The foot and ankle form a complex system which consists of:
- 28 bones
- 33 joints
- 112 ligaments
These are all controlled by 34 muscles.
The foot and ankle joints function together as a mobile platform to help stabilise the lower limb when:
- standing
- walking
- running
- jumping
See our section on foot and ankle anatomy for more information.
What can I do to help myself if I have foot or ankle pain?
There are lots of things you can do to help manage your symptoms. The best person to help is you!
Changes in lifestyle and modifying your activities can reduce your symptoms and stop pain getting worse. See our self-management section for more useful information on how to manage musculoskeletal foot and ankle pain.
Common foot and ankle conditions
Common causes of musculoskeletal related pains tend to originate from the:
- bones
- ligaments
- tendons
- muscles
These symptoms tend to settle with time and good self-management.
These pains may be a result of an injury or a flare up of a longer standing condition. Following a consultation with your MSK Health Professional, you may have been directed to condition-specific information.
You can find information below to help with managing your foot and ankle condition, including educational resources and exercises.
Is your pain coming from somewhere else?
Pain in the foot and ankle can on occasions be a result of pain elsewhere in the body. This can be the:
- lower back
- hip
- knee
Commonly, this is known as referred pain. Your MSK health practitioner or GP can:
- advise on how to manage this
- make any appropriate referrals
Further information
For more information, see our sections on: