What’s wrong with my feet / ankles?

[RectangleCushion]

For the last couple of months I’ve had an issue with my feet / ankles. It only happens when I first get up from bed or when I get up from sitting for any length of time. When I stand, it’s almost like my ankles won’t move and I can’t quite walk - for the first 30 seconds I have to limp. Once I get going I’m fine (I was walking in the Peaks last weekend and gym twice a week). It feels more than just normal stiffness, and it’s every single time I get up from sitting, even if it’s only 5 minutes, regardless of position. There’s no pain, although I do, very occasionally, get a very intense, hot pain in one ankle which doesn’t seem to relate to movement at all - usually happens when I’m sitting still.

Any ideas? Or just getting older (I’m 45)?

My bones started to do this with perimenopause. They still go - my legs just won't start going!

The not being able to move for a few minutes after getting up is typical of osteo-arthritis. I'd ask the GP about it.

Thanks both - I think I’ll see my GP - it doesn’t seem to be going away, so best to get checked!

Read up about Plantar fasciitis.
I had similar symptoms for very long time and they went away with, I think, me doing a lot of walking but who knows if that was making difference or some other hormonal changes during my Peri.
There are exercises you can follow.

See if heel drops and runners stretches help. I get like this after sitting and it's because my Achilles tendon tightens up

I'm like this, have been since my early forties. Thought it was normal tbh 🙈

It might be arthritis.

I had similar issues with my knees from mid 40s. It got slowly worse and finally at 53 I had an X-ray and my GP says it's arthritis. I thought it was peri-menopause too. Mine are worst when I first get up in the morning or have been sitting for a long time. It eases off when I start moving. Annoys the hell out of me as I feel like a 90 year old getting out of bed and hobbling around.