Skip to main content
Foot and Ankle Pain
Clinics based in Leeds and Harrogate
Contact Mark
Book at Leeds Nuffield
Book at The Duchy
Book at The Spire Leeds / Harrogate

Foot and Ankle Pain

Injuries of the foot and ankle frequently stop us from enjoying life’s simple pleasures like a lazy sunday walk.  As a complicated part of the body with many small, intricate joints, the feet can present a diagnostic challenge requiring expert attention.

Mark deals with all types of foot and ankle problems and pathologies but below are more details on some common problems that may help you understand how he can help you better. 

Steve Backshall, Ankle fusion

Although not performed by Mark, watch below where Steve Backshall talks about his experiences with Ankle Fusion, he certainly hasn’t let it slow him down, a great example of what can achieved after suffering painful traumatic injuries. 

Common foot and ankle surgeries

Ankle Replacement / Fusion

Arthritis is a condition that causes damage to joint surfaces with the most common type being osteoarthritis, where there is gradual wear and tear of a joint. Some other types of arthritis are associated with inflammation of the joints which can eventually lead to severe joint damage. Arthritis eventually wears away the normal cartilage covering the surface of the joint, and the bone underneath becomes damaged. This causes pain and stiffness in the joint, which can interfere with normal activities.

Following an open discussion with Mr. Farndon and him assessing you fully a replacement or fusion maybe offered. 

1st MTPJ & Forefoot

The three main toe problems that can be resolved with foot surgery are:

  • Deformity
  • Pain in the toe joint
  • Metatarsalagia

Toe problems and toe deformities such as claw toe and hammer toe happen when the tendons that move the toes get too tight or out of balance. The affected toe can rub on other toes and on the inside of your shoe, causing pressure and pain (see figure 1).

Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis can damage the toe joints and this may make them come out of position (dislocate).

Sports Injuries

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, you may experience mild to severe pain. Other common symptoms include inflammation, tenderness, stiffness, loss of movement, weakness and bruising. If you have an open fracture, you may also experience blood loss and a high risk of infection.

The treatment you receive will depend on the type and extent of your injury. If possible, non-surgical treatments will normally be tried first, however severe injuries may require immediate surgery.

Arthroscopy & Cartilage Surgery

Ankle cartilage injuries are relatively common and can be caused by a range of different conditions or activities. Cartilage injuries can affect individuals differently depending on the severity of the injury and as a result treatment options also vary. Some common causes of ankle cartilage injuries are listed below, however regardless of why you are experiencing issues with your ankle, we recommend booking a consultation.

  • Circulatory disorders
  • Joint developmental disorders
  • Trauma due to rolling over on the joint or slipping
  • Arthritis
  • After an accident; symptoms may be evident, particularly for athletes

Ankle Replacement / Fusion

Arthritis is a condition that causes damage to joint surfaces with the most common type being osteoarthritis, where there is gradual wear and tear of a joint. Some other types of arthritis are associated with inflammation of the joints which can eventually lead to severe joint damage. Arthritis eventually wears away the normal cartilage covering the surface of the joint, and the bone underneath becomes damaged. This causes pain and stiffness in the joint, which can interfere with normal activities.

Following an open discussion with Mr Farndon and his assessing you fully a replacement or fusion may be offered. 

1st MTP Joint

The three main toe problems that can be resolved with foot surgery are:

  • Deformity
  • Pain in the toe joint
  • Metatarsalagia

Toe problems and toe deformities such as claw toe and hammer toe happen when the tendons that move the toes get too tight or out of balance. The affected toe can rub on other toes and on the inside of your shoe, causing pressure and pain (see figure 1).

Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis can damage the toe joints and this may make them come out of position (dislocate).

Sports Injuries

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, you may experience mild to severe pain. Other common symptoms include inflammation, tenderness, stiffness, loss of movement, weakness and bruising. If you have an open fracture, you may also experience blood loss and a high risk of infection.

The treatment you receive will depend on the type and extent of your injury. If possible, non-surgical treatments will normally be tried first, however severe injuries may require immediate surgery.

Arthroscopy & Cartilage

Ankle cartilage injuries are relatively common and can be caused by a range of different conditions or activities. Cartilage injuries can affect individuals differently depending on the severity of the injury and as a result treatment options also vary. Some common causes of ankle cartilage injuries are listed below, however, regardless of why you are experiencing issues with your ankle, we recommend booking a consultation.

  • Circulatory disorders
  • Joint developmental disorders
  • Trauma due to rolling over on the joint or slipping
  • Arthritis
  • After an accident; symptoms may be evident, particularly for athletes

Understanding your joints

The Foot and Ankle

The foot and ankle in the human body work together to provide balance, stability, movement, and propulsion.

This complex anatomy consists of:

  • 26 bones
  • 33 joints
  • Muscles
  • Tendons
  • Ligaments
  • Blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue

In order to understand conditions that affect the foot and ankle, it is important to understand the normal anatomy of the foot and ankle.

Biomechanics of Foot and Ankle

    Biomechanics is a term to describe movement of the body. The ankle joint by itself permits two movements:

    • Plantar flexion: Pointing the foot downward.  This movement is normally accompanied by inversion of the foot.
    • Dorsiflexion: Raising the foot upward. This movement is normally accompanied by eversion of the foot.

    The foot (excluding the toes) also permits two movements:

    • Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.
    • Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward

    The toes allow four different movements:

    • Plantar flexion: Bending the toes towards the sole of the foot
    • Dorsiflexion: Bending the toes towards the top of the foot
    • Abduction: Spreading the toes apart. This movement normally accompanies plantar dorsiflexion.
    • Adduction: Bringing the toes together. This movement normally accompanies plantar flexion.

    Ankle

    The ankle consists of three bones attached by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that connect the foot to the leg.

    In the lower leg are two bones called the tibia (shin bone) and the fibula. These bones articulate (connect) to the Talus or ankle bone at the tibiotalar joint (ankle joint) allowing the foot to move up and down.

    • Tibia (shin bone)
    • Fibula
    • Talus
    • Lateral Malleolus
    • Medial Malleolus

    The bony protrusions that we can see and feel on the ankle are:

    • Lateral Malleolus:  this is the outer ankle bone formed by the distal end of the fibula.
    • Medial Malleolus: this is the inner ankle bone formed by the distal end of the tibia.

      Hind + Mid Foot

      The foot can be divided into three anatomical sections called the hind foot, mid foot, and forefoot. The hind foot consists of the Talus bone or ankle bone and the calcaneous bone or heel bone. The calcaneous bone is the largest bone in your foot while the talus bone is the highest bone in your foot. The calcaneous joins the Talus bone at the subtalar joint enabling the foot to rotate at the ankle.

      The hind foot connects the mid foot to the ankle at the transverse tarsal joint.

      • Talus
      • Calcaneus

      The mid foot contains five tarsal bones: the navicular bone, the cuboid bone, and 3 cuneiform bones. It connects the forefoot to the hind foot with muscles and ligaments. The main ligament is the plantar fascia ligament. The mid foot is responsible for forming the arches of your feet and acts as a shock absorber when walking or running.

      The mid foot connects to the forefoot at the five tars metatarsal joints.

      • Navicular
      • Cuboid
      • Cuneiform Bones

          Forefoot

          The forefoot consists of your toe bones, called phalanges, and metatarsal bones, the long bones in your feet. Phalanges connect to metatarsals at the ball of the foot by joints called phalange metatarsal joints. Each toe has 3 phalange bones and 2 joints, while the big toe contains two phalange bones, two joints, and two tiny, round sesamoid bones that enable the toe to move up and down. Sesamoid bones are bones that develop inside of a tendon over a bony prominence.

          The first metatarsal bone connected to the big toe is the shortest and thickest of the metatarsals and is the location for the attachment of several tendons. This bone is important for its role in propulsion and weight bearing.

          • Phalanges
          • Metatarsal

            Cartilage

            In the ankle, the articular cartilage is found on the talus bone, which sits between the tibia and fibula, and on the ends of the tibia and fibula. The cartilage in the ankle joint provides a cushion for the bones to move against each other and helps to distribute weight evenly across the joint.

            Damage to the articular cartilage in the ankle can occur due to injury, overuse or age. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that can affect the ankle joint, it is characterised by the degeneration of the articular cartilage which can cause pain, stiffness and a limited range of motion.

            Depending on your age and the severity of the damage to the cartilage surface, techniques to repair the area and regenerate a sudo cartilaginous surface are possible.

            Tendons and Ligaments

            Our feet and ankle bones are held in place and supported by various soft tissues.

            • Tendons: Tendons are soft tissue that connects muscles to bones to provide support.  The Achilles tendon also called the heel cord, is the largest and strongest tendon in the body.  Located on the back of the lower leg it wraps around the calcaneus, or heel bone.  When inflamed it causes a very painful condition called Achilles tendonitis and can make walking almost impossible due to the pain.
            • Ligaments: Ligaments are strong rope like tissue that connects bones to other bones and help hold tendons in place providing stability to the joints.  The plantar fascia is the longest ligament in the foot, originating at the calcaneous, heel bone, and continuing along the bottom surface of the foot to the forefoot.  It is responsible for the arches of the foot and provides shock absorption.  A common cause of heel pain in adults, plantar fasciitis can occur when repetitive micro tears occur in the plantar fascia from overuse.  Ankle sprains, the most commonly reported injury to the foot and ankle area, involve ligament strain, and usually occur to the talo-fibular ligament and the calcaneo-fibular ligament.
              Biomechanics of Foot and Ankle

              Biomechanics is a term to describe movement of the body. The ankle joint by itself permits two movements:

              • Plantar flexion: Pointing the foot downward.  This movement is normally accompanied by inversion of the foot.
              • Dorsiflexion: Raising the foot upward. This movement is normally accompanied by eversion of the foot.

              The foot (excluding the toes) also permits two movements:

              • Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.
              • Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward

              The toes allow four different movements:

              • Plantar flexion: Bending the toes towards the sole of the foot
              • Dorsiflexion: Bending the toes towards the top of the foot
              • Abduction: Spreading the toes apart. This movement normally accompanies plantar dorsiflexion.
              • Adduction: Bringing the toes together. This movement normally accompanies plantar flexion.
              Ankle Joint

              The ankle consists of three bones attached by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that connect the foot to the leg.

              In the lower leg are two bones called the tibia (shin bone) and the fibula. These bones articulate (connect) to the Talus or ankle bone at the tibiotalar joint (ankle joint) allowing the foot to move up and down.

              • Tibia (shin bone)
              • Fibula
              • Talus
              • Lateral Malleolus
              • Medial Malleolus

              The bony protrusions that we can see and feel on the ankle are:

              • Lateral Malleolus:  this is the outer ankle bone formed by the distal end of the fibula.
              • Medial Malleolus: this is the inner ankle bone formed by the distal end of the tibia.
              Hind + Mid Foot

              The foot can be divided into three anatomical sections called the hind foot, mid foot, and forefoot. The hind foot consists of the Talus bone or ankle bone and the calcaneous bone or heel bone. The calcaneous bone is the largest bone in your foot while the talus bone is the highest bone in your foot. The calcaneous joins the Talus bone at the subtalar joint enabling the foot to rotate at the ankle.

              The hind foot connects the mid foot to the ankle at the transverse tarsal joint.

              • Talus
              • Calcaneus

              The mid foot contains five tarsal bones: the navicular bone, the cuboid bone, and 3 cuneiform bones. It connects the forefoot to the hind foot with muscles and ligaments. The main ligament is the plantar fascia ligament. The mid foot is responsible for forming the arches of your feet and acts as a shock absorber when walking or running.

              The mid foot connects to the forefoot at the five tars metatarsal joints.

              • Navicular
              • Cuboid
              • Cuneiform Bones
              Forefoot

              The forefoot consists of your toe bones, called phalanges, and metatarsal bones, the long bones in your feet. Phalanges connect to metatarsals at the ball of the foot by joints called phalange metatarsal joints. Each toe has 3 phalange bones and 2 joints, while the big toe contains two phalange bones, two joints, and two tiny, round sesamoid bones that enable the toe to move up and down. Sesamoid bones are bones that develop inside of a tendon over a bony prominence.

              The first metatarsal bone connected to the big toe is the shortest and thickest of the metatarsals and is the location for the attachment of several tendons. This bone is important for its role in propulsion and weight bearing.

              • Phalanges
              • Metatarsal
              Cartilage

              In the ankle, the articular cartilage is found on the talus bone, which sits between the tibia and fibula, and on the ends of the tibia and fibula. The cartilage in the ankle joint provides a cushion for the bones to move against each other and helps to distribute weight evenly across the joint.

              Damage to the articular cartilage in the ankle can occur due to injury, overuse or age. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that can affect the ankle joint, it is characterised by the degeneration of the articular cartilage which can cause pain, stiffness and a limited range of motion.

              Depending on your age and the severity of the damage to the cartilage surface, techniques to repair the area and regenerate a sudo cartilaginous surface are possible.

              Tendons and Ligaments

              Our feet and ankle bones are held in place and supported by various soft tissues.

              • Tendons: Tendons are soft tissue that connects muscles to bones to provide support.  The Achilles tendon also called the heel cord, is the largest and strongest tendon in the body.  Located on the back of the lower leg it wraps around the calcaneus, or heel bone.  When inflamed it causes a very painful condition called Achilles tendonitis and can make walking almost impossible due to the pain.
              • Ligaments: Ligaments are strong rope like tissue that connects bones to other bones and help hold tendons in place providing stability to the joints.  The plantar fascia is the longest ligament in the foot, originating at the calcaneous, heel bone, and continuing along the bottom surface of the foot to the forefoot.  It is responsible for the arches of the foot and provides shock absorption.  A common cause of heel pain in adults, plantar fasciitis can occur when repetitive micro tears occur in the plantar fascia from overuse.  Ankle sprains, the most commonly reported injury to the foot and ankle area, involve ligament strain, and usually occur to the talo-fibular ligament and the calcaneo-fibular ligament.