Foot and Ankle Unit

Your feet and ankles are vital for support, balance, and mobility. When they function well, you can move freely and perform daily activities without hindrance.

Remarkably, one-quarter of the bones in your entire body reside in your feet. These bones work in harmony with muscles, ligaments, and tendons to provide stability and movement.

Common Issues and Impact

Unfortunately, foot and ankle problems can significantly affect your quality of life. Here are some common issues:

Sprained Ankle: Often caused by excessive exercise or wearing ill-fitting shoes, sprains can lead to pain, swelling, and weakness around the ankle.

Achilles Tendonitis: This condition involves pain in the ankle and heel, especially when standing on tiptoes.

Bursitis: Symptoms include redness, swelling, and a dull, aching pain.

Broken Ankle: Sudden sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty walking may indicate a broken ankle.

Bunions: Painful bunions occur when the big toe points outward toward the other toes.

Whatever your ankle or foot issue at Sulis Hospital Bath we are here to help.

When you schedule an appointment with us, you’ll meet one of our friendly consultants who specialises in foot and ankle problems. During your visit, the consultant will:

Discuss your symptoms and medical history to understand your specific problem.

Conduct a thorough examination of your foot or ankle, assessing your range of motion and pinpointing areas of discomfort.

Rest assured, you’ll receive expert care tailored to your needs.

Tests to help with diagnosis

Your consultant may require certain tests carried out to aid diagnosis. In the majority of cases, we can carry these tests out on the same day. However, in some circumstances, and especially if the test requires specific preparation, we’ll need to arrange the test for another day. (Rest assured, we will always schedule it for the earliest possible date.)

When you visit our clinic, our specialised foot and ankle consultants will consider various tests or scans to assess your condition. These may include:

X-ray of the foot or ankle
X-rays provide detailed images of bones and soft tissues.
Useful for diagnosing fractures, joint issues, and alignment problems.
Helps evaluate Achilles tendon rupture and malleolar fractures.
Mortise views (with 15° internal rotation) are recommended.
Weight-bearing X-rays compare the injured side to the healthy side.

CT (Computerised Tomography) scan
Creates 3D images of bones, aiding in precise visualization.
Valuable for complex cases or suspected bone abnormalities.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan:
Excellent for assessing soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).
Detects issues like tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and Morton’s neuroma.

Blood Test
Checks for inflammation or infection related to your symptoms.

Not all tests may be necessary, and additional ones may be recommended.
We prioritise quick, accurate diagnoses after your consultation.
Sometimes surgery isn’t needed; alternative treatments like physiotherapy may suffice.
If surgery is required, we’ll guide you through the process and address any concerns

Any tests will be thoroughly explained to you beforehand so that you know how the tests will be carried out and why they’re being done.

Whether you’re an elite athlete needing to get back up to full health as quickly as possible or you just want to be able to move without pain in the foot we're here to help.

With our state-of-the-art equipment, fast access to treatment and a medical team that includes some of the top foot and ankle surgeons in the country, you can be assured that you’ll be in expert hands.

At Sulis Hospital Bath we like to do things differently. That’s why, unlike many other hospitals, you’ll benefit from:

• receiving treatment for your foot or ankle within two weeks of initial diagnosis: with no waiting lists, we can get you treated and back to good health quickly. (If you’re an elite athlete, receiving such prompt treatment could make a career-defining difference.)
• treatment by a specialist consultant surgeon: with decades of shared experience treating foot and ankle problems, our consultants include nationally renowned foot and ankle experts (in fact, they’re often asked for help and advice from other specialists).
• our multidisciplinary team: we’ve built an incredibly strong and diverse team of like-minded healthcare professionals who all work together every day to achieve the best possible result for everyone we treat.
• a dedicated physiotherapy team: to give you expert advice and assistance so that you’re able to mobilise quickly and get back on your feet safely. If you have a foot or ankle problem that requires surgery, why not talk to us about how we can help you? At Sulis Hospital Bath you’ll receive an outstanding level of care while being treated by the finest foot and ankle surgeons.