Heel pain is one of the most common form of foot problem. It can be a result of different conditions and an assessment should to be done for proper diagnosis before treatment begins. The three most common form of heel pain we see and treat are plantar fasciitis, heel spur and achilles tendonitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition that involves the inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connect the heel bones to the base of the toe.  It typically manifest itself with a painful first step out of bed in the morning.  If you also experience heel pain following a period of sitting down you most likely have plantar fasciitis.

Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis but it more often occurs in people who wear inadequate shoes, are overweight, or who are very active on their feet such as labourers, runners or athletes.

Heel Spur is a bony-like growth that extends between the heel bone and arch. It can sometime be seen and feel on the underside of the foot and is made up of calcium deposit. Like plantar fasciitis it involves inflammation and often occur in people who have plantar fasciitis.

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the achilles is overused or injured. It is a painful condition as inflammation or degeneration occurs. The Achilles tendon is the large thick band of tissue at the back of the ankle and connect the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is use when walking, running, jumping and climbing stairs or any kind of lunging activity.

Custom orthotics, orthopedic shoes and plantar fasciitis sleeves are good foot solutions for heel pain.

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Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot problem we treat. If your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in the heel of your foot, you may have plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury that affects the sole of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.

Typically patients report a gradual onset of heel/arch pain. The pain can be sharp and is often worse with the first few steps in the morning or after extended periods of non-weight bearing rest such as eating lunch or driving in a car, where the plantar fascia contracts back to its original shape and inflammation collects around the injury site. In more chronic cases, the pain can become more constant and dull, present for most of the day.

Causes

You’re more likely to develop the condition if you’re:

  • Female
  • Overweight
  • Have a job that requires a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces.
  • Walk or run for exercise, especially if you have tight calf muscles that limit how far you can flex your ankles.
  • Have very flat feet
  • Have very high arches

If you don’t treat plantar fasciitis, it may become a chronic condition. You may not be able to keep up your level of activity, and you may develop symptoms of foot, knee, hip and back problems because plantar fasciitis can change the way you walk.

Treatments we provide

  • Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is one of the best treatment for plantar fasciitis as it stretches and strengthens the small muscles of the foot and encourage blood flow and reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Custom Made Orthotics. Orthotics are effective long and short term treatment of plantar fasciitis, which treats current pain and prevents the pain from returning. Orthotics works by improving the alignment and function of the foot and most importantly, stopping the micro-tearing of the plantar fascia with each step
  • Night Splints. Night Splints are designed to keep the plantar fascia in an elongated position overnight to reduce the initial stretch/tear that occurs upon taking the first morning step.
  • Shoes. Comfortable Shoes are supportive footwear for both indoor and outdoor and plays an important role in the recovery of plantar fasciitis.
  • Laser Therapy. Laser introduces light energy into the body to improve circulation and reduce inflammation as well to increase the cells’ function and stimulate healing to the injured area of the plantar fascia.
  • TENS. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation uses electrical impulses to stimulate the nerve endings at or near the site of pain diminishing the pain and replacing it with tingling or massage like sensation and is part of an overall pain-management program.
  • EMS. Electrical Muscle Stimulation is used to prevent or reduce muscle atrophy by increasing: blood flow, range of motion and muscle strength.
  • Hot & Cold Therapy. Alternating heat and ice causes the circulation in the region of the plantar fascia to open and then close reducing inflammation.
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