Causes & Treatment of Heel Pain, What to do if you have heel pain

Heel pain affects most adults at some point in their lives. The longer heel pain goes on for, the more difficult heel pain is to cure. If heel pain has been bothering you and it hasn't settled with some rest and a change in activity then you should seek treatment and advice.

HEEL PAIN //

WHY DO I HAVE HEEL PAIN?

Most heel pain is caused by "overuse" of the tissues around the heel. Simply the tissues are suffering repeated micro injury. The rate of injury is happening faster than the rate of repair.

Treating your heel pain must involve an analysis of your biomechanics to find out why you are straining your tissues and then you will need the right advice to help your heel pain to improve.

LIST OF CAUSES OF HEEL PAIN:

Plantar Fasciitis
Non-insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Intrasubstance Split of Achilles Tendon
Calcaneus Stress Fracture
Achilles Tendon Rupture
FHL Tendinopathy
Posterior Ankle Impingement
Os Trigonum
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Seronegative Arthritis
Plantar Fascia Rupture

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QUICK HELP

Activity modification, over the counter heel cushion inserts, trainers and some basic stretching may be all you need.

Please don't let anyone inject your plantar fascia with steroids because it won't actually help the problem to heal but while it is masking your symptoms you may rupture your plantar fascia or worse your Achilles Tendon

XRAYS & APPOINTMENT IF:

If you can't put your heel on the ground at all because it is so painful you may have a stress fracture
If you have seen your GP and tried your GP's advice and you aren't seeing any results
If you have been having physiotherapy without any success

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN CLINIC?

You will have a detailed history and examination, specialist X-rays and most likely an Ultrasound scan but perhaps an MRI scan.
Many in fact most patients do not require surgery.
Whenever possible I will produce a list of the structures that have been injured, the biomechanical imbalances that need to be redressed and a plan for rehabilitation for you
Many patients require insoles
Virtually all patients require physiotherapy
Slant boards for stretching are de rigueur!