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Ankle, shin & Achilles pain
Missing your usual walk, training or time with family can be frustrating. We’ll assess your ankle, shin or Achilles pain and work through what you can do next.
Rolled ankles, calf strains, shin splints and Achilles pain can follow sport or training changes. An assessment helps plan your return.
Tell us what happened and what you’re finding difficult now. We’ll listen, examine the injury and discuss activity, rehabilitation and any imaging or referral you may need.
On this page
How we assess and plan the next step
- We listen to what happened, where the pain is felt, what brings it on and how it affects walking, work, exercise or sport.
- We examine the painful area and may assess movement, strength, walking, footwear and recent changes in activity.
- We explain the likely cause, what remains uncertain and whether medical review, imaging or another referral may be appropriate.
- Together, we agree on a manageable plan. This may involve temporary activity changes, rehabilitation, footwear advice or support such as a walking boot when clinically indicated.
What’s actually going on
An ankle sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, most often from the ankle rolling inward. A calf strain is an overstretch or small tear in the calf muscle, common in sports with sudden acceleration. Shin splints (pain along the front or inside of the shin) usually follow a sudden increase in running volume or a change in surface or footwear. Achilles pain and stiffness behind or above the heel can occur with Achilles tendinopathy. You may also hear it called Achilles tendinitis; assessment helps clarify the cause of your symptoms. Symptoms may be worse first thing in the morning and develop gradually. A sudden snap or injury needs assessment for a different problem, such as a tear.
Other causes we may consider
Lower-leg pain has several look-alikes, and telling them apart changes the plan — which is a big part of what the assessment sorts out:
- Tibial stress fracture — sharp, pinpoint bone pain that worsens with activity and lingers at rest; needs ruling out.
- Chronic compartment syndrome — tight, building pain during exercise that eases with rest.
- Posterior tibial tendinopathy — pain and swelling on the inner ankle, sometimes with the arch flattening.
- Peroneal tendinopathy — pain along the outer ankle, often after repeated sprains.
- Referred pain — symptoms coming from the knee, hip or lower back rather than the leg itself.