Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees patients with foot and ankle pain at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. Wear or bring the shoes you use most, for work, walking or sport, because how they wear shows how you walk. If you have had an X-ray or scan elsewhere, bring the images and the report.
What is foot and ankle pain?
The foot and ankle carry your whole body weight with every step, so pain here quickly gets in the way of daily life. Common causes are a twisted ankle (sprain), pain under the heel from an inflamed band of tissue in the sole (plantar fasciitis), pain at the back of the heel from the Achilles tendon, arthritis of the ankle or foot joints, and fractures after a fall or injury. Some children and adults have a foot shape, such as a flat foot, that adds to the strain. Most foot and ankle pain gets better without surgery.
Common signs
- Pain under the heel, often worst with the first steps in the morning.
- Pain, swelling or bruising after twisting your ankle.
- Pain or stiffness at the back of the heel, above the shoe.
- An ankle that keeps giving way or feels unstable.
- Aching, stiff or swollen foot or ankle joints, or a change in the shape of the foot.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon who sees patients with foot and ankle pain. His CV lists the treatment of foot and ankle deformities in children. He starts by finding the cause: a sprain, a tendon problem, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, a fracture or the shape of the foot. He looks at how you stand and walk and at the shoes you wear, then explains the treatment and what to expect.
What to expect
Consultation
He asks how the pain started, when it is worst, and about your work, sport and footwear.
Examination
He checks where it is tender, how the joints move, how stable the ankle is, and how you stand and walk.
Scans if needed
An X-ray shows fractures and arthritis. An ultrasound or MRI is used for tendons and ligaments when needed.
Treatment plan
Rest from what provokes the pain, then stretching and strengthening exercises, supportive shoes or insoles, and pain relief. A physiotherapist can guide the exercises.
Review
He checks your progress and changes the plan if the pain is not settling.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- A mild ankle sprain usually improves within a few weeks; a bad one can take a few months.
- Heel pain from plantar fasciitis often takes several months to settle, but most people get better without surgery.
- Stretching the calf and the sole of the foot every day helps heel and Achilles pain.
- Supportive shoes help more than flat sandals or going barefoot on hard floors while the pain settles.
Risks to know about
- Going back to sport too soon after a sprain makes it more likely the ankle will give way again.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if foot or ankle pain has not improved after a few weeks, or keeps coming back. Book sooner if you cannot walk normally, the ankle keeps giving way, or you have diabetes and a foot problem. Go to emergency care straight away if you cannot put any weight on the foot after an injury, the foot or ankle looks deformed, or the foot is cold, pale or numb.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
Can wearing sandals or slippers all day cause heel pain?
Flat, thin-soled footwear gives the heel and arch little support, and long hours standing or walking on hard floors in them can add to heel pain. Cushioned shoes with arch support often help while it settles.
Why does my heel hurt in the morning?
Pain under the heel that is worst with the first steps after rest is typical of plantar fasciitis, an irritation of the band of tissue in the sole of the foot. Daily stretches, supportive shoes and easing off long standing usually help.
Is my ankle broken or sprained?
It can be hard to tell without an examination. If you cannot put weight on it, or the bone itself is very tender, an X-ray is needed to check for a fracture.
Does my child need treatment for flat feet?
Most flat feet in children are flexible, cause no pain and need no treatment. A stiff or painful flat foot, or one that is getting worse, should be checked by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.