliot
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MA (Oxon), MBBS, FRCS (Tr & Orth)
Nick Knight
Nick Knight
Podiatrist
Podiatry with Clinical Biomechanics MSc
Mr Togay Koç
Mr Togay Koç
Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgeon
BSc, MBBS, MSc, FRCS (T&O)
Mr Chandra Pasapula
Mr Chandra Pasapula
Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon
BSc, MBBS, FRCS (Ortho), MRCS
Mr Darius Rad
Mr Darius Rad
Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
MD, FEBOT, PG Cert Med Ed
Mr Chris Withey
Mr Chris Withey
Consultant Podiatric Surgeon
FRCPodS, BSc (Hons)

Ways to pay

Paying for yourself

Healthshare provides access to the highest quality care giving you the opportunity to access the very best treatment, facilities and consultants. Healthcare the way you want it, when you need it.

Spread the cost

A fixed term loan, provided by our partners Chrysalis Finance, will allow you to spread the cost of treatment and allow you to pay in monthly instalments over a time period to suit you.

Medical insurance

If you have private medical insurance you can get referred to a Healthshare Clinic for the very best treatment. Contact your insurance provider to pre-authorise your treatment today.

Complete our enquiry form