What you may feel
- Pain that repeatedly appears with the same movement or training.
- Pain may begin after exercise and later occur during activity.
- Local tenderness, stiffness or mild swelling may occur.
- Strength, movement or sporting performance may decline.
- Focal bone tenderness or pain at rest needs specific assessment.
How it is assessed
Assessment reviews load changes, recovery, technique and local pain. Focal bone pain may require further investigation.
Explain how far you can walk, which footwear you use and which movements hurt. Mention recent injury or changes in activity.
Approaches to care
Return to sport is staged, maintaining tolerable activity and monitoring the pain response.
Discuss realistic walking, work or exercise goals with your clinician. At follow-up, describe changes after activity and how long pain lasted.
When to seek urgent help
Inability to bear weight after injury, a hot red joint with fever, or a suddenly cold pale foot need urgent assessment.
Further reading: NIAMS / NIH
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.