Body region
Understanding the foot and ankle and finding the right starting point
A familiar walk is becoming harder. Your shoe presses on a spot you had not noticed before, or you need a few steps after getting up before your foot feels freer again. You may be able to point to exactly where it hurts without knowing whether it comes from a tendon, a joint or the sole of your foot. You do not have to work out that distinction yourself before a consultation.
Open individual sections or all the details on this page.
When you need prompt help
An injury with a visible deformity, an open wound or an inability to bear weight needs immediate medical assessment. A foot that suddenly becomes cold, pale or numb may indicate an acute circulation problem. In such an emergency, call 112 and do not wait for a reply from the online reception.
A snapping sound at the back of the lower leg followed by new loss of strength also needs prompt assessment. If you have diabetes, new wounds, marked redness or swelling of the foot should be assessed promptly by a doctor, even if there is little pain. These examples do not replace a full examination and are not a checklist that can reliably give the all-clear.
Understanding
A closer look
At OrthoCoast in Wolgast, we want to work with you to understand what has changed and which next step makes sense. This overview guides you to the relevant information. If your symptoms have not yet been explained, start with ‘Foot and heel pain’. If you already know a diagnosis or want to understand a recommended form of care, you will find dedicated information for that too.
How the foot and ankle work together
When we walk, the foot takes our body weight, adapts to the surface and helps us push off. Many joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments work together. The ankle connects the lower leg to the foot; neighbouring joints help us cope with uneven ground. The Achilles tendon transfers force from the calf muscles to the heel. Under the sole, a strong band of tissue, the plantar fascia, supports the longitudinal arch. The Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are connected through the heel bone and surrounding connective tissues. The calf muscles, heel and sole therefore form a functional relationship that we take into account during examination.
Because these structures share the load, the location of pain is an important clue, but not yet a diagnosis. A change in how the foot rolls through a step can also place demands on other areas. Please tell us if you have been walking differently since your symptoms began, choosing shorter routes or noticing new problems on the other side. These observations help us focus the examination on your actual situation.
If you can mainly describe the pain
On the ‘Foot and heel pain’ page, we explain how symptoms under the heel, at the back of the heel, in the forefoot or at the ankle can differ. The first focus is medical assessment. Not all heel pain is caused by a heel spur, and not every painful ankle needs the same examination.
It helps to know how the pain started. Did you twist your ankle or do something unusually demanding? Are the first steps after rest particularly uncomfortable? Does the pain increase during a longer walk? A change in footwear, work or training may also be important to discuss. You do not need to keep a detailed diary. A few concrete examples usually tell us more than the most precise medical label.
Read more about the forefoot and toes
If the ball of your foot hurts as you roll through a step, your smaller toes press against your shoe or the same area of callus keeps causing problems, a focused assessment is worthwhile. The following pages explore each of these issues in detail and explain when skin changes should be examined early.
Further information
If you already know the diagnosis
For symptoms at the back of the heel or along the Achilles tendon, the ‘Achilles tendon symptoms’ page provides further information. There, we explain why pain directly at the tendon attachment may be assessed differently from symptoms higher up. This distinction is also important when choosing exercises. An exercise that helped someone else is therefore not automatically suitable for your situation.
If your report mentions ‘plantar fasciitis’, this concerns the band of tissue under the foot. The page about this condition explains typical symptoms, the often prolonged course and non-surgical options. You can also learn why a heel spur visible on an X-ray does not, on its own, determine treatment. Please bring any existing report; we want to understand with you which of its findings actually explain your symptoms.
If an insole or orthosis has been recommended
A support or aid should fulfil a specific purpose. For example, it may alter loading or limit a movement. The appropriate option depends on the clinical question and how you manage with it in everyday life. An insole is therefore not suitable merely because its packaging names the same symptom.
On ‘Orthoses and aids’, we explain the process from medical assessment to choosing a suitable aid and reviewing its use in daily life. Bring existing insoles, any orthosis you already use and, if possible, the shoes you wear with them. This allows us to discuss what has helped so far, what causes pressure and which activities remain difficult. Both the medical assessment and individual fitting by the relevant supplier are part of your care.
Which examination may help you move forward
We begin with your account and a physical examination. Depending on your symptoms, we may assess movement, weight-bearing capacity, painful areas and your walking pattern. The aim is not to collect as many findings as possible. We want to establish what information is needed for the next decision.
X-rays can answer questions about bones and joint alignment. Ultrasound can show tendons or other soft tissues when appropriate for the question being asked. Further imaging is used if it can clarify an additional relevant question. We arrange MRI or CT scans externally when needed and consider existing images and reports as part of the assessment. You do not need new scans simply because you are changing practices.
What to expect and next steps
Preparing to contact us for a consultation
Make a note of what you would like to do more easily again: walk a particular distance, stand at work or use stairs safely. Existing reports, access to images and an up-to-date medication list are useful. Also mention previous injuries, operations, diabetes or known problems with circulation or sensation. This information can influence which examination or care is appropriate for you.
‘Appointments & enquiries’ takes you to the appropriate contact route. Describe the affected area and when the symptoms started. Treatment that has already been recommended is distinguished from an initial assessment appointment. If our online contact options do not fit your concern, please discuss it with us by phone.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know which structure in my foot is painful?
No. Point to or describe the area and mention situations in which symptoms occur. Identifying whether a joint, tendon or another structure is involved is part of the medical examination.
Do I need to buy new shoes or insoles before my appointment?
That is not a requirement. Your existing shoes and aids may be useful for the assessment. Any new provision should have a clear purpose and match your findings.
Does osteoporosis belong under this body region?
Osteoporosis affects the skeleton and is therefore explained in a separate section. A foot fracture may be a reason to consider bone health, but it does not on its own establish osteoporosis.
Where can I find information about sports-related symptoms?
Our ‘Tendons and sports orthopaedics’ specialist section explains how activity demands and your ability to tolerate them are considered together. There are also dedicated pages on conditions affecting the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
Your next step
