The advice on this page can help you to manage your foot and ankle condition.
The majority of musculoskeletal conditions get better within six to 12 weeks. Sometimes they can persist longer, but this doesn’t mean there is something seriously wrong.
However, rarely, musculoskeletal conditions can be caused by something more serious. It is important for you to know when to seek further help.
We would recommend you get checked out if you have foot and ankle pain and the following below symptoms. These are called red flags and may indicate a more serious problem that requires:
- medical assessment by your GP
- urgent medical assessment, such as calling 111 for urgent care that is not life or limb-threatening
Symptoms that are present after trauma
If your symptoms are caused by a recent traumatic incident (for example a fall or a football tackle) and you have any of the following symptoms:
- Extensive bruising and/ or swelling
- Discolouration e.g. your foot looks pale, blue or red
- Severe pain and very limited movement
- Joint deformity e.g. foot looks like it is in the wrong place
- New lumps and bumps that appear after the trauma
- Great difficulty putting weight through your leg
- Numbness/ tingling into your foot after trauma
- Feeling of instability
Please note: If you have a known diagnosis of osteoporosis (low bone density), a small amount of force may cause problems that require medical assessment.
Symptoms where no trauma was involved
If you symptoms were not caused by trauma, and you have any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden loss of active movement with or without pain
- Redness, heat and swelling of the joint/ surrounding area
- Increasing numbers of joints that are painful and/or stiff
- Fever or generally feeling unwell at same time as your foot pain developed
- Unexplained numbness/ tingling into your foot
- Constant pain which does not change with rest or activity
- Significant worsening pain at night
- Unexplained weight loss and/ or a previous history of cancer
- Unexplained lumps and bumps that appear or are changing/ growing
- Difficulty lifting the front part of your foot/ catching or dragging your foot when walking
Special attention should be taken if you have:
- a history of long-term steroid or immunosuppressive drug use
- recent joint replacement
- recent steroid injection
- rheumatoid arthritis or other joint disease
- recent infection
- intravenous drug use
- alcohol misuse