Foot, Heel or Achilles Pain After Playing Padel? Why It Keeps Coming Back

If you’ve recently taken up padel, you’re not alone. The sport has grown rapidly across the UK and it seems like every week another friend, neighbour or colleague is giving it a go. Closer to home, Epsom now has two local padel venues, The Padel Hub Epsom and Epsom Sports Club, and we’re seeing increasing numbers of players coming into clinic with foot and ankle problems linked to the sport.

Most people don’t come to see us after a major injury. They’re more likely to get help because something isn’t settling as expected. Perhaps they rolled an ankle a few weeks ago and it still doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe their heel hurts after every match, or their Achilles tendon feels stiff each morning despite taking time off. They’ve rested it, changed their footwear and given it time but the same symptoms keep returning.

By the time they come to see us, they’re often less concerned about the original injury and more concerned about why it keeps happening.

That’s something our Clinical Director, Edward Double, sees regularly. As more local players take up padel, he’s seeing an increasing number of foot and ankle problems linked to the sport, particularly recurring ankle sprains, Achilles pain, and heel pain.

What catches people out with padel?

What catches many players out is that padel is much more demanding on the feet and ankles than it appears from the side of the court.

Unlike walking, jogging or even many gym activities, padel involves constant changes of direction, quick reactions, lunging movements and sudden stops. The feet and ankles have to absorb and control these forces repeatedly throughout a match.

For people returning to exercise after a break, or those who have never played a racket sport before, this can place significant demands on tissues that may not be conditioned for those movements. Problems often develop gradually over several weeks rather than as a result of one specific incident.

At Epsom Footcare, Ed regularly sees players who are surprised by how much stress the sport places on the lower limbs. Many start by playing once a week, then increase their court time as their confidence grows. It’s often at this point that aches, stiffness or recurring injuries begin to appear.

Common foot and ankle problems in padel players

Ankle sprains

Ankle sprains are a common injury we see in padel players. A quick change of direction or awkward landing can cause the foot to roll, stretching the ligaments around the ankle.

While the initial pain and swelling often improve within a few weeks, the ankle doesn’t always regain its previous strength and stability.

As a result, many players return to the court feeling largely recovered, only to experience another sprain a few weeks or months later.

Achilles tendon pain

Achilles tendon pain is another frequent complaint. Players often describe stiffness when they first get out of bed in the morning or discomfort that develops during or after a match. Because symptoms can improve after a few days of rest, it’s easy to assume the problem has resolved.

One thing Ed regularly sees is players returning to activity as soon as the pain settles, only to find that the symptoms quickly return. Without addressing the underlying cause, Achilles problems can become increasingly difficult to manage and may start limiting how often someone feels comfortable playing.

Heel pain

Heel pain is another problem we see regularly, particularly in players who have increased their activity levels quickly. Many people notice pain during the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a period of time. The discomfort often eases once they start moving, which can make it tempting to ignore.

Unfortunately, this can lead to symptoms persisting for months before advice is sought. By that stage, the condition is often more established and can take longer to settle.

Ongoing aches and recurring pain

Not every player presents with a clear injury. Sometimes the complaint is simply that the foot or ankle never feels completely right. It may ache after playing, feel stiff the following day or create a lack of confidence when moving around the court.

These issues can be frustrating because there is often no obvious diagnosis from the player’s perspective. Yet they can have a significant impact on confidence, enjoyment of the sport and willingness to stay active.

Why does the pain keep coming back even after rest?

One of the most common things we hear in clinic is, “I stopped playing for a couple of weeks and it felt better, but as soon as I started again the pain came back.” This is often because the pain itself is not the root problem.

Rest may allow irritated tissues to settle, but it doesn’t necessarily address why those tissues became overloaded in the first place. Previous injuries, reduced ankle stability, changes in foot mechanics, weakness, restricted movement or unsuitable footwear can all contribute.

If the underlying cause remains unchanged, the same stresses are placed on the same structures every time someone returns to the court. The symptoms improve temporarily, only to return when activity resumes.

How a musculoskeletal assessment can help

At Epsom Footcare, Ed’s approach is to understand why the problem developed in the first place rather than simply focusing on where it hurts. A musculoskeletal assessment may include looking at how the foot and ankle move under load, joint mobility, muscle strength, stability, previous injuries, footwear and the specific demands being placed on the body during sport.

This helps build a clearer picture of what is contributing to the symptoms and what needs to change to reduce the likelihood of them returning.

Treatment varies depending on the individual. It may involve targeted exercises, mobility work, footwear advice or orthotics where appropriate. Not everyone needs orthotics and not everyone needs to stop playing. The goal is to help people continue enjoying the activities they value while reducing the risk of ongoing problems.

When should you get it checked?

It’s worth considering a musculoskeletal assessment if you have an ankle sprain that keeps recurring, Achilles pain that repeatedly flares up, heel pain that’s not improving, or foot and ankle symptoms that settle with rest but return every time you play. The earlier the cause is identified, the easier it is often to address.

Padel is a fantastic way to stay active and there’s no reason most people cannot continue enjoying it. If foot or ankle pain is affecting your game or keeps returning despite your best efforts, understanding what’s driving the problem is often the first step towards getting back on court comfortably.

How orthotics can help

Orthotics may help when pressure and foot mechanics are part of the problem. The aim is to reduce load around the irritated nerve and improve how forces spread through the forefoot.

For Morton’s neuroma, orthotics often include a metatarsal dome. This is a small raised area placed just behind the painful site. It helps shift pressure away from the irritated nerve during walking and standing.

Orthotics do not remove the neuroma. Their role is to change the pressure that keeps aggravating it. For some people, that can make walking and standing more comfortable. For others, especially when symptoms have been present for a long time, treatment may need a staged approach.

Research on orthotics is mixed. Some studies show that insoles with metatarsal support can reduce pain and improve activity. Other studies have found less benefit. This is why fit, footwear, symptom pattern and diagnosis all matter.

If padel or another racket sport has left you with foot or ankle pain that keeps returning, a musculoskeletal assessment can help identify what’s driving the problem and what can be done about it. Book an appointment with Ed or call our Patient Care Team on 01372 723000.