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Foot or Ankle pain?

Get back to living life pain free

“Very professional staff, very polite and explain everything to you about the treatment. I would recommend this clinic to everyone.”

Dr. Bryan Scotson Smith

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5 Star rating on Trusted Practitioner.

ABOUT FOOT & ANKLE PAIN

We have seen over 25,000 appointments. We can help.

Everyday we hear things from our first-time patients like “walking is no longer a pleasure” or “I’m no longer the runner I used to be”.  These patients have often been struggling to get rid of the pain for years.

As Foot and Ankle Specialists, in over 25,000 appointments we have had the privilege of helping people overcome their foot and ankle problems, from simple injuries to chronic complex conditions.  

Our national reputation means we regularly receive referrals for people who haven’t been able to be treated successfully elsewhere.

We are extremely proud to work regularly with veterans referred to us through the medical division of Help for Heroes, due to the confidence they have in the clinic from the outcomes that we achieve.

Patients often describe their foot or ankle pain using words such as stabbing, aching, weakness, burning, tingling, tenderness, sharp, numbness, joint stiffness, walking on a pebble or like a sock rucking up under my foot.

For some, their foot or ankle may hurt when they first stand up, whilst for others it may flare up after walking or standing all the time.

The pain may be in their toes, the ball, arch or heel, across the top of the foot or in the ankle, but for all it is a frustration that they want gone.

Can’t find the specialist help or treatment you need to resolve your foot or ankle pain successfully?

Have you given up hope and worried this is the way it’s always going to be?

Picked up a new niggle and want to stop it developing into something worse?

Each patient is different.  Every treatment plan is bespoke.

With over 53 main causes of heel and foot pain alone, including bursitis, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis or morton’s neuroma, to name but a few, before we even begin to look at the ankle, it is extremely important that treatment plans are bespoke, as what works for one will not necessarily work for another, as there are so many combinations of underlying issues and causes.

Foot and ankle pain is very complex and getting the right diagnosis is crucial for people who want the right treatment, to get them back on their feet and doing the things that they love again.

We are a clinic with a difference…

As a leading centre for foot and ankle pain we achieve outstanding results with our 3 Step Foot & Ankle Pain Programme…

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INVESTIGATING

Expert Foot & Ankle Pain Assessment is carried out to fully understand the problem including where appropriate:

  • Full comprehensive history taking
  • Range of motion test
  • Neurological lower limb test
  • Gait Analysis
  • Test for mobilisation and manipulation therapy
  • Test for suitability of fascial manipulation of the lower limb
  • Test whether Shockwave therapy is appropriate
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TREAT
A personalised treatment plan is followed, bespoke to you, using the latest advanced techniques that have been clinically proven to work.
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MONITORING AND STRENGTHENING.
Monitoring progress is essential.  We will constantly evaluate progress to ensure the best outcome. Our specialists discuss cases with each other at a weekly clinical case study progress meeting, to ensure each patient receives the best care.  Structures within the foot and ankle are also strengthened, as we don’t want this to be a short term fix where the case flares up a few months down the line.  Our approach is to treat the condition for the long term, not just as a short term solution.

Leading technology….

As a centre of excellence, our experienced clinicians have the leading technologies at their disposal to treat your condition. Each works in a different way, targeting different issues.

Super Inductive System

This works by playing an anti-inflammatory role, by reducing the chronic stage inflammation. It causes the secretion of analgesic opioids by stimulating nerve endings and it also reduces pain messages sent to the brain.

Focused Shockwave System

This uses pro inflammatories, which stimulate the cell activity required for acute inflammation which is the natural healing process within the body.

Laser System

Laser is used for issues such as knee tendinopathy, by reducing inflammation and thereby reducing pain.

Patient stories

Gill’s Story

Gill had been suffering with chronic pain for over 3 years due to sciatica, to the point she required the use of a walking stick for mobility. Gill received a course of specialised treatment at the clinic and is now stick free!

Lucy’s story

Lucy was diagnosed with a Plantar tear over 2 years ago, this then caused her pain in the achilles tendon. Running became impossible with both injuries at the same time. Lucy received a bespoke course of treatment at the clinic.

Naomi’s story

Naomi was training for a half marathon when she developed a sensation under the ball of her foot which quickly developed into a pain that stopped her from running. We diagnosed a Mortons Neuroma and gave her a specialist course of treatment at the clinic to resolve the issue.

Fiona’s Story

Fiona was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 25 years ago and she came looking for relief from the MS pain. She had been told nothing could be done, but at night her feet were burning. Now in her words they are normal again and says “I think more people should know about this treatment!”

Michael’s story

Michael was suffering with pain in his feet and ankles and up his leg. He came to us wanting orthotics having used them for many years, but following treatment with us he is pain free. “The treatment has been revolutionary for me. I don’t get pain now. I’m not limited by pain in my feet anymore.”

Merilyn’s Story

Merilyn had been previously diagnosed with early on set arthritis. Daily activities had become extremely painful. She was suffering with pain in her big toe joint, to the point she was changing how she walked. Her pain has now disappeared following treatment. In her words it has been ‘nothing short of amazing’.

Here is what some of our patients say…

Looking for info? Here are some helpful videos and articles…

What is Shockwave therapy (rESWT)? and when is it used?

QUICK and EASY Mortons Neuroma stretch and exercise to do at home

Mortons Neuroma. BURNING, TINGLING, NUMBNESS sensations in the foot?

How to tape an ankle..properly!

Mortons Neuroma INJECTIONS, SURGERY and other TREATMENT essential facts in a QUICK 2 minute video.

Frequently asked questions

What causes foot or ankle pain?

There are too many foot conditions to list them all but some of the most common conditions are:

  • Heel spurs and nerve entrapments
  • Mortons Neuroma
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Metatarsalgia – pain across balls of the feet
  • Shin splints – pain along the front of the shin
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Plantar tear (plantar plate injury)
  • Sporting or running foot and ankle injuries

With over 200 muscles, ligaments and tendons, 35 joints and thousands of nerve endings, in each foot and leg, each patient and case is different and it is therefore important that plans are tailored specifically to you.

Do we treat sports or running injuries?

Yes, absolutely.  Please go to our sports injury page for more information.

Do you treat pain in the toe?

Yes. Pain in the toe, quite often pain in the big toe, is something we see regularly.

Hallux rigidus, hallux limitus, turf toe, morton’s toe, arthritic toes are all common reasons of pain in the toe.

What is tendon and ligament rehabilitation?

These are comprehensive, structured programmes, tailored to you, to repair and strengthen damaged ligaments, tendons and associated muscular or skeletal structures in the foot or ankle.  When required, these are essential to achieving positive long term outcomes.

What are neurological lower limb tests?

These are non invasive clinical tests to look for abnormalities in nerve function.  Although neurological is in the title, we do not test the brain directly.  We are testing the nerves in the lower limb to make sure they are functioning correctly.

What is EMS Radial Shockwave Therapy?

EMS Radial Shockwave is the industry leading technology for the treatment of chronic tendon damage.  As a leading Foot & Ankle clinic we have invested in this leading technology due to it’s proven strong clinical outcomes.

Employed by many of the worlds leading sports industries including the Olympics, Premiership Football and International Rugby Union, EMS Radial Shockwave Therapy can provide quick and effective pain relief and stimulate initial healing.  It is important it is used alongside rehabilitation programmes to maintain a long lasting positive outcome.  The Shockwave treatment can provide pain relief in the short term to enable you to return to activities comfortably, in on average 6 weeks.  Three treatment sessions are required. You can read more on our Shockwave treatment

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are custom made insoles, or off the shelf insoles, that provide support and stability. In turn they can help relieve pain and prevent injuries. Our podiatrist can advise on the most suitable type for your problem, after a biomechanical assessment. We will also investigate your body’s ability to fix itself first. For example, it could be that manipulation techniques could be used to improve function and relieve foot and leg pain, thereby negating the need for orthotics. Where orthotics are required, to ensure they stay current with your body’s changing needs, we will put together a rehabilitation plan that is tailor made for you. Read more on our orthotics page

What is Foot Manipulation and Mobilisation?

Foot Manipulation and Mobilisation works by relieving pain and improving the mobility and congruency of joints in the feet, which in turn allows muscles to work more efficiently around those joints.  It is a hands on highly skilled treatment that is extremely effective.

What is Fascial Manipulation?

This helps relieve fascial related pain, which is often involved with sciatic nerve pain and a large number of neurological issues.  It is a highly specialist technique that can achieve some fantastic outcomes where other methods have failed.

Why is 3d Structure Scanning used?

A 3d scan is taken of your foot which enables us to prescribe bespoke orthotics with an extremely high level of accuracy

Why are bespoke exercise programs used?

Exercise plays an important part in recovery of many foot and ankle issues.  Where necessary, to help with exercise we design bespoke programmes as this ensures that they are tailored to your particular issue and presentation.

Can we refer to other specialists if required?

If a referral to a different field or specialty is required, this will be evaluated, discussed and where appropriate arranged for you.  We may advise a private specialist or will write to your GP where required for referral in to an nhs service.

Why don’t we offer Corticosteroid injections/cortisone injections?
Although we are qualified to administer steroid injections for plantar fasciitis and other conditions at the clinic, we choose not to as we find that the other treatment pathways that we offer have a far better and longer lasting success rate. Our focus at the clinic is on long term outcomes rather than short term quick fixes. Corticosteroid/cortisone injections generally work by masking the pain rather than fixing the underlying issue, so the effects often wear off over time, if they work at all.
I’ve had plantar fasciitis for years, is it curable?

Plantar fasciitis, except in very rare and unusual cases, is curable!

On a daily basis we hear people describe it using terms such as ‘debilitating’, ‘excruciating torture’, ‘restrictive’, ‘affects me every day’ and ‘I’ve never known pain like it’. We understand how it can become all consuming.

However, it is a condition that for the vast majority of our patients we see great outcomes, with people finishing their treatment completely pain free, something that many when they first come to us thought they would never be. As specialists in the area, we know exactly what to look for and what treatment plans to put in place for each presentation of the condition.

How do I know if my foot pain is not Plantar Fasciitis?

While foot pain can be due to Plantar Fasciitis, there are many cases when it is not the correct diagnosis. So how do people know if they have Plantar Fasciitis or not? Good question! Here are the signs that it is not plantar fasciitis.

  • Burning, tingling, hot poker sensations or any neurological symptoms
  • Pain on the top or outer edge aspect of the feet
  • Tenderness on pressing from the arch to the inside ankle bone
  • Pain at the very back edge of the heel
  • Chronic dull aches that are difficult to pinpoint or appear to move around

When people experience these or similar symptoms, getting treatment for Plantar Fasciitis is not going to work! And we know how frustrating that is.

On the other hand, when people experience a peak in pain first thing in the morning, after periods of rest, and after lengthy walking or activity, it could well be that they do have Plantar Fasciitis. Similarly, if the pain is in the heel or inner edge of the foot and is sharp on weight-bearing with a dull throbbing/aching after lots of activity, it could mean a diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis.

We will diagnose the correct condition for you and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.

Where is our clinic?

Located in Darlington Co. Durham in the North East, just a few miles from Middlesbrough, Stockton, Teesside, Cleveland and North Yorkshire. We are within an hours drive of Leeds, York, Thirsk, Northallerton and Harrogate to the South and Newcastle, Durham, South Shields, Gateshead and Sunderland to the North.

Do you offer treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis?

Yes. We are plantar fasciitis specialists. Many patients when they first come to us have previously seen doctors, GPs and physiotherapists and been told their only route is to have Plantar fasciitis surgery, laser treatment, or to wear expensive orthotics for the rest of their life as they have ‘chronic plantar fasciitis’. It is extremely rare for this to be required. As a specialist centre, we have under one roof all the leading techniques and technology to find the right treatment for you.