Foot and ankle conditions
Plain-English guides, grouped by where it hurts. Each one explains causes, symptoms and every treatment option, from insoles to surgery.
Tap or click the area that hurts.
Where is your pain?
Choose an area on the foot to see the conditions we treat there, with plain-English guides written by Prof Mason. Switch between the outer and inner side using the buttons above the picture.
Outer side
Front of the ankle
Ache or stiffness at the front of the ankle, often after an old injury.
Outer side
Midfoot joints below the ankle
Deep pain where the ankle meets the midfoot, worse on uneven ground.
Outer side
Outer ankle and outer edge of the foot
Pain around or below the outer ankle bone, along the tendons or the outer edge of the foot, or an ankle that gives way.
- Ankle instabilityAn ankle that keeps rolling or giving way after sprains.
- Peroneal tendon problemsPain and swelling behind the outer ankle bone, sometimes with clicking.
- Subtalar arthritisPain below the ankle, worse on uneven ground or slopes.
- Bunionette (tailor's bunion)A painful bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe.
- Fifth metatarsal fracturesA break of the long bone on the outer edge of the foot, often after a twist.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Outer side
Top of the midfoot
Aching across the top of the foot, sometimes with a bony lump.
Outer side
Ball of the foot and smaller toes
Pain under the ball of the foot, between the toes, or bent toes that rub.
- Morton's neuromaBurning pain or numbness between the toes, like walking on a pebble.
- Lesser toe deformities (hammer, claw and mallet toes)Bent, curled or overlapping smaller toes that rub in shoes.
- Freiberg's diseasePain and stiffness at the base of the second toe from a damaged metatarsal head.
- Bunionette (tailor's bunion)A painful bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Outer side
Big toe
A bump at the base of the big toe, or a stiff painful big toe.
- Bunion (hallux valgus)A bony bump at the base of the big toe as the toe drifts towards the others.
- Big toe arthritis (hallux rigidus)A stiff, painful big toe joint, often with a bump on top.
- SesamoiditisPain under the ball of the foot beneath the big toe.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Outer side
Back of the heel
Pain at the back of the heel or in the Achilles tendon.
Inner side
Big toe
A bump at the base of the big toe, or a stiff painful big toe.
- Bunion (hallux valgus)A bony bump at the base of the big toe as the toe drifts towards the others.
- Big toe arthritis (hallux rigidus)A stiff, painful big toe joint, often with a bump on top.
- SesamoiditisPain under the ball of the foot beneath the big toe.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Inner side
Smaller toes
Bent or rubbing toes, or pain under the ball of the foot.
- Lesser toe deformities (hammer, claw and mallet toes)Bent, curled or overlapping smaller toes that rub in shoes.
- Morton's neuromaBurning pain or numbness between the toes, like walking on a pebble.
- Freiberg's diseasePain and stiffness at the base of the second toe from a damaged metatarsal head.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Inner side
Top of the midfoot
Aching or a bony lump on top of the foot behind the big toe.
Inner side
Talonavicular joint
Pain on the inner side of the foot just in front of the ankle, where the talus meets the navicular.
Inner side
Front of the ankle
Ache or stiffness at the front of the ankle, often after an old injury.
Inner side
Inner ankle tendon and arch
Pain behind the inner ankle bone running down to the arch, or a change in the shape of the arch.
- Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunctionPain and swelling on the inner ankle, with a gradually flattening arch.
- Flat foot (pes planus)A low or collapsing arch, sometimes with pain inside the ankle.
- High-arched foot (pes cavus)An unusually high arch, often with the heel tilting in and outer-foot pain.
- Midfoot arthritisAching across the top of the foot, often with a bony lump.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Pain, swelling and skin changes out of proportion after an injury.
Inner side
Heel
Pain under the heel when you first stand, or at the back of the heel.
Not sure? Book a consultation and Prof Mason will assess the whole foot.
Browse by area
Big toe
A bump at the base of the big toe, or a stiff, painful big toe joint.
Ball of foot and smaller toes
Pain under the ball of the foot, numbness between the toes, or bent and rubbing toes.
- Lesser toe deformities (hammer, claw and mallet toes)Bent, curled or overlapping smaller toes that rub in shoes.
- Morton's neuromaBurning pain or numbness between the toes, like walking on a pebble.
- Bunionette (tailor's bunion)A painful bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe.
- Fifth metatarsal fracturesA break of the long bone on the outer edge of the foot, often after a twist.
- Freiberg's diseasePain and stiffness at the base of the second toe from a damaged metatarsal head.
Arch and midfoot
Aching across the top of the foot, or a flattening arch.
- Midfoot arthritisAching across the top of the foot, often with a bony lump.
- Talonavicular and Chopart joint arthritisPain where the ankle meets the midfoot, worse walking on uneven ground.
- Flat foot (pes planus)A low or collapsing arch, sometimes with pain inside the ankle.
- Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunctionPain and swelling on the inner ankle, with a gradually flattening arch.
- High-arched foot (pes cavus)An unusually high arch, often with the heel tilting in and outer-foot pain.
Heel
Pain under the heel when you first stand, or at the back of the heel.
Ankle
An ankle that gives way, or ache and stiffness in or just below the ankle.
- Ankle instabilityAn ankle that keeps rolling or giving way after sprains.
- Peroneal tendon problemsPain and swelling behind the outer ankle bone, sometimes with clicking.
- Ankle arthritisDeep ankle pain, stiffness and swelling, often after an old injury.
- Subtalar arthritisPain below the ankle, worse on uneven ground or slopes.
After injury or surgery
Pain that is out of proportion, or problems with plates and screws.
Looking for injuries such as ankle fractures? See patient information.