Ankle pain can be debilitating issue. There are many causes of ankle pain including:

• Gout
• Arthritis
• tendon inflamation
• Ligament damage

If the pain was cause by trauma or accident related injury, sprains and ankle fractures are the most common cause and are best assessed by the team at Minor injuries department at Royal Infirmary A+E or Western General Hospital

If the problem is more chronic issue (over 4-6 weeks) and you are not sure what the underlying cause is then seeing one of our clinical team members (nurse practionners, Physician Associate or GP) can help assess the issue.  

BOFAS- is a great resource of information and support on various foot and ankle conditions including:

• Ankle fractures
• ankle arthirtis
• bunions
• flat feet/ high arches
• heel pain
• ingrowing toenails

Click on the link opposite for more info!

click here for links to  videos of ankle exercises from NHS inform devised by physiotherapy team to help with stengthening the ankle, and improving balance and coordination within the joint. They also give advice on repetition of exercises and advice on stretching exercises.

These exercises are useful if you are recovering from an ankle injury like a sprain, have a condition like plantar faciitis or have chronic osteorthritis.

Regular practice of these exercises are key here with awareness of pain levels in the early stages. Let pain be a guage avoid doing these exercises if they cause severe pain and avoid pushing through pain as this is likely to make the injury or condition worse. 

The NHS Foot and Ankle Service is located at Lauriston Buildings in centre of Edinburgh. It is a multidisciplinary service comprising of:

• orthopaedic surgeons
• podiatrist & orthotists
• Nurses and Advanced Nurse Practionners

Access to this service requires an initial assessment and referral by our clinical team; either by General Practionner (GP), Nurse Practionner (NP), Physician Associate (PA). 

Referral to this team is usually considered when the above support from our clinical team at Bangholm or from community physiotherapy/podiatry team has:

• Not improved the issue
• Pain is becoming increasingly  severe
• The issue is significantly impacting day to day functioning like mobility, personal care and day-to-day activities.

Please be warned that waiting times are lengthy especially since the pandemic.