Foot & Ankle Conditions

Heel Pain, Ankle Sprains, Bunions, and Foot & Ankle Conditions

When Foot or Ankle Pain Starts Affecting Everyday Movement

Our feet and ankles support the body throughout the day. They absorb impact during walking, running, standing, climbing stairs, exercising, and daily activities. Because these structures are constantly under pressure, injuries, tendon irritation, joint wear-and-tear, and alignment problems can gradually develop over time.

Some patients experience heel pain when taking their first steps in the morning, while others develop ankle instability after repeated sprains or pain from bunions, flat feet, or tendon injuries. Symptoms may begin mildly but gradually interfere with work, exercise, sports participation, or mobility.

At Mash Spine & Orthopaedics, treatment is tailored according to the patient’s symptoms, imaging findings, activity demands, and functional goals. Treatment may include physiotherapy, footwear modification, orthotics, injections, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery where appropriate.

Why Foot and Ankle Problems Can Affect Daily Activities

At our clinic, assessment begins with a detailed consultation, which may include:

The foot and ankle contain a complex network of:

When these tissues become inflamed, injured, unstable, or misaligned, patients may develop:

Because the feet absorb repetitive force throughout the day, untreated problems may gradually worsen and affect posture, gait, and mobility.

Common Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat

Foot and ankle symptoms may develop due to sports injuries, overuse, tendon irritation, instability, structural alignment issues, or degenerative changes.

Some conditions improve with conservative treatment, while others may require minimally invasive procedures or surgery.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Singapore

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes, becomes irritated or inflamed.

Patients commonly experience:

Symptoms may worsen with:

Some patients may also develop heel spurs, although not all heel pain is caused by heel spurs alone.

Ankle Sprain Specialist Singapore

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle become stretched or torn.

Sprains commonly occur during:

Symptoms may include:

Repeated ankle sprains may eventually lead to chronic ankle instability if the ligaments fail to heal properly.

Achilles Tendon Problems

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and plays an important role in walking, running, and jumping.

Achilles tendon problems may include:

Symptoms may include:

Symptoms often worsen with repetitive sports activity or sudden increases in training intensity.

Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a bony prominence that develops near the base of the big toe.

Over time, the big toe may gradually shift inward toward the smaller toes.

Symptoms may include:

Repeated ankle sprains may eventually lead to chronic ankle instability if the ligaments fail to heal properly.

Flat Feet

Flat feet occur when the arches of the feet collapse or become less prominent.

Some patients with flat feet experience:

Others may remain symptom-free.

Flat feet may contribute to altered foot mechanics and increased strain on tendons and joints over time.

Sports-Related Foot & Ankle Injuries

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle become stretched or torn.

Sports injuries involving the foot and ankle may affect:

Common sports-related conditions include:

Athletes and active individuals may develop symptoms from repetitive impact, sudden twisting movements, or overuse.

Symptoms That May Point to a Foot or Ankle Problem

Foot and ankle symptoms vary depending on whether the underlying problem involves tendon irritation, instability, inflammation, alignment issues, or degeneration.

Common symptoms may include:

Some patients may also notice worsening symptoms during exercise or after repetitive activity.

What Could Be Causing Your Foot or Ankle Symptoms?

Several foot and ankle conditions may produce similar symptoms. Proper assessment helps identify the underlying cause.

Symptom	Possible Conditions
Heel pain	Plantar fasciitis, heel spur, Achilles tendinitis
Repeated ankle sprains	Chronic ankle instability
Pain in the back of the heel	Achilles tendon irritation
Big toe deformity	Bunions (hallux valgus)
Arch pain	Flat feet, plantar fasciitis
Pain during sports	Tendon injuries, ligament injuries

Important Disclaimer:

This information is for general education only and should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat. A medical assessment and imaging may be necessary to determine the exact cause of symptoms.

How Foot & Ankle Problems Are Diagnosed

Because many foot and ankle conditions have overlapping symptoms, accurate diagnosis is important.

Assessment usually begins with understanding:

Which activities worsen symptoms
Walking and exercise habits
Previous injuries
Sports participation
Footwear patterns
Functional limitations

A consultation may include:

Physical examination
Stability testing
Gait assessment
Range-of-motion assessment
X-rays
MRI scans
Ultrasound imaging

Imaging may help identify:

Gait analysis may sometimes be performed to evaluate walking mechanics and foot alignment.

Foot & Ankle Treatment in Singapore

Treatment depends on:

Not all conditions require surgery.

Conservative treatment is often considered first, particularly for plantar fasciitis, mild tendon irritation, or ankle sprains. Not all conditions require surgery.

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy may help:

Improve ankle stability
Strengthen supporting muscles
Improve flexibility
Support tendon recovery
Improve walking mechanics
Reduce repetitive strain

Exercise programmes are tailored according to the patient’s condition and activity level.

Footwear Modification and Orthotics

Footwear changes and orthotics may sometimes help:

Supportive footwear may be particularly important for patients with flat feet or recurrent heel pain.

Medication and Injections

Medication or injections may sometimes be used to:

Treatment recommendations depend on the patient’s symptoms and diagnosis.

Minimally Invasive Procedures and Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure using small instruments and a camera to assess or treat certain ankle conditions.

Minimally invasive procedures may sometimes be considered for:

Treatment recommendations depend on imaging findings, symptoms, and functional limitations.

Surgery for Bunions and Foot Deformities

Surgery may occasionally be considered for:

The goals of surgery may include improving alignment, reducing pain, and restoring walking function.

Surgery for Chronic Ankle Instability

Surgery may sometimes be considered when:

Treatment recommendations depend on instability severity and activity demands.

Living with Foot or Ankle Pain

Persistent foot or ankle pain may gradually affect:

Helpful measures may include:

Persistent symptoms should still be medically assessed, especially after injuries or worsening instability.

Why Patients Seek Foot & Ankle Treatment in Singapore

Patients may seek consultation for:

Mash Spine & Orthopaedics provides assessment and treatment for foot and ankle conditions at Farrer Park Medical Centre.

Treatment plans are tailored according to symptoms, imaging findings, sports participation, walking mechanics, and functional goals.

Is heel pain always plantar fasciitis?

Not always. Heel pain may also result from Achilles tendon irritation, stress fractures, nerve irritation, or other conditions.

Can bunions improve without surgery?

Some patients manage symptoms with footwear modification, padding, orthotics, or activity adjustments.

Do repeated ankle sprains mean the ankle is unstable?

Repeated sprains may sometimes lead to chronic ankle instability, particularly if ligaments do not heal properly.

Are flat feet always a problem?

Not always. Some patients with flat feet remain symptom-free, while others develop pain or instability.

What is ankle arthroscopy?

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to assess or treat selected ankle conditions.

When should I seek medical assessment for foot pain?

Persistent pain, swelling, instability, deformity, or symptoms affecting walking should be medically assessed.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Foot & Ankle Problems

If you are experiencing persistent heel pain, ankle instability, sports-related foot injuries, bunions, Achilles tendon pain, or symptoms related to plantar fasciitis, schedule a consultation with Dr Mohd Mashfiqul Arafin Siddiqui at Mash Spine & Orthopaedics in Singapore.

As an orthopaedic and spine doctor in Singapore, Dr Mash provides assessment and treatment for foot and ankle conditions affecting walking, sports participation, mobility, and daily activities.