Heel Pain Treatment – Adelaide, SA

What is heel pain/plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is tearing or inflammation of the plantar fascia.  In extreme cases, the plantar fascia can rupture, which causes pain and swelling.

Stress and overwork can cause many tiny tears to form on the plantar fascia. The damage triggers inflammation as part of the body’s healing response. Chronic strain on the plantar fascia prevents healing and worsens the inflammation.

Heel Pain Treatment in Adelaide

When a patient comes to our clinic with heel pain, the most common cause is plantar fasciitis. One in ten people will get plantar fasciitis during their lifetime, and the condition usually strikes in middle age. The pain that plantar fasciitis causes typically is noticed with the first step out of bed which interferes with the enjoyment of daily activities, and reduces the quality of life.

Dr. Hawra Alzamely, BPod, is an experienced podiatrist that provides treatment of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain.

Our podiatirst approaches heel pain with a two-step patient care plan. First, she seeks to understand the cause of the heel pain and the extent of the injury. Then, she works to treat and stop further development of the problem.

Heel Pain Treatment FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers about all things heel pain.

The plantar fascia is a band of soft tissue connecting the heel with the front of the foot. It provides flexibility and stability to the arch. It is a few millimeters (a fraction of an inch) thick but is sometimes thicker in people with plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is curved so that it can store energy during walking. This makes walking more efficient, but it forces the plantar fascia to bear a substantial fraction of the body weight during each step. The plantar fascia is vulnerable to stresses that come from rolling the foot inward, the collapse of the foot’s arch, or any high-impact activity that puts pressure on the foot’s sole.

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. This can be a dull ache throughout the day to intense pain with the first step each morning. Plantar fasciitis can sometimes cause swelling at the bottom of the heel. Symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with walking. If plantar fasciitis interferes with posture, it might lead to pain in the calf or leg muscles, even though it is not directly a symptom of plantar fasciitis.

Heel Pain in Plantar Fasciitis

People with plantar fasciitis usually describe stabbing pain in the heel. Ligaments and muscles can become tight during sleep, so plantar fasciitis is often worse just after waking up and gets better once the plantar fascia has had a chance to stretch. Exercise does not typically cause plantar fasciitis, but the condition can become aggravated after exercises when the plantar fascia and foot muscles are tired.

Swelling in Plantar Fasciitis

Swelling can occur in the bottom of the feet. The soft tissues on the feet can become red, irritated, and inflamed.

A registered podiatrist, Dr. Hawra Alzamely, BPod is known for her foot and ankle treatment skill and experience. Over the years, she’s mastered the nuances of treating heel pain so that she consistently produces excellent results. Her patients appreciate her kind manner, attention to detail, and rave about their care.

Our podiatrist works hard to make sure that patients are comfortable in the office and are fully confident in their choices. She is a member of the Australian Podiatry Association, and Sports + Exercise Podiatry Australia.

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Plantar fasciitis can be confused with certain neurological conditions such as sciatica, pinched nerves, or entrapped nerves. Swelling of the feet could indicate a problem with the circulatory system. Heel pain could also be a symptom of a stress fracture or other bones in the foot.

Plantar fasciitis has several treatment options, ranging from conservative measures to surgery. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis will sometimes go away by themselves. However, if plantar fasciitis affects gait or posture, these changes could lead to further problems with walking and pain in other parts of the body. So seeking treatment early on can lead to a faster recovery. A variety of treatment options are available and our podiatrist will work with you to devise a custom plan to help you get back on your feet.  

Rest

Rest can improve plantar fasciitis symptoms. Cutting back on running or sports that stress the feet gives the plantar fascia time to recover. In acute cases, immobilization with a walking boot or cast may be warranted.

Pain Management

To reduce inflammation and pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be prescribed. Cortisone and other corticosteroids can also treat severe plantar fasciitis. While injections might help in the short term, they are not guaranteed to provide long-term relief, especially if there is an underlying mechanical issue.

Other standard therapies for pain, such as heat, ice, and foot exercises, are often effective against plantar fasciitis.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Orthotic devices such as shoe inserts provide arch support and correct abnormalities in the gait and foot structure that might contribute to plantar fasciitis. Night splints can give a gentle stretch to prevent the arches from tightening up during sleep to minimize heel pain for the first steps in the morning.

Exercise Prescription

Stretches, mobilisation, manipulation, and exercises that target foot muscles, tendons, and ligaments can improve arch support and relieve tension on the plantar fascia. A tight Achilles heel and tight calf muscles can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Targeted exercise stretches your calf muscles to remove one source of tension on the plantar fascia.  

Injections  

Cortisone, ultrasound-guided dextrose, and platelet-rich plasma injections are all possible treatment options. Cortisone and ultrasound-guided dextrose can help reduce painful symptoms. Platelet-rich plasma, which promotes healing for many medical conditions, relieves plantar fasciitis pain in some patients. The white blood cells and platelets in PRP encourage healing and pain relief.

Plantar Fasciitis symptoms can resolve independently, but treatment can shorten the recovery period and reduce symptoms. Preventing further damage and preventing other ligaments, tendons, and muscles from sustaining an injury is vital for recovering from plantar fasciitis.

Stretching exercises that increase the flexibility of the plantar fascia and strengthen muscles that support the arch can be beneficial. Regular exercise keeps tendons and ligaments limber.

If you play sports, be sure to have proper arch support and ankle support. Take a moderate approach to exercise or sports to prevent overusing the plantar fascia.

Avoid work activities or hobbies that require you to stand for long periods during the day to avoid tiring out the muscles of your feet and putting stress on your feet. When you are physically active, take breaks to allow your feet to rest.

Dr. Alzamely Will Help Get You Back On Your Feet

By seeking treatment, our patients are able to return to their daily activities, pursuits, and life better than ever and free from foot and ankle pain.

Her combination of clinical skills and caring demeanor with her patients makes Dr. Hawra Alzamely, BPod, one of the most sought-after podiatrists in Adelaide.

If you’re ready to stop living with pain and live your best life, schedule a consultation today.

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Dr. Hawra Alzamely, BPod, provides a wide range of treatment options. If you’re ready to address your foot and ankle concerns, book an appointment online today.