
Joint Pain: Foot, Ankle & Leg Therapy
What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, or soreness in the areas where two or more bones meet. While it can occur anywhere in the body, the joints in the legs, feet, and ankles are especially prone to pain due to the continuous load they bear during walking, standing, and movement.
This type of pain can stem from various causes, including arthritis, injury, overuse, or inflammation. Symptoms can range from a dull, lingering ache to sharp or throbbing pain. Some individuals may also experience stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, while others notice discomfort that worsens with activity or weight-bearing tasks.
When left unaddressed, leg or ankle joint pain can interfere with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods. Managing joint pain effectively involves more than temporary relief, it requires identifying the underlying cause to restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and support long-term joint health.
Common Types of Joint Pain
Discomfort in the lower limbs can manifest in several specific areas.
Understanding the type of pain you are experiencing is the first step toward finding the right solution.
Foot Joint Pain
Foot joint pain often occurs in the midfoot or forefoot, affecting daily activities like walking and standing. This can be due to conditions like metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot) or issues arising from the dozens of small, hardworking joints that provide flexibility and support.
Ankle Joint Pain
Characterised by pain at the meeting point of the leg and foot, ankle joint pain is frequently caused by sprains, instability, or arthritis. The ankle's crucial role as a weight-bearing hinge makes it prone to discomfort that can limit mobility.
Leg Joint Pain
While our focus is on the foot and ankle, associated leg joint pain, particularly in the knee, is common. This is often related to altered biomechanics, where issues in foot posture can transfer stress up the leg, affecting how the knee joint functions during movement.
Toe Joint Pain
Pain in the toes, especially the big toe, is a frequent complaint. Conditions like bunions, hallux rigidus (stiffness in the big toe), or arthritis can cause significant discomfort, making footwear choices difficult and walking painful.
Achy Joints in Foot & Ankle
This describes a more generalised, often widespread discomfort where multiple joints are aching. This sensation of foot and ankle pain can be a symptom of systemic conditions, overuse from standing for long periods, or inflammatory responses within the joints.
What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, or soreness in the areas where two or more bones meet. While it can occur anywhere in the body, the joints in the legs, feet, and ankles are especially prone to pain due to the continuous load they bear during walking, standing, and movement.
This type of pain can stem from various causes, including arthritis, injury, overuse, or inflammation. Symptoms can range from a dull, lingering ache to sharp or throbbing pain. Some individuals may also experience stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, while others notice discomfort that worsens with activity or weight-bearing tasks.
When left unaddressed, leg or ankle joint pain can interfere with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods. Managing joint pain effectively involves more than temporary relief, it requires identifying the underlying cause to restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and support long-term joint health.
Symptoms of Joint Pain
Recognising the specific symptoms you are experiencing can help in
communicating with your healthcare provider and finding the right diagnosis.
Pain
This is the most common symptom, ranging from a dull, persistent ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. The pain may worsen with specific movements, after long periods of standing, or during weight-bearing activities.
Swelling
Inflammation may cause visible swelling around the affected joint. You may notice puffiness, a stretched feeling in the skin, or a loss of definition in areas like the ankles or toes. Swelling can limit joint flexibility and increase discomfort.
Stiffness
A feeling of restricted movement in the joint, particularly noticeable first thing in the morning or after being seated for a long time. This stiffness can make it difficult to initiate movement, like taking the first few steps of the day.
Heat and Redness
Warmth and redness over a joint may indicate active inflammation or, in some cases, infection. These symptoms should be monitored closely, especially if accompanied by pain or swelling.
Instability
Some individuals experience a feeling of weakness or giving way in the joint. This joint instability may make it harder to maintain balance or perform weight-bearing activities confidently.
Decreased Mobility
Over time, pain and swelling can reduce your range of motion, making it more difficult to bend, flex, or rotate the joint. This may interfere with walking, exercising, or even wearing certain types of shoes comfortably.

Causes of Joint Pain
Several underlying conditions can be responsible for the pain you feel in your lower limbs. A precise diagnosis is key to effective management.
This is a primary cause of joint pain, involving inflammation of one or more joints. The most common types are osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear, which breaks down cartilage) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the joint lining), both leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Acute trauma is a frequent source of joint pain. This includes ankle sprains, ligament tears, stress fractures from repetitive impact, or dislocations. If not managed correctly, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and instability.
Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, the thick cord that attaches muscle to bone. Common in the foot and ankle, such as Achilles tendinitis, it results from overuse and creates localised pain and tenderness around the affected joint.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in a joint. It is known for causing sudden and severe episodes of pain, often in the big toe, accompanied by intense swelling and redness.
Though less common, a bacterial or viral infection within a joint (septic arthritis) can cause severe pain, swelling, fever, and difficulty moving the limb. This is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
Our Approach to Joint Pain Therapy
At UFIT Podiatry, a personalised and comprehensive approach is adopted to manage joint pain, focusing on relieving symptoms, promoting healing, and preventing recurrence. The management strategy includes:

A detailed initial assessment is conducted to understand the patient’s condition, lifestyle, and any contributing factors to the joint pain. This involves a physical examination, gait analysis, and a review of medical history.

Based on the assessment, a tailored management plan is developed. This may include a combination of conservative management methods, physical therapy.

Utilisation of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (both radial and focal applications), ultrasound scanning, and other advanced techniques to promote healing and reduce pain.

Patients are educated on proper footwear, ankle braces, foot care, and exercises to protect joints and prevent further damage. This proactive approach helps in preventing future issues and managing existing conditions effectively.

Custom foot orthotics are designed and fitted to provide optimal support, correct foot mechanics, and reduce joint pain and promote healing. These orthotics are created based on precise measurements and tailored to the patient’s specific needs.

Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, adjust management plans as necessary, and ensure long-term recovery and management. UFIT Podiatry emphasises continuous care to help patients achieve and maintain joint health.
Our Approach to Joint Pain Therapy
At UFIT Podiatry, a personalised and comprehensive approach is adopted to manage joint pain, focusing on relieving symptoms, promoting healing, and preventing recurrence. The management strategy includes:

A detailed initial assessment is conducted to understand the patient’s condition, lifestyle, and any contributing factors to the joint pain. This involves a physical examination, gait analysis, and a review of medical history.

Based on the assessment, a tailored management plan is developed. This may include a combination of conservative management methods, physical therapy.

Utilisation of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (both radial and focal applications), ultrasound scanning, and other advanced techniques to promote healing and reduce pain.

Custom foot orthotics are designed and fitted to provide optimal support, correct foot mechanics, and reduce joint pain and promote healing. These orthotics are created based on precise measurements and tailored to the patient’s specific needs.

Patients are educated on proper footwear, ankle braces, foot care, and exercises to protect joints and prevent further damage. This proactive approach helps in preventing future issues and managing existing conditions effectively.

Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, adjust management plans as necessary, and ensure long-term recovery and management. UFIT Podiatry emphasises continuous care to help patients achieve and maintain joint health.
Management of Joint Pain at UFIT Podiatry
At UFIT Podiatry, a personalized and comprehensive approach is adopted to manage joint pain, focusing on relieving symptoms, promoting healing, and preventing recurrence. The management strategy includes:

A detailed initial assessment is conducted to understand the patient’s condition, lifestyle, and any contributing factors to the joint pain. This involves a physical examination, gait analysis, and a review of medical history.

Based on the assessment, a tailored management plan is developed. This may include a combination of conservative management methods, physical therapy, and, if necessary, surgical interventions

Utilization of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (both radial and focal applications), ultrasound scanning, and other cutting-edge techniques to promote healing and reduce pain.

Custom orthotic devices are designed and fitted to provide optimal support, correct foot mechanics, and reduce joint pain and promote healing. These orthotics are created based on precise measurements and tailored to the patient’s specific needs.

Patients are educated on proper footwear, ankle braces, foot care, and exercises to protect joints and prevent further damage. This proactive approach helps in preventing future issues and managing existing conditions effectively.

Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans as necessary, and ensure long-term recovery and management. UFIT Podiatry emphasizes continuous care to help patients achieve and maintain joint health.
What to expect on your first visit
We use cutting-edge diagnostic tools to get real-time insights into your soft tissue, joints and structures to provide a fast and accurate diagnosis.
Post-assessment, you will receive clear and comprehensive reports detailing our findings. This will allow you to make informed decisions on your treatment plan.
Together with you, we formulate a comprehensive and personalised treatment plan that suit your goals and preferences.
Meet Our Podiatry Team

Lewis Nurney
Lewis is a highly experienced podiatrist with over 5 years of practice in Singapore, bringing his expertise to UFIT's comprehensive Circle of Care. As Head of Podiatry at UFIT Club Street, he specialises in sports podiatry, innovative orthotics for adults and children (including 3D-printed custom insoles, Paediatric AFOs and SMOs for pediatric flat feet), and minimally invasive procedures.
A first-class honours graduate from the University of Huddersfield (UK), Lewis holds dual certifications in Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), Diagnostic Ultrasound and Running Gait analysis. Previously with East Coast Podiatry, he now provides patient-centred care at UFIT, specialising in non-surgical management of conditions like Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendinopathy in both children and adults, ultimately focused on alleviating discomfort and restoring optimal foot function.

Elliot Yeldham
Elliott is a dedicated podiatrist with over 7 years of healthcare experience, gained in both the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and private practice. He holds an Honours degree in Podiatry from Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales), and brings a wealth of expertise to Singapore.
Specialising in Musculoskeletal (MSK) podiatry, Elliott's interests include sport podiatry and the management of gait abnormalities in both adults and children. He is also recognised for his skill and patient-focused approach in minimally invasive procedures for ingrown toenails and wart removal. Committed to a patient-centred and multidisciplinary model, Elliott actively stays informed of the latest healthcare advancements through clinical research and international conferences.
Consult A Specialist For Your Joint Pain Today
Visit Our Podiatry Clinic
21 Club St, #01-01
Singapore 069410
+65 6225 5059
podiatry@ufit.com.sg
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Take the first step towards pain-free living with our specialised services.




Frequently Asked Questions about Foot and Ankle Joint Pain
Yes, joint pain tends to become more common with age due to natural wear and tear of the cartilage, reduced joint fluid, and age-related changes in soft tissues. However, it’s not something that should be dismissed as “normal” aging, appropriate care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Yes, arthritis is one of the most common causes of foot joint pain and ankle joint pain. Osteoarthritis can result from long-term wear, while inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis can also affect these joints. A thorough assessment is essential to determine the underlying cause.
Yes, footwear that lacks adequate support, cushioning, or proper fit can contribute to foot and ankle pain. Poor shoe choices can strain the joints, alter gait, and lead to overuse injuries over time. Supportive and well-fitted footwear is an important part of joint care.
Mild cases of joint discomfort may resolve with rest, activity modification, and self-care. However, persistent or worsening symptoms may indicate an underlying issue that requires assessment. Early intervention can help prevent more serious joint conditions from developing.
If left untreated, foot and ankle joint pain can lead to chronic inflammation, joint stiffness, reduced mobility, and eventual structural damage. It may also affect posture and movement patterns, increasing the risk of injury in other areas of the body.
A medical professional for lower limb care, such as a podiatrist in Singapore, can identify the root cause of your symptoms and recommend a targeted care plan for foot joint pain. This may include manual therapy, orthotics, exercise prescription, or referrals for further investigations if necessary.a
Yes, physical therapy is a key component of managing aching joints in the lower limbs. It can improve joint function, reduce pain, and strengthen the surrounding muscles to support the affected area. A podiatrist or physiotherapist can tailor therapy to your specific needs.
Many cases of ankle joint pain can be managed effectively without surgery through a combination of conservative treatments and care plans, such as orthotics, physiotherapy, joint mobilisation, and activity adjustments. Surgical intervention is usually considered only when conservative measures are insufficient.
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