Heel Pain
We Treat
Why make each step unbearable when you could nip heel pain in the bud?
As one of the leading injury clinics in the northern suburbs; our team provide care to those in Doreen, Epping, Balwyn North & surrounding areas including Mill Park, Yan Yean, Hurstbridge, Yarrambat, Mernda, Whittlesea & South Morang.
What is Heel Pain?
Our feet and ankles are truly impressive – did you know that they’re made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons? The heel bone is actually the largest bone in the foot.
Heel pain is a common orthopedic problem that can cause significant discomfort. Don’t suffer alone; book an assessment with one of our allied health professionals including Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists today to alleviate your symptoms and live life pain-free.
Heel pain can develop at the most unfortunate of times. For sports players, an increased workload puts the bones in your feet under great stress. Heel pain is a common foot complaint and may involve injury to different areas of the foot. Heel pain can be attributed to a number of different injuries, conditions and diseases.
Causes of heel pain:
Overusing or injuring your heel can lead to heel pain, as can a number of medical conditions. It can range from mild discomfort to disabling pain that prevents walking. Some causes of heel pain include: abnormal walking style, obesity, ill-fitting shoes, and standing, running or jumping on hard surfaces.
Common conditions associated with heel pain can include:
Sever’s Disease
Sever’s Disease is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel of growing children, typically adolescents. The condition presents as pain in the heel and is caused by repetitive stress to the heel and is thus particularly common in active children. It is largely a chronic overuse injury.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is a bony growth on the underside of the heel, which is often the result of Plantar Fasciitis.
Other potential causes:
- Sprains and strains
- Tendinopathies
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Bunion
- Stress Fracture
- Shin splints
- Ankle Arthritis
- Fractures
- Soft tissue inflammation
- Bursitis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sciatica
- Neuroma
- Pinched nerve
Heel pain symptoms:
Everyone experiences heel pain differently depending on the cause and severity. Some people describe it as a dull ache in the base of the heel, whereas others experience a sharp stabbing pain or throbbing. Some other symptoms that are often related to heel pain include:
- Bruising
- Cramping
- Pins and needles
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Other skin changes
Diagnosis of Heel Pain
Heel pain is typically diagnosed using one or a combination of diagnosis methods, including medical history, medical imaging, physical assessment, or strength tests and exercises.
Your practitioner will usually begin with a physical examination of your foot. They may ask you to walk about and stand on your toes, as well as ask you questions about the pain (such as when it’s worse and how long you’ve had it).
X-rays are not routine in diagnosing heel pain, however, they are used if a fracture is suspected and can also show a heel spur (if present). Ultrasound and MRI may show increased thickness of the plantar fascia (if it is present).
Heel Pain Treatment
Depending on the severity of the condition, the symptoms presented and the level of pain, heel pain is typically treated using:
- Rest
- Reduction in physical activity until pain has subsided
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Wearing supportive footwear
- Orthotics
- Manual therapy
- Professional strapping
- Flexibility exercises
- Shockwave therapy
- Losing excess weight to reduce stress on your feet
- Use of a CAM Walker/Moon Boot
- Anti-inflammatory medication or painkillers
In some more extreme cases, your practitioner may recommend surgery to correct the issue or treat certain conditions (such as neuroma, bursitis and heel spurs).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you contact a healthcare practitioner?
If you develop heel pain, there is nothing wrong with trying some home remedies (such as rest, reducing physical activity, and RICE) first. If the pain doesn’t improve within two to three weeks, then you should contact a practitioner for further diagnosis.
Contact your practitioner immediately if you’re experiencing:
- Severe pain
- Pain that starts suddenly
- Redness and/or swelling in your heel
- Inability to walk due to pain
Who is most at risk of developing heel pain?
Whilst anyone can suffer from heel pain, certain groups seem to be at increased risk. These include:
- Middle-aged men and women
- People who are physically active
- People who are overweight or obese
- People who are on their feet for long periods
- Children between 8 and 13 years old (particularly boys)
- Women during pregnancy
Can heel pain be prevented?
It may not be possible to prevent all cases of heel pain, however, there are some steps you can take to avoid injuring the heel area. These include:
- Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot
- Wear appropriate shoes for physical activity
- Stretch your muscles before exercising
- Pace yourself during physical activity
- Rest when you feel tired or your muscles are sore
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
Why Choose Muscle Joint Bone?
Diverse Treatments
Our clinics offer a diverse range of treatments (including clinical pilates, massage and shockwave therapy).
Three Clinic Locations
We have clinics on Hazel Glen Drive in Doreen, on Childs Road in Epping and Doncaster Road in Balwyn North, all of which are open from Monday to Sunday.
NDIS Provider
We are an NDIS registered provider, so rest assured that we can help relieve and treat your pain if you have an NDIS plan in place. Please contact our reception team for more information.
Book Your Appointment
As one of the leading injury clinics in the northern suburbs; our team provide care to those in Doreen, Epping, Balwyn North and surrounding areas including Mill Park, Yan Yean, Hurstbridge, Yarrambat, Mernda, Whittlesea and South Morang. For more information on how Muscle Joint Bone can help you, or to book an appointment, contact us today!
