Foot & Ankle Physiotherapy in Eastbourne
Foot or ankle pain can make every step uncomfortable. You might be recovering from a twisted ankle, struggling with heel pain first thing in the morning, or finding that your Achilles becomes sore whenever you increase your walking or running.
At DC Physiotherapy, we assess and rehabilitate foot and ankle problems at our clinic at Foundry in The Beacon, central Eastbourne. We’ll help you understand the problem and work towards comfortable everyday movement, exercise or sport.
Foot and Ankle Problems We Assess
Common reasons to book include:
Ankle sprains and lingering symptoms after an injury
Repeated ankle sprains or a feeling that the ankle gives way
Achilles tendon pain and stiffness
Plantar heel pain, often called plantar fasciitis
Other muscle or tendon problems around the foot and ankle
Joint pain and stiffness, including osteoarthritis
Rehabilitation after a fracture or operation, once appropriate to begin
Heel pain with your first steps after resting can occur with plantar fasciitis. Pain at the back of the heel or ankle may involve the Achilles tendon. These patterns are useful clues, but different problems can feel similar, so assessment matters.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
We’ll ask how symptoms began, where you feel them and how they respond to walking, standing, exercise and rest. Recent changes in training, work demands or footwear may also be relevant.
The assessment may include checking movement, strength, balance and how you walk. Where appropriate, we’ll look at tasks such as rising onto your toes or movements related to your sport.
We’ll explain what appears to be contributing to your symptoms and agree on a plan. If the history or examination suggests a fracture, tendon rupture or another problem needing medical assessment, we’ll advise you on the appropriate next step.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Treatment often involves exercises to restore movement, build strength and improve tolerance to time on your feet. After an ankle sprain, balance and progressively more demanding tasks may be important alongside managing pain and swelling.
For Achilles or plantar heel symptoms, we can help you adjust aggravating activities and build an exercise programme suited to your current ability. Footwear advice or hands-on treatment may also be useful, depending on your assessment.
The aim is to give you a manageable plan between appointments. We’ll review your response and progress rehabilitation as you become able to do more.
When Can I Return to Running or Sport?
This depends on the injury and what your activity involves. Comfortable walking is a useful milestone, but running, jumping and changing direction place different demands on the foot and ankle.
Our sports injury rehabilitation can help you build towards those demands. We’ll consider your symptoms, strength and function rather than relying only on how many weeks have passed since the injury. Tendon and heel symptoms can take time to settle, so progression needs to reflect your response.
Do I Need Physiotherapy or Podiatry?
Physiotherapy is often appropriate for movement-related pain, muscle and tendon problems, and rehabilitation after injury. Podiatrists also assess musculoskeletal foot problems and may help with footwear or orthoses.
For problems such as ingrown toenails, corns, skin conditions or routine foot care, podiatry is usually the more suitable starting point. If another professional would better meet your needs, we’ll explain that.
When Should I Seek Medical Advice?
Seek urgent medical assessment if you cannot put weight through the foot after an injury, it looks deformed, or you develop sudden severe Achilles pain with a snap or difficulty pushing off. A hot, red, swollen foot with fever also needs urgent advice.
If you have diabetes and develop a new foot wound, swelling or colour change, contact your GP or diabetes foot team promptly.
Foot or ankle pain limiting your activity?