Foot & Ankle Pain – Musculoskeletal Assessment

Many patients come to us with ongoing foot or ankle pain and are not sure what is actually wrong. Our musculoskeletal assessment appointments focus on diagnosing pain from the knee down and building a practical treatment plan.

What we mean by musculoskeletal foot & ankle pain

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain involves the structures that support and move the foot and ankle – joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and surrounding soft tissues. Typical problems include:

• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendon pain
• General foot and arch pain
• Ball of foot pain (metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma)
• Ankle pain and sprains
• Shin splints and shin pain
• Flat feet and overpronation
• Bunions and big toe joint pain

We also see children and teenagers with growing foot and leg pain, including sport-related problems around the heel and knees.

How we assess your foot or ankle pain

Appointments are one-to-one and unhurried. A typical assessment includes:

• History of your pain, medical background and activity levels
• Hands-on examination of joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Walking and, where useful, running or sports-specific movement assessment
• Review of footwear, training loads and work demands
• Discussion of likely diagnosis and contributing factors

If imaging or onward referral is needed, we explain why and help coordinate this with your GP or specialist.

Treatment options we may use

Treatment is tailored to the diagnosis and your goals. It may include a combination of:

• Targeted load management and activity modification
• Exercise programs to improve strength, control and flexibility
• Footwear advice and, when appropriate, orthotics
• Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) for stubborn heel and tendon problems
• Class IV laser therapy for selected soft tissue and nerve-related pain
• Injection therapies where indicated
• Dry needling and other soft tissue techniques

We explain options in plain language, outline realistic timeframes and make sure you know what you can do at home between visits.

Who this appointment is suited for

This assessment is suitable if you:

• Have had foot, heel, ankle or leg pain for more than a few weeks
• Have tried “rest and ice” without lasting improvement
• Are limited in work, walking, running or sport by your symptoms
• Want a clear diagnosis and a structured plan rather than short-term symptom relief

Where our foot and ankle pain patients come from

Our clinic is in Brentford Square, Forest Hill, and we regularly see patients with MSK foot and ankle pain from nearby suburbs including Blackburn, Nunawading, Mitcham and Vermont.

Book a musculoskeletal foot & ankle assessment

If you have ongoing foot or ankle pain and are not sure what is causing it, a musculoskeletal assessment is a sensible starting point. You can book online or contact the clinic to arrange an appointment time.