Expert help for your foot and ankle condition
A foot and ankle combined contain 28 bones and an incredible number of ligaments, tendons and joints, which all work together to give a large amount of mobility and function. Given the complex anatomy and highly varied functions involved, it’s no surprise that a structural or functional problem in any part of the foot or ankle can have a significant effect on our ability to move freely and easily.
When you visit Bath Clinic for help with a foot or ankle concern, you will have access to some of the most experienced Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeons in the country for best-in-class investigation, diagnosis and treatment.
Our leading experts have together helped many thousands of adults of all ages, abilities and activity levels to get out of foot and ankle pain and back to better mobility and function once again. They would be delighted to help you too.
Trauma, ‘wear and tear’ degeneration and disease can all affect how well the foot and ankle are able to handle these loads and forces. Sporting injuries to the ankle are particularly common, as are foot conditions like fallen arches or ingrowing toenails.
With many people increasing their activity and fitness levels during the recent pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of referrals for injuries related to these activities.
Problems can occur in the toes, the midfoot, or the hindfoot (including the ankle). We have listed some of the common reasons people come to us for help below. Do you have any of them?
Forefoot problems (including toes):
Midfoot problems:
Hindfoot problems (including the ankle):
Arthritis causing pain can develop in any part of the foot or ankle. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause a breakdown in the cartilage lining the joint surfaces with resultant inflammation and pain. Given the large number of joints in the ankle and foot, arthritis can cause significant problems with function and mobility.
With so many different conditions and symptoms possible in the foot and ankle, it can be a sensible course of action to see a specialist for assessment and advice if you have any concerns.
It is very easy to arrange an appointment at Bath Clinic with an experienced Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon. With appointments available throughout the week, you will be able to book your visit for a time that is most convenient for you.
Any type of treatment for a foot or ankle problem has two aims:
It is important to know that even though this page is about Foot and Ankle Surgery in Bath, and that you will be seeing a Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon when you visit, many foot and ankle problems can be treated without the need for any form of surgery. Conservative (non-surgical) treatments will often be used first as these can be very effective, particularly for less extensive damage.
If you are overweight it means that your weight-bearing joints, including the feet and ankles, knees and hips, have more load placed on them. Losing weight will reduce this load and may help to improve any pain you have in your feet or ankles.
For pain caused by arthritis, muscular weakness or previous surgery, physiotherapy may be helpful. It is important to do the correct exercises and stretches to avoid causing more damage, and to do them at a sensible pace so that your body has time to adapt and adjust to any new demands being placed on it. Our dedicated on-site Physiotherapy team will work closely with you and your consultant to tailor a programme to safely fit your specific needs and current abilities.
Custom orthotics (insoles) can be helpful to correct the structural and functional characteristics of your feet when needed. Your consultant can arrange for you to meet with an experienced orthotist to help with this if required.
Pain relief medication such as anti-inflammatories may help to reduce pain and inflammation. Where your pain isn’t being suitably managed by over-the-counter medication, your consultant may prescribe stronger painkillers where appropriate. If foot or ankle pain is affecting your sleep, there are some medicines that can help with both pain relief and sleep.
A steroid injection may provide some degree of pain relief, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. In the foot and ankle, steroid injections are frequently used and can be very effective at giving you a period of time with less pain. The effects of this injection can wear off over time and repeat injections may become less effective.
If your symptoms are not improved by the above non-operative interventions, then surgery may be an option. There are a multitude of operations that would be specifically tailored to treat the needs of the individual. An example of the surgical options available for a patient with ankle arthritis is outlined below.
Ankle arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) can be helpful when treating ankle conditions such as treating a small area of cartilage damage and bone spurs. As well as giving your consultant a clear view of the inside of the joint, damaged cartilage and scar tissue causing impingement can be removed. This minimally invasive surgery means smaller cuts, reduced pain and bleeding, less visible scarring, and often a faster recovery.
Where the ankle has been more extensively damaged by osteoarthritis and symptoms such as pain are significant, there are other surgical options available. These involve either fusing or replacing the ankle joint.
This procedure removes the arthritic joint, and then permanently joins the bones together by screwing them in place. This fixes (fuses) the joint in position. This is a very effective procedure in reducing pain and improving mobility.
The ankle joint can be replaced (such like a hip or knee replacement) in certain patients with ankle arthritis. The allows movement to be maintained in the ankle but is not suitable for all patients.
Successfully managing foot and ankle conditions depends on getting an accurate diagnosis of the cause of any symptoms. With fast access to experienced surgeons, you will be expertly guided about the best treatment at the right time for your symptoms and condition. And this all starts with your first consultation…
These questions can help your consultant to differentiate possible causes of your symptoms.
They will then carry out a detailed physical examination of your foot, ankle, leg, knee and hip. Even though you may only have symptoms in your foot or ankle, it is important to consider the joints above as they can sometimes lead to problems further down the leg.
You may be referred for additional investigations to help with diagnosis. This will often be an X-ray of the pelvis, but an ultrasound or MRI scan can also be useful when querying soft tissue problems. Our comprehensive diagnostic capabilities include on-site X-ray, ultrasound and CT and MRI scanners, so we can arrange any of these easily for you if required. On-site radiologists provide rapid reporting so that the results are back with your consultant sooner.
Once a diagnosis has been made, your consultant will meet with you again to discuss the results and to talk through suitable treatment options. It may be that referral to another specialist is needed. For example, if it is found that the pain in your ankle is being caused by a biomechanical problem in your hip or knee, you will be referred to a hip or knee surgeon.
If you have any concerns about your foot or ankle, whether in-growing toenails or severe arthritis in the ankle, we can help. For peace of mind and expert care sooner, why not book your appointment today?
Bath Clinic does not have paediatric facilities, therefore we cannot accept any appointments for those under 18 years of age – thank you for your understanding.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to Bath Clinic and helping to get you back to better foot and ankle health again as soon as possible.
