Ankle pain can affect people of all ages and may develop following injury, overuse, or changes in foot and lower limb mechanics. The ankle joint plays an important role in movement and weight transfer during walking, running, and standing.
Pain around the ankle may occur at the front, sides, or back of the joint and may be associated with stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility.
Common Symptoms
People experiencing ankle pain may notice:
Pain around the front or sides of the ankle
Discomfort during walking or running
Stiffness in the ankle joint
Swelling around the ankle
Reduced ankle mobility
Pain when pushing off during walking
Symptoms may develop gradually or follow an injury
Possible Causes
Ankle pain can occur for several different reasons. Common causes include:
Achilles tendinopathy
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Overpronation affecting ankle stability
Joint irritation or inflammation
Previous ankle injury affecting joint mechanics
Foot posture and lower limb alignment can also influence how forces are transmitted through
the ankle joint during walking
Assessment and Diagnosis
At Absolute Footcare, ankle pain is assessed through a detailed gait and biomechanical assessment.
This allows us to evaluate how the foot and ankle function during walking and identify mechanical factors that may be contributing to increased stress on the ankle joint.
We use a Footscan pressure plate system to analyse how pressure is distributed across the foot during walking and how the ankle moves throughout the gait cycle.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the underlying cause identified during your assessment.
Possible treatments may include:
Custom Orthotics
Rehabilitation exercises
Shockwave therapy
Biomechanical and Gait analysis
Footwear Advice
Steroid Injection
Book a Gait and Biomechanical Assessment
If you are experiencing ongoing foot pain, the best first step is to book a gait and biomechanical assessment so the underlying cause can be identified.