Foot & Ankle Pain
Frustrated by foot pain or ankle pain?
Foot or ankle pain can be more than just a frustration - it can disrupt your daily routine and impact your overall well-being.
Here at One Step Ahead Podiatry we specialise in treating foot pain and ankle pain. We'll start with a biomechanics assessment to help diagnose the problem, then we'll look at which of our treatments will help get you moving comfortably again. From Shockwave and laser therapy to custom made orthotics - we've got you covered.
Pain not going away?
A biomechanics (MSK) assessment is often the best place to start. It helps us understand why you’re in pain and what we need to do to get you moving comfortably again.
At One Step Ahead Podiatry, we offer specialist biomechanics assessments and detailed gait analysis to look closely at how your feet and lower limbs are working. How you stand, walk and move tells us a lot - and it’s usually the key to finding the root cause of your problem.
What happens in a Biomechanics/MSK Assessment?
Your appointment includes an in-depth look at:
- How your joints and muscles are functioning,
- How your feet and legs line up (alignment),
- How you walk and how your body loads pressure,
- Any movement patterns linked to your pain.
We take a detailed medical and lifestyle history, assess your feet and legs seated and standing, and observe how you move. Depending on the appointment level, we’ll also use our Footscan digital pressure plate and video gait analysis to give a highly accurate and objective assessment.
This helps us identify issues that may be causing problems in your feet, ankles, knees, hips or lower back.
After the assessment, we’ll talk you through everything in a clear and simple way, and create a personalised treatment plan that may include orthotics, rehab exercises, footwear advice, shockwave, laser therapy or manual therapy.
Choose the right assessment for you
Bronze MSK Assessment
40 minutes
Perfect if you have one painful area (usually the foot) and want a clear diagnosis and treatment plan
- Detailed non-weight-bearing assessment of the painful area
- Evaluation of how your foot moves when standing and walking
- Identification of the likely cause of your pain
- Discussion of treatment options
- Pre-made orthoses can be fitted during this appointment if needed
- Advice on follow-up treatments
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Optional add-ons:
• Footscan pressure measurements • 3D laser scan for custom orthotics - This appointment is ideal for acute or straightforward issues where we need to understand what’s wrong and get you started on treatment quickly
Silver MSK Assessment (with Footscan)
60 minutes
A more detailed assessment for people with ongoing, recurring, or more complex pain. We look closely at how you move under load and how pressure is distributed through your feet.
- Full non-weight-bearing assessment
- Standing and walking assessment
- Footscan pressure mat analysis (standing & walking)
- Detailed pressure mapping and left/right balance checks
- Identification of the root cause
- Discussion of treatment options and a personalised plan
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Possible treatments recommended:
• Laser therapy • Manual therapy • Rehab exercises • Premade orthoses • Custom orthotics using 3D scan - Follow-up appointments may be suggested depending on your diagnosis
Gold MSK Assessment (with Footscan & Video Gait Analysis)
90 minutes
Our most comprehensive assessment - perfect for long-standing issues, sports injuries, running problems, or complex movement patterns. We combine Footscan data with treadmill video gait analysis, giving us the most complete picture of how your feet and legs function.
- Full examination of the problem area
- Standing and walking analysis
- Footscan pressure plate standing and walking assessments
- Video analysis of walking/running on a treadmill
- Precise breakdown of how your body moves and where things break down
- Clear explanation and tailored treatment plan
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Possible treatments recommended:
• Laser therapy • Manual therapy • Footwear advice • Strengthening & rehab exercises • Premade or custom-made orthotics (3D scanned) - A follow-up fitting session may be required for orthotics
Ready to Get Out of Pain?
If you’re struggling with an ongoing issue, a Biomechanics/MSK Assessment is the best way to understand what’s going on and create a clear path back to doing the activities you love
Sometimes during your assessment, we spot joints in the foot or ankle that aren’t moving quite as well as they should. When things get a bit stiff or restricted, it can throw everything else off - which is why we often need to get those joints moving properly again.
Mobilisation is a gentle, hands-on technique where I guide the joint through specific movements to help restore flexibility, reduce discomfort, and get everything working as it should. It’s completely safe and usually feels like a comfortable stretch or release.
This can be done as a stand-alone treatment or included as part of your wider treatment plan.
If you’ve been dealing with ongoing foot or ankle pain that just isn’t shifting, Shockwave therapy might be exactly what you need. It’s a safe, non-invasive treatment that works brilliantly for long-term musculoskeletal problems by reducing pain, boosting circulation, and helping the body repair itself.
If you’re ready to get on top of your pain and get moving comfortably again, Shockwave therapy could be a great option for you.
At One Step Ahead Podiatry, we use Shockwave as part of a personalised treatment plan for a wide range of issues, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain): One of the most common conditions we see. Shockwave helps calm irritation, reduce inflammation, and encourage proper healing when other treatments haven’t worked.
- Achilles Tendinopathy: Whether it’s from running, walking, or simply overuse, Shockwave can speed up recovery and improve how the tendon functions.
- Bony problems such as heel spurs or Haglund’s deformity: These can be stubborn and very painful. Shockwave helps break down calcification, reduces irritation and improves comfort.
- Connective tissue conditions like Dupuytren’s contracture: Shockwave can soften the tight, fibrous tissue, improving movement and reducing discomfort.
- General muscle, tendon and ligament strains or sprains: If you’ve been in pain for a while, Shockwave is often the next step when standard treatments haven’t made enough difference.
Read our blog to find out more about Shockwave therapy for foot and ankle pain.
If you’re looking for a treatment that’s painless, drug-free, and non-invasive for things like pain, swelling, and inflammation - MLS Laser Therapy is a brilliant option.
At One Step Ahead Podiatry, we use the Multiwave Locked System (MLS) laser - a modern, evidence-based treatment that helps reduce pain and speed up healing. It’s fantastic for a wide range of foot and ankle problems, especially those that are stubborn or long-standing.
What MLS Laser Therapy Helps With
MLS Laser is particularly effective for inflammatory and painful conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Nerve pain or nerve injuries
- Sprains, bruising and soft tissue injuries
- Muscle spasms and tears
- Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions
If you’ve been struggling with pain for a while, or nothing else has worked, laser therapy is a safe and comfortable option that doesn’t involve medication or surgery.
The Evidence Behind It
MLS Laser Therapy has a strong scientific base with over 100 published studies and more than 20,000 devices in use worldwide. The system we use has been thoroughly tested at ASAcampus (ASA Research in partnership with the University of Florence), confirming its safety and effectiveness.
How MLS Laser Therapy Works
The laser works at cellular level to help your body heal more efficiently. It uses two specific wavelengths of light that work together to:
- Calm inflammation
- Reduce pain
- Improve blood flow
- Speed up tissue repair
The treatment is completely painless - you just feel a gentle warmth or nothing at all - and each session usually lasts around 15-20 minutes. Depending on your condition, a short course of treatments is often recommended.
MLS is different from many other laser systems because the wavelengths are locked and synchronised, meaning the energy is delivered consistently and safely, penetrating deep into the tissues without causing heat damage.
It’s also fully certified under the EU Medical Device Regulations, so you can feel confident you’re receiving a safe and effective treatment.
Read our blog to find out more about MLS Laser therapy for foot and ankle pain.
Orthotics (insoles) can be a really effective part of your treatment plan, but they're never a one-size-fits-all solution. Not everyone needs them, and if I think they would benefit you, I'll explain exactly why and which type would be most suitable.
The aim isn't just to support your arches - it's to improve the way your feet move, reduce unnecessary strain and help take pressure away from the structures causing your pain. Some people only need them for a short period while an injury settles, whereas others benefit from wearing them long term.
At One Step Ahead Podiatry, I offer a range of orthotic options, from simple prefabricated insoles through to fully bespoke 3D-printed devices. Every orthosis is prescribed to do a specific job based on your assessment, foot shape, and the way you walk.
Pre-made Orthoses
These are high-quality ready-made insoles that can often be fitted during your appointment. I carefully select the most suitable style for your foot shape and the way you move, and they can be modified in clinic to improve comfort, support and function.
They are an excellent option for many patients and can provide significant relief without the need for a fully custom device.
Natural Step 3D Custom Orthoses
These are our own custom-designed orthoses, created here at One Step Ahead Podiatry. After scanning your feet and assessing how you walk, I design your orthoses specifically for you before manufacturing them on-site using our own state-of-the-art 3D printer.
They are printed using a durable TPU material, allowing different parts of the orthosis to be softer, firmer or more supportive depending on exactly what your feet need. This means I can add cushioning where pressure needs reducing, increase support where required, and create a device that works with your feet rather than simply propping up your arches.
Because they're designed and manufactured by us, I have complete control over the prescription and can fine-tune every detail to help improve the way you move and keep you as comfortable as possible.
Phits Custom Orthoses
Phits orthoses are one of the most advanced orthotic systems available. Using detailed gait analysis from our Footscan pressure plate, combined with 3D technology, these devices are designed to support your feet only where they need it while allowing the rest of the foot to move naturally.
This allows us to create an incredibly precise prescription that helps improve the way you walk, run and move, rather than simply providing arch support. They are an excellent option for more complex biomechanical problems and active individuals.
Podfo Custom Orthoses
Podfo orthoses are fully bespoke devices created from a detailed 3D scan of your feet. They are manufactured using advanced laser-sintering technology, producing a lightweight, strong and highly accurate orthosis.
These modern devices allow for a huge amount of customisation and are ideal when a completely bespoke solution is needed. As well as providing excellent function and comfort, they're available in a range of colours, so you can even personalise how they look.
