Osteoarthritis (OA) in the ankle and foot can significantly impact your daily life, making walking, standing, and even simple movements painful and difficult. At Buxton and Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic , we specialise in diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle for patients not just in Buxton and Bakewell but throughout the Peak District and Derbyshire, and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience helping people live pain-free, our local team offers personalised, hands-on osteopathic care designed to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
What is Foot Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where the protective cartilage between bones wears down over time. Cartilage works like a shock absorber, reducing friction when joints move. As it deteriorates, the bones in your ankle and foot begin to rub together, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
In the feet, OA most commonly affects:
The big toe joint is a key joint that absorbs pressure as you walk.
The mid-foot joints help with balance and propulsion.
The ankle joint is where the shinbone (tibia) meets the foot bone (talus).
Common Causes
Osteoarthritis of the ankle and foot can develop due to:
Age-related wear and tear
Previous injuries (sprains, fractures)
Overuse or repetitive stress
Biomechanical imbalances (e.g., over-pronation)
Excessive weight placing more pressure on joints
These factors can all contribute to cartilage breakdown, leading to pain and limited movement.
Symptoms of Ankle & Foot Osteoarthritis
Signs you may be experiencing osteoarthritis in your foot or ankle include:
- Persistent joint pain particularly during or after activity
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning
- Swelling or tenderness around the joint
- Reduced range of motion
- Pain that gets worse during or after extended walking or standing
- A grinding sensation in the joint
The symptoms often develop slowly and can vary from mild discomfort to debilitating pain.
Why Early Osteopathic Treatment Matters
Ignoring ankle and foot osteoarthritis can lead to compensatory movement patterns — which in turn can contribute to knee, hip, or back pain. Early assessment and treatment help:
- Maintain joint mobility
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improve walking mechanics
- Strengthen supporting muscles and tissues
- Prevent further degeneration
Our osteopathic approach goes beyond symptom relief — we treat the root cause by assessing how your entire body functions, from foot mechanics to posture to gait
Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe and mid-foot
Typical symptoms: Typically a slow progressive stiffening of the joints (especially the big toe) with a dull constant pain and swelling.
Osteoarthritis (OA) causes cartilage in a joint to wear down. Cartilage is basically a material that lines bony surfaces in joints. It helps prevent friction and fundamentally acts as a ‘shock absorber’. When cartilage is compressed it can deform and change shape due to its high water content. Although it can undergo a degree of repair, once damaged the body does not grow new cartilage. Pain in OA occurs because bony surfaces make contact with one another as the cartilage degrades. OA can affect any of the 33 joints in the feet, but the most common site is the base of the big toe.
This joint is more prone to wear and tear because of its significance in the gait cycle as you walk. Most of the force is generated from and attenuated by your big toe joint as your foot pushes off and lands as you walk.
The forces absorbed during walking over time, especially if you roll your foot excessively inwards as you walk (over-pronation) can cause the cartilage to erode. Eventually your big toe may become much less mobile (a condition known as hallux rigidus) which makes walking difficult. Alternatively, your big toe may drift towards your other toes (hallux valgus) and this can lead to bunions. There is also a significant amount of force that crosses the joints in the middle of the foot (known as tarsal bones) as the foot propels us forward during walking or running. If the cartilage wears in these bony structures that comprise your midfoot, this can generate pain as bones starts to rub against bone.
Anterior Ankle Impingement
Typical symptoms: Pain at the front of the ankle especially when the foot is forced upwards into dorsiflexion.
Anterior ankle impingement is a common problem that is typified by pain at the front of the ankle. This pain is typically exacerbated by moving your foot upward (dorsiflexion).
The ankle joint comprises two bones called the tibia and talus that glide over and articulate with one another during movement patterns such as walking and running. Like all joints they have cartilage that helps cushion movement as they correspond with each other during weight bearing activity.
During these movements the ankle approximates with the shinbone in a movement called ‘dorsiflexion’ (so effectively the foot and shin move towards one another). This generates compressive forces at the front of the ankle joint. This can characteristically be tolerated but if these forces are excessive (common in some sports or in dancers especially) damage can occur that causes impingement of the joint capsule at the front of the ankle. If this compression continues it can result in bony spurs forming as a result of the cumulative repetition.
Treatment can be conservative. Recommendations can be made regarding footwear choice, activities can be restricted and the ankle can be taped. More severe presentations may require surgery in order to remove a bony spur.
How Osteopathy Helps with Osteoarthritis
Osteopathy is a holistic, evidence-based manual therapy that focuses on improving the way your body moves and functions. For ankle and foot osteoarthritis, osteopathic treatment may include:
🟢 Joint Mobilisation
Gentle mobilisation of the ankle and foot joints helps restore movement and reduce stiffness. These techniques improve flexibility and ease daily activities.
🟢 Soft Tissue Techniques
We use hands-on soft tissue work to relieve muscle tension and scar tissue build-up around painful joints. This increases circulation and helps reduce pain.
🟢 Biomechanical Assessment
Our practitioners assess your gait, foot structure, and movement patterns to identify underlying imbalances that might be contributing to your symptoms.
🟢 Tailored Advice & Exercises
You’ll receive personalised guidance on exercises to maintain strength and flexibility, recommended footwear choices, and lifestyle modifications to support long-term comfort and function.
Supportive Treatments We Offer in Buxton
At Buxton Osteopathy Clinic, we combine osteopathy with advanced therapies for comprehensive care:
💡 Focused & Radial Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps accelerate healing and reduce chronic pain by stimulating circulation and tissue repair.
🔴 Laser Therapy
Our clinic uses cutting-edge laser technology to help reduce inflammation and pain in arthritic joints — a useful adjunct to manual osteopathy.
🦶 Customised Treatment Plans
Each patient receives a tailored plan that considers age, activity level, pain severity, and lifestyle goals — ensuring care that’s specific to your needs.
Lifestyle & Self-Care for Osteoarthritis
Alongside professional treatment, simple day-to-day choices can make a big difference in managing symptoms:
👣 Wear Supportive Footwear
Shoes with good cushioning and arch support can significantly ease joint pressure. Avoid tight, high-heeled, or unsupported footwear when possible — especially if you’re on your feet a lot.
⚖️ Stay Active
Activities like walking, swimming, or cycling help keep your muscles strong and joints lubricated. Inactivity, surprisingly, can worsen stiffness. Low-impact exercise is a key part of managing osteoarthritis.
🧴 Joint Care at Home
Gentle stretching and mobility exercises can be done daily. Ice or heat packs can also help manage flare-ups when joints feel painful or swollen.
🍎 Healthy Weight & Nutrition
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on the joints. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, oily fish, and nuts can also support overall joint health.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
If you’re booking your first visit to Buxton Osteopathy for ankle or foot osteoarthritis, here’s how it works:
Comprehensive Assessment
We’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and how your pain affects your daily life. A physical examination of your foot, ankle, posture, and gait follows.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Based on your unique presentation, we’ll design a treatment plan that combines manual therapy, exercises, and supportive therapies.
Ongoing Support
We set achievable goals and regularly review your progress to make sure you are improving safely and effectively.
Real Patients — Real Results in Buxton & Derbyshire
Over the last 20 years, Buxton Osteopathy has helped hundreds of local patients reduce foot and ankle pain, walk more comfortably, and return to the activities they love. Our personalised, hands-on care combined with advanced therapies has earned us 5.0 ratings on Google and a reputation as trusted osteopaths in Buxton and Derbyshire.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Experienced practitioners with deep expertise in musculoskeletal health
Personalised care plans that address causes, not just symptoms
Flexible appointment times, including weekends
Two convenient clinics in Buxton and Bakewell
Frequently Asked Questions
Is osteoarthritis in the ankle common?
Yes — while less common than knee or hip OA, ankle osteoarthritis can develop after injury or due to long-term stress on the joints.
Can I still walk with ankle OA?
Yes, and staying active with supportive care can help. But it’s important to adjust activities and use appropriate footwear to avoid flare-ups.
Will osteopathy cure osteoarthritis?
Osteopathy doesn’t “cure” OA because cartilage loss is permanent. However, it significantly reduces pain, improves movement, and helps you manage symptoms without resorting to medication or surgery in many cases.
Book Your Appointment in Buxton or Bakewell Today
If you’re struggling with foot or ankle osteoarthritis pain in Buxton, Derbyshire, Chapel-en-le-Frith, or surrounding areas, our experienced osteopaths can help you take back control of your mobility and comfort.
👉 Call us at 01298 214994 (Buxton clinic) or
👉 01629 812800 (Bakewell clinic) to book your appointment today.
You can also book online via our website and start your path to pain-free movement
