Heel Pain

Heel Pain is a common presentation to GP Practices, causing a management dilemma. Early referral is important, as it is rare for resolution without treatment. Generally, the longer it’s left, the longer it takes to heal!

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, although, there are other causes. Another common cause is Fat Pad syndrome (‘bruised heel’ or ‘stone bruise’). This is usually caused by a fall onto the heels from a height, or excessive heel strike when walking/running. Other less common causes include stress fractures and nerve entrapment.

There are many factors that contribute to Heel Pain including:

• Poor ankle range of movement/tight calves
• Foot posture, motion & function (eg. pes planus or extreme pes cavus)
• Prolonged standing
• Training changes
• Poor footwear
• Age, height and weight

Both Physiotherapists & Podiatrists can help to treat this condition.

Physiotherapy;

A Physiotherapist can give advice on what changes in activity are needed, and also help treat any calf and plantar fascia tightness or ankle and foot joint stiffness, tape the foot to alter its biomechanics, and prescribe exercises to manage the problem.

Podiatry;

A Podiatrist can give footwear advice to help alleviate the problem, and can also assist by prescribing orthoses if poor foot posture appears to be the main problem.  Orthoses are particularly useful in chronic or resistant cases of Plantar Fasciitis, as long term cases tend to be caused through poor biomechanics.