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Feet and ankles

Foot and ankle problems are common and can cause pain, swelling, or discomfort. They happen because of injury, footwear, or health issues. Taking care of your feet and getting help early can keep them healthy.

Morton's neuroma

A neuroma is a painful condition often referred to as a pinched nerve, swollen nerve or nerve tumour. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which happens at the base of your third and fourth toes.

Achilles tendon rupture

Your Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscle to your heel. When some or all of the tendon's fibres tear, we call this a rupture. This often happens after a sudden force on the foot or ankle, such as suddenly breaking into a sprint while playing sport. It makes it difficult or impossible to stand on tiptoes.

Achilles tendinopathy

Your Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscle to your heel. Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in this tendon. It is common in people who play sports that involve jumping and running.

Broken foot (fractured metatarsal)

The long, straight bones in the middle of your foot are your metatarsal bones. They can break from sudden injury or repeated stress over time.

Broken toe (fractured toe)

A broken toe (fractured toe) means one of the bones in your toe has a crack or a break. Most broken toes heal with simple care at home, but a severe break may need medical help.

Bunions

A bunion (also known as hallux valgus) is a painful bony lump at the base of your big toe.

Corns

A corn is an area of thickened skin that forms at pressure points over bony areas of your foot.

Flat feet

If you have flat feet (pes planus), the arches in your feet are lower and disappear completely when you are standing. This can cause foot, ankle, knee and low back pain.

Foot orthotics

Foot orthotics are shoe inserts that support your foot. They aim to reduce any foot and leg pains.

Fungal nail infections

Fungal nail infections are common as you get older. They happen when fungus infects a fingernail, toenail or the skin under the nail (the nail bed). Fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged.

Hammertoe

If you have a hammertoe, it means one or more of your toes have bent abnormally. Hammertoe can develop in any of your toes, but it usually affects the middle 3 toes. Most often, it affects the second toe. It tends to run in families.

Broken ankle (fractured ankle)

Your ankle joint is made up of the bones of your lower leg (tibia and fibula) which fit over your talus bone. The most common place for the ankle to break (or fracture) is at the ends of your tibia (medial malleolus) and fibula (lateral malleolus).

Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail happens when part of your nail pierces the skin. This can often lead to infection. If an ingrown toenail is infected the toe will be red, inflamed and painful.

Mallet toe

If you have mallet toe, one or more of your toes bends down abnormally from the joint closest to the tip of your toe. Mallet toe can affect all toes, except your little toe. It can be painful and disabling.

Overlapping toes

Overlapping toes are toes that turn in and lie on top of the toe next to them. They are also known as overriding toes. This condition can affect any toe, but it is most common in the second and little toes. If it is not corrected, it can cause extreme irritation, pain and calluses.

Pain in the ball of your foot (metatarsalgia)

Pain in the ball of your foot (on the sole, near your toes) is called metatarsalgia. It can be caused by several different conditions.

Sprained ankle

Sprained ankles are common injuries. They usually happen after you have twisted or rolled your ankle.

Stress fractures of the foot and shin bone

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone often caused by overuse. Your foot or shin bone is a common place to have a stress fracture.

Warts and verrucas

Warts are small rough lumps or growths on your skin. Verrucas are warts on the soles of your feet. Warts are usually harmless and in most cases they eventually go away on their own.