Plantar heel pain is an extremely common presentation which can be caused by a number of specific local injuries. It can occur at any age and in any group of people, but is more common in sports and active people, those with high BMI, post-menopausal women and those who are not quick to heal from injuries (eg for medical reasons).
One common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciopathy (also commonly called plantar fasciitis). The arch of the foot and/or heel is painful, often first thing in the morning – sometimes causing the person to limp. This pain often subsides as the foot ‘warms up’ but often recurs later in the day. This pain can be quite debilitating and prevent the person from enjoying their everyday activities.
Causes can include:
- Overload – increased activity without adaptation
- Acute injury
- Some medical conditions and medications
As this is such a common condition, Podiatrists are very experienced in treating it successfully. However, the effectiveness of treatment is very much affected by how promptly treatment is commenced – this can become a chronic injury which can take months (and sometimes years) to resolve.
Treatment may include:
- Load modification programs
- Addressing biomechanical irregularities
- Orthotics / footwear
- Massage
- Exercise or activity modification
- Guided cortisone injection (GP or Radiologist)
- Ultrasonic shock wave therapy
