Heel Pain Treatment

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons people seek podiatry care — and it can affect your ability to walk, work, and enjoy everyday activities. At Adelaide Hills Podiatry, we offer a thorough assessment and evidence-based treatment options tailored to the cause of your heel pain.

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Common Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain can result from a range of conditions, including:

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• Plantar fasciopathy – commonly called plantar fasciitis; degeneration of the ligament under the foot

• Fat pad syndrome – thinning or displacement of the heel’s cushioning

• Achilles tendinopathy – pain at the back of the heel

• Bursitis – inflammation of a fluid-filled sac under or behind the heel

• Sever’s disease – a growth-related condition in children and adolescents

• Nerve entrapment – such as Baxter’s nerve entrapment, which can cause burning, tingling, or sharp pain around the heel

 

Our Assessment Process

We take a thorough approach to uncover the root cause of your pain:

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• Detailed history and physical exam

• Foot posture and gait assessment

• Diagnostic ultrasound – often used to visualise the plantar fascia and surrounding structures

• Footwear review 

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Evidence-Based Treatment Options​

At Adelaide Hills Podiatry, we follow the best practice guide for managing plantar heel pain, as published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2021). Treatment is tailored to your needs and may include:

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• Education and activity modification

• Stretching and strengthening exercises

• Footwear changes or in-shoe padding

• Custom orthotics

• Taping or strapping

• Radial shockwave therapy – non-invasive treatment to stimulate healing in chronic cases

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Convenient Care in the Adelaide Hills​

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• Nairne clinic (10 minutes from Mount Barker)

• Birdwood clinic

• Saturday morning appointments available at Nairne

 

Book Your Appointment

Whether your heel pain is new or something you’ve been putting up with for months, we can help.