Foot pain is easy to dismiss, particularly after a long day on your feet, starting a new exercise routine or wearing different shoes. Sometimes mild discomfort settles with rest, but pain that persists, keeps returning or begins affecting the way you walk deserves attention.
Your feet and ankles contain a complex network of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Pain can have many possible causes, from footwear and overuse to injuries, arthritis, and underlying medical conditions.
Podiatrists are university-trained allied health professionals who assess, diagnose and manage conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Healthdirect recommends seeing a podiatrist if you have pain or other problems involving your feet, ankles or lower limbs.
So, when should you book a podiatrist appointment? Here are some signs it may be time for an assessment.
1. Your Foot Pain Isn’t Going Away
Occasional tired or aching feet can happen, particularly after increased activity.
Persistent pain is different.
Consider a podiatrist appointment if your foot pain:
- Does not improve
- Keeps returning
- Becomes progressively worse
- Makes walking uncomfortable
- Prevents you from participating in usual activities
- Causes you to change the way you walk
- Is interfering with work, exercise or everyday life
Persistent pain can have many possible causes, and determining the underlying problem is important before deciding on treatment.
The Australian Podiatry Association advises that painful or tired feet and lower limbs can be reasons to seek professional podiatry assessment rather than simply accepting foot pain as part of everyday life.
2. You Have Persistent Heel or Arch Pain
Heel pain is a common reason people seek help for their feet.
One possible cause is plantar fasciitis, which involves irritation of the plantar fascia the strong tissue running along the bottom of the foot.
Other causes of heel pain can include:
- Achilles tendon problems
- Bursitis
- Stress fractures
- Arthritis
- Bruising
- Nerve-related conditions
Healthdirect advises seeing a healthcare professional when heel pain does not go away. A doctor may recommend a podiatrist appointment or assessment by a physiotherapist depending on the circumstances.
Because different conditions can produce similar symptoms, persistent heel pain should not automatically be assumed to be plantar fasciitis. A podiatrist appointment can help assess the possible cause and determine appropriate management.
3. Ankle Discomfort Keeps Returning
Ankle pain may occur after a sprain or other injury, but persistent or recurring ankle of discomfort can sometimes indicate that further assessment is needed.
Consider seeking professional advice if you experience:
- Repeated ankle sprains
- Persistent swelling
- Pain when walking
- Ankle instability
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Reduced movement
- Pain that returns during exercise
Podiatrists are trained to assess foot and lower-limb conditions, including sprains and other injuries.
An assessment can help determine whether the symptoms relate to the ankle itself, the way you walk, or another lower-limb issue.
4. Your Foot Pain Is Affecting the Way You Walk
Pain can cause people to unconsciously change the way they move.
You might:
- Limp
- Avoid putting weight on one side
- Roll your foot differently
- Take shorter steps
- Avoid certain movements
These compensations can sometimes contribute to discomfort elsewhere in the lower limb.
During a podiatrist appointment, a podiatrist may assess your gait, which is the way you walk, along with the structure and movement of your feet and lower limbs. The Australian Podiatry Association notes that biomechanical assessment may be used to understand how gait relates to symptoms.
If foot pain is changing the way you walk, booking a podiatrist appointment can help identify potential factors contributing to your symptoms.
5. You Have a Bunions, Corns or Calluses That Are Causing Pain
Some foot problems are visible before they become painful.
Common conditions include:
- Bunions
- Corns
- Calluses
- Plantar warts
- Ingrown toenails
- Thickened or discoloured nails
Healthdirect notes that corns and calluses can develop because of pressure from footwear or walking, while bunions can cause discomfort when walking or wearing shoes.
If these problems become painful, repeatedly return, or make footwear difficult, a podiatrist can assess the underlying cause and discuss appropriate management.
Avoid attempting to cut out corns or aggressively remove thickened skin yourself, particularly if you have diabetes or problems with circulation.
6. You Keep Getting Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into or presses against the surrounding skin.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Infection in some cases
Recurring ingrown toenails may be related to nail shape, footwear, injury or the way nails are trimmed.
Podiatrists manage ingrown toenails and other nail conditions and can assess whether conservative treatment or another approach may be appropriate.
Seek medical attention promptly if there are signs of infection, particularly if you have diabetes or another condition affecting circulation or healing.
7. Your Shoes Have Become Uncomfortable
If shoes that previously fitted comfortably suddenly cause pressure or pain, your feet may have changed.
Changes in:
- Foot shape
- Toe position
- Arch structure
- Swelling
- Joint movement
can all affect how footwear feels.
Healthdirect and the Australian Podiatry Association both identify difficulty fitting comfortably into regular shoes as a reason someone may benefit from podiatry assessment.
A podiatrist can assess your feet and discuss footwear considerations based on your individual needs.
8. You Have Diabetes and Notice Changes in Your Feet
Foot care is particularly important for people with diabetes.
Diabetes can affect nerves and blood circulation in the feet. This may make injuries harder to notice and, in some people, slower to heal.
Foot changes requiring attention can include:
- Cuts or wounds
- Blisters
- Redness
- Swelling
- Changes in skin colour
- Numbness or tingling
- Corns or calluses
- Changes in foot shape
Healthdirect specifically recommends podiatry care for people with diabetes who have foot problems, while podiatrists can also help manage foot complications associated with diabetes.
People with diabetes should discuss an appropriate foot-care routine with their healthcare team based on their individual risk.
9. You Notice Numbness, Tingling or Changes in Sensation
Foot problems are not always painful.
Changes in sensation can include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pins and needles
- Burning sensations
- Reduced ability to feel temperature or pressure
There are many possible causes, including nerve compression and medical conditions affecting peripheral nerves. During a podiatrist appointment, a podiatrist can assess your foot and lower-limb symptoms and determine whether management within podiatry is appropriate or whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
Persistent or worsening numbness should not simply be ignored. Booking a podiatrist appointment can help ensure that changes in sensation are assessed appropriately.
10. You Have Swelling, Redness or a Foot Wound
Changes to the skin and soft tissues can also warrant assessment.
The Australian Podiatry Association lists swelling, lumps and redness among reasons to see a podiatrist.
Seek healthcare advice if you notice:
- Persistent swelling
- Red or inflamed areas
- A wound that is slow to heal
- Changes in skin colour
- Unexplained lumps
- Ulcers
- Signs of infection
A wound that is not healing is particularly important to assess if you have diabetes, circulation problems or reduced sensation in your feet.
What Happens During a Podiatrist Appointment?
Your first podiatrist appointment usually begins with a discussion about your symptoms and health history.
The podiatrist may ask:
- Where the pain occurs
- When it started
- What makes it better or worse
- Whether you have had previous injuries
- What activities or exercise you perform
- What footwear you usually wear
- Whether you have diabetes, arthritis or other medical conditions
- Which medicines you take
They may then examine your feet, ankles, and lower limbs.
Depending on your symptoms, the assessment may also look at:
- Joint movement
- Muscle strength
- Foot structure
- Areas of tenderness
- Skin and nails
- Gait and walking pattern
- Footwear
Podiatrists are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage a broad range of conditions involving the feet and lower limbs.
Will You Need an X-Ray or Scan?
Not necessarily.
Many foot and ankle conditions can initially be assessed through your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. During your podiatrist appointment, your podiatrist will determine whether further investigation is needed based on your symptoms and assessment.
Depending on the findings, imaging may sometimes be appropriate. This could include:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
For example, Healthdirect notes that heel pain can often be diagnosed clinically, with imaging sometimes used depending on the suspected cause. Podiatrists can request relevant radiological imaging when clinically indicated as part of your podiatrist appointment.
Does Foot Pain Always Mean You Need Orthotics?
No.
Orthotics can be appropriate for some foot and lower-limb problems, but they are not necessary for every person with foot pain. During your podiatrist appointment, your podiatrist can assess your symptoms and determine whether orthotics may be appropriate for your specific needs.
Treatment depends on what is causing the symptoms.
Depending on your diagnosis, management might involve:
- Activity modification
- Footwear advice
- Exercises
- Stretching or strengthening
- Strapping
- Orthoses when clinically appropriate
- Skin or nail treatment
- Referral to another healthcare professional
There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every type of foot pain, and your treatment plan can be discussed during your podiatrist appointment.
When Is Foot or Ankle Pain More Urgent?
Some symptoms require more immediate medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine podiatrist appointment.
Seek prompt medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden severe pain following an injury
- Inability to stand or bear weight
- An obviously deformed foot or ankle
- Significant swelling
- A foot that becomes unusually pale or cool
- Sudden numbness or weakness
- Increasing redness, warmth or swelling
- Fever with signs of infection
- A significant or worsening wound
Healthdirect advises urgent assessment for symptoms such as sudden severe pain, inability to use the limb properly, unusual coolness or paleness, numbness and weakness, or redness and warmth.
Sudden calf or heel pain during exercise can also require prompt assessment because it may indicate an Achilles tendon rupture. For a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000) rather than waiting for a podiatrist appointment.
Do You Need a GP Referral to See a Podiatrist?
In many circumstances, you can make a private podiatrist appointment without first obtaining a GP referral.
However, some patients with chronic medical conditions may be eligible for Medicare-subsidised allied health services when specific requirements are met, and a GP considers allied health care clinically appropriate.
Private health insurance coverage also varies between policies.
If you are unsure, check with the clinic, your GP, Medicare, or your private health insurer before booking your podiatrist appointment.
How Can You Look After Your Feet Between Appointments?
Good everyday foot care can help protect your feet.
Consider:
- Wearing shoes that fit comfortably
- Checking your feet regularly for skin or nail changes
- Keeping feet clean and dry
- Gradually increasing new exercise or activity
- Avoiding activities that repeatedly aggravate an injury
- Seeking advice for persistent pain rather than repeatedly pushing through it
If you have diabetes or another condition affecting circulation or sensation, follow the foot-care advice provided by your healthcare team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book a podiatrist appointment?
Consider seeing a podiatrist if you have persistent foot, ankle or lower-limb pain, recurring injuries, difficulty walking, painful skin or nail problems, swelling or other changes affecting your feet.
How long should I wait before seeing a podiatrist for foot pain?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every type of foot pain. If pain persists, repeatedly returns, worsens, or begins affecting walking and everyday activities, professional assessment may be appropriate. Sudden or severe symptoms may require more urgent medical attention.
Can a podiatrist help with heel pain?
Yes. Podiatrists can assess heel and arch pain and help determine the underlying cause. Plantar fasciitis is one possible cause, but heel pain can also result from tendon problems, bursitis, arthritis, stress fractures, and other conditions.
Can a podiatrist help with ankle discomfort?
Podiatrists assess conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs, including injuries and biomechanical problems. Persistent or recurrent ankle of discomfort can therefore be appropriate for podiatry assessment.
Should people with diabetes see a podiatrist?
Podiatrists can play an important role in managing foot problems associated with diabetes. The frequency and type of foot assessment required depends on the individual’s foot-health risk and medical circumstances.
Will I automatically need orthotics for foot pain?
No. Orthotics are only one possible management option. Appropriate treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms and findings from your assessment.
The Bottom Line
Foot and ankle pain should not automatically be accepted as something you have to live with.
If discomfort persists, repeatedly returns or starts affecting walking, exercise, work or everyday activities, it may be appropriate to book a podiatrist appointment.
Podiatrists can assess conditions involving the feet, ankles and lower limbs, including heel and arch pain, recurring ankle problems, skin and nail conditions, injuries and foot complications associated with conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.
If you’re experiencing ongoing foot pain or ankle discomfort, you can contact Botanic Ridge Doctors to ask about available podiatry services and whether a podiatry assessment may be suitable for your concerns.
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