Our two feet combined contain nearly a quarter of the bones in our body. Along with numerous ligaments, muscles and nerves, and given how often we use our feet and ankles every day, it’s no surprise that problems are common.
Our ability to balance, stand and move all depend on our feet and ankles functioning properly. Any kind of problem with them, through injury or disease, can limit our normal activities.
If you’ve been struggling with a foot or ankle problem for any length of time, you will appreciate exactly how limiting it can be. Even fairly simple movements like walking up and down stairs can become a real challenge.
If your ankle joint is stiff, or you have severe pain in your foot, you may need to use a walking aid to help support you as you move around. If you’re a keen sportsperson, you may find yourself no longer able to compete at the level you’re used to.
Whatever your particular situation, we can help you to get back to doing those activities, you most enjoy. With fast access to an experienced Foot and Ankle Consultant, you’ll be able to talk through your symptoms and get advice about the best treatment options for you.
Our Foot and Ankle Consultants are experts in managing and treating all foot and ankle disorders. Some of the problems they are commonly asked to treat include:
Toe & forefoot:
- Toe deformities,
- Big toe pain – usually caused by arthritis in the joint (this is known as Hallux Rigidus),
- Forefoot pain,
- Bunions – bony protrusion on the side of your foot,
- Bursitis – inflammation of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion in the joint),
- Morton’s Neuroma – caused by irritation or damage to a nerve in your foot.
Midfoot & hindfoot:
- Midfoot pain,
- Plantar fasciitis – most often characterized by pain in your heel
- Achilles tendonitis – caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon, leading to pain along the back of the heel,
- Flat feet (“fallen arches”),
- Foot drop – Secondary to nerve injury/disease,
- High arch foot pain,
- Tendon disorders.
Ankle:
- Ankle sprains,
- Ankle pain,
- Ankle stiffness
- Ankle instability.
In addition to the above conditions, arthritis can occur in the feet or ankles. The most common type of arthritis in the UK is osteoarthritis, which causes the smooth joint surfaces to wear down more quickly than normal.
As the damaged surfaces rub against one another, they create friction in the joint, leading to pain and stiffness. While symptoms may only be relatively mild in the earlier stages of osteoarthritis, as the disease develops it can cause severe pain and stiffness.
Whether you’ve suffered a recent injury to your foot or have been struggling with an ankle sprain for longer than expected, it can be sensible to get expert help and treatment advice.
When you first visit with your Consultant, they will take a medical history and discuss your current symptoms with you. They will ask you some questions to help narrow possible causes down, such as:
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- Was there an obvious cause for them to start (for example, did you sprain your ankle while stepping off a kerb)?
- Do you have any pain in your foot or ankle? If so, where?
- What kind of pain is it? (For example, is it sharp or dull? Sporadic or constant) with you or sporadic?)
- Have you tried any treatments for it already?
- Are there any particular movements or actions that aggravate your symptoms?
As part of your consultation, they will carry out a clinical examination of your foot and ankle. This helps show your current levels of movement, stability, strength and flexibility in the joints and can demonstrate how your symptoms are affecting you.
Depending on your symptoms, medical history and clinical examination, you may need further tests to confirm a diagnosis and help assess the extent of any damage or disease.
Our comprehensive on-site imaging facilities include X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound, so we can easily arrange any of these for you if required.
Once your Consultant has confirmed the cause of your symptoms, a treatment plan can be made in discussion with you.
Many foot and ankle problems can be managed non-surgically, while other conditions will require an operation to successfully relieve your symptoms.
Non-surgical treatments may include physiotherapy, bracing/splinting of the foot or ankle, a cold compress using a cold compress, pain relief medication (analgesia) and injection of a corticosteroid in order to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Surgery may be carried out using traditional “open” surgery or by minimally invasive keyhole surgery known as arthroscopy.
The treatment you receive will be tailored to you and your specific requirements. Your Consultant will always discuss different treatment options with you, talking with you about any questions or concerns you may have.
They will clearly explain the results you should expect to see as a result of your treatment, your expected recovery time and any potential risks you should be aware of.
Our Foot and Ankle Consultants can help restore mobility, strength and function, so that you can get back to doing the things you enjoy, safely and free of pain and stiffness.
When you choose to visit us for any type of foot and ankle treatment, you will benefit from:
- Fast access to an expert: We can offer you quick, easy access to a foot and ankle specialist, who will assess, diagnose and then arrange any treatment required for you.
- Recommended by patients: In an independent survey, 98.2% of the people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family. We don’t take this for granted and are always looking to improve the quality of care we provide.
- Convenient appointments: We have a number of highly experienced Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeons working with us. This means that you’ll be able to schedule an appointment for a time that’s convenient for you.
- Supported by a wider healthcare team: Our Consultants are supported by a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, nurses and radiologists. Whether it’s your first visit with us or you’re coming to the end of your treatment, you are always assured of receiving the very highest level of care.
- Location: With the hospital sitting just off the M69 and M6 on the outskirts of Coventry, we’re within easy reach of Coventry as well as Nuneaton, Rugby and the surrounding areas.
- Free parking: Our private car park has 80 spaces, so you won’t need to worry about where to park when you visit with us. Just be sure to register your car with us at Reception when you arrive, and you won’t need to pay for parking.
- Personal help, just for you
We know how difficult it can be to cope with a foot or ankle problem. Whether you’re in pain, struggling with stiffness or are concerned about the shape of your toes, we are here to help.
There are good, effective treatments available for a wide range of foot and ankle injuries and conditions.
Whether you live in or around Coventry or will be travelling from further afield, book your appointment online today.
