Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)

heel pain

The Foot Clinic has a dedicated Heel Pain Clinic for the rapid assessment and effective treatment of this common problem.

One in ten people will experience heel pain and for many, the problem will have a very significant impact upon their lives.

The Heel Pain Clinic has been established to provide a comprehensive service, offering the full range of advanced treatment options for people with long term, intractable heel pain.

About heel pain

Where does it hurt?

There are two main types of heel pain, occurring in different places. A small number of people will have pain in both areas of the heel.

The ‘grumbling’ Achilles is known medically as non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Although a rupture of the Achilles is well known, it is actually more common to have what is known as a grumbling Achilles. The pain is felt at the back of the heel above where the Achilles tendon joins the bone. It feels stiff and swollen, particularly in the morning and can prevent the sufferer from taking part in sport. Sometimes the pain is lower down where the tendon joins the bone. This Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is less common.

‘Policeman’s heel’, known medically as plantar fasciitis because it occurs in a tendon called the fascia. The fascia is a strong band of tissue stretching from your heel to your toe bones. It supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber in the foot. Pain is felt at the bottom of the heel where it connects with the ground in each step. Pain and stiffness often leaves patients “hobbling” for the first few minutes in the morning. The pain can be severe, especially after standing for a long time. Plantar fasciitis is very common indeed and one of the main reasons for seeing a foot specialist.

Why does it hurt?

‘Policeman’s heel’, known medically as plantar fasciitis because it occurs in a tendon called the fascia. The fascia is a strong band of tissue stretching from your heel to your toe bones. It supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber in the foot. Pain is felt at the bottom of the heel where it connects with the ground in each step. Pain and stiffness often leaves patients “hobbling” for the first few minutes in the morning. The pain can be severe, especially after standing for a long time. Plantar fasciitis is very common indeed and one of the main reasons for seeing a foot specialist.

Doing too much, particularly sport which has a high impact on the heel, such as long distance running.

Doing too little and becoming overweight due to sedentary lifestyle and therefore putting the heel under excess pressure.

Having very tight calf muscles. This is a problem some people are simply born with. The effect of having very tight muscles is like walking permanently on tip toes, putting the Achilles tendon and the arch of the foot under increased strain.

How is heel pain treated?

The first line of treatment for heel pain should always be calf stretching exercises. You should be seen by a Chiropodist who will demonstrate exactly how to do calf stretching exercises correctly. Footwear modifications can also be very helpful. At the Foot Clinic, we see many patients who are still in significant pain despite trying conservative treatment. For this group of patients we offer:

  • 1) Ultrasound therapy
  • 2) A course of injections
  • 3) Custom cast Orthotics

How do we assess the best treatment for each patient?

Our consultant foot and ankle specialists will carry out a full examination of your foot. This can be combined with an ultrasound scan.

Ultrasound therapy for heel pain

If ultrasound therapy is indicated as the best treatment for your heel pain, you will have your first session during your initial visit to the Foot Clinic Heel Pain Clinic.

Each session takes approximately 3–5 minutes. You will sit in the treatment chair while the ultrasound is applied with a machine rather like a small pneumatic press.

Patients experience some discomfort during the procedure and there may be a little redness on the skin after treatment. Exceptionally, the heel pain becomes slightly worse after treatment before getting better. A total of five or six sessions are needed, with no more than one to two weeks between each session.

We use the latest ultrasound therapy machine. This is more effective than older machines which focused energy on a limited area, or ‘pin-head’. The new technology works by emitting the energy like the ripples from throwing a stone into water.

How does ultrasound therapy for heel pain work?

It is understood that ultrasound therapy works in two ways:

1)Ultrasound cause micro damage to tissue in the affected area and in so doing, stimulate healing. Nature gets a second chance.

2) The treatment has a direct effect on the nerve endings which make them less sensitive and therefore less likely to transmit pain. The benefit of ultrasound therapy for heel pain is often not felt until after the third session. The treatment works well for 80 per cent of patients. The effect of the treatment is usually permanent and there is no need to return for further sessions at a later date.

Share your love

Newsletter Updates

Enter your email address below and subscribe to our newsletter

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *