PATIENT JOURNEY: Overcoming Persistent Heel Pain
The Problem
A female patient attended with a 5-month history of ongoing heel pain that was affecting her daily activities. After being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis following an ultrasound scan arranged by her GP, she tried shockwave therapy and a steroid injection. While the injection provided some relief, her symptoms continued, with pain returning during periods of standing and activity.
She described a burning sensation around the inside of her heel, with occasional ankle discomfort, and rated her pain at 4/10.
Our Assessment
Our assessment identified tenderness around the inside of the heel, alongside tight calf muscles and lower limb movement patterns contributing to increased strain on the plantar fascia.
We diagnosed plantar fasciitis linked to reduced calf flexibility and underlying biomechanical factors.
Personalised Treatment Plan
A tailored approach was developed to reduce stress on the plantar fascia, improve mobility, and support recovery. This included:
- Targeted plantar fascia and calf stretching exercises.
- Footwear advice and guidance on supportive trainers.
- Heel lifts to reduce strain through the foot and ankle.
- Low-Dye strapping to provide short-term support and reduce irritation.
- Advice on activity modification and managing flare-ups.
- Consideration of orthotic support to improve foot mechanics.
- As her symptoms progressed, customised support was introduced using off-the-shelf orthotics with rearfoot wedges and heel lifts to further improve foot function and reduce loading.
The Outcome
By addressing the underlying causes of her heel pain—not just the symptoms—the patient was provided with a structured recovery plan designed to improve comfort, restore function, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Persistent heel pain can often be improved with the right combination of assessment, footwear advice, exercises, and targeted support.