Understanding Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

What is Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis/Fasciopathy/Heel Spur Syndrome)?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue located along the bottom of the foot that runs from the heel bone (calcaneus) to the forefoot. It acts like a shock-absorbing band to support the arch and assist with walking and running.

When excessive stress or overload occurs, small tears and degeneration can develop within the fascia, leading to pain and inflammation. This condition is commonly referred to as:

Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciopathy
Heel spur syndrome

Plantar fasciitis or your general heel pain is a common clinical condition caused by overuse or acute injury direct to the plantar fascia or that area of the foot. Inflammation, thickening, and a decreased blood supply of the fascia occur, causing symptoms of heel pain. The plantar fascia acts as a rubber band to absorb shock as you walk or stand and constantly elongates and contracts. This constant stretching can result in tears in the soft tissue, most commonly occurring at the heel. This condition is clinically referred to as plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy

Symptoms may include:

Burning sensations in the sole of the foot
Recurring foot pain that is especially sore or tight in the morning or after sitting.
Tired feet after being upright for long periods of time
Heel pain after beginning a new exercise routine
Pain that increases over a period of months

Causes of heel pain or, plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy

One of the biggest contributing factors is excessive pronation (flat feet), where the foot rolls inward excessively during walking or running. This places increased tension on the plantar fascia and surrounding structures. There are several conditions that cause heel pain, and symptoms of one condition can be similar to that of another. Therefore it is vital that an accurate diagnosis is made by a podiatrist, in order for treatments to be effective.

Heel pain is commonly caused by abnormal foot biomechanics and excessive strain on the plantar fascia.

Common risk factors include:

running and sports
walking on hard floors
unsupportive shoes or thongs
increased training loads
weight gain
standing for long hours at work

Heel and arch pain is usually the result of abnormal biomechanics that places too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. This increased stress causes local inflammation and pain. The most common cause of this increased stress is excessive pronation, which means that your feet roll inward too much when you walk. This is often referred to as flat feet. As they roll inward the arch of the foot flattens and the arch lengthens. When the arch lengthens there is increased tension on the plantar fascia. However, this condition can also occur in people with high arched feet.

Heel pain can affect:

runners
tradies
teachers
nurses
active adults
gym-goers
people standing for long hours

However, heel pain can also affect people with:

high arches
tight calf muscles
poor ankle mobility
reduced foot strength
sudden increases in activity
inappropriate footwear
prolonged standing occupations

and often becomes worse over time if left untreated.

Conditions That Can Mimic Plantar Fasciitis

Heel pain is not always plantar fasciitis.

Several other conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is why an accurate diagnosis from an experienced podiatrist is important.

Other common causes of heel pain include:

Fat pad syndrome
Baxter’s nerve entrapment
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Achilles tendinopathy
Calcaneal stress fracture
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
Sever’s disease in children
Nerve irritation or referred pain

A thorough podiatry assessment helps determine the true source of your heel pain so the correct treatment plan can be implemented.

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Conservative Treatment

At OnePointHealth, we provide comprehensive heel pain treatment tailored to your specific condition, lifestyle, activity level and goals.

Our podiatrists use a combination of:

biomechanical assessment
movement analysis
strength assessment
footwear assessment
evidence-based rehabilitation

to develop an individualised treatment plan.

Treatment options may include:

Activity Modification

Temporary changes to exercise, sport or daily activity may help reduce irritation while the area settles. Low-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or AlterG treadmill training may be recommended.

Strengthening Program

Specific strengthening exercises help improve the plantar fascia’s load tolerance and address weakness through the foot, calf and lower limb.

Improving Ankle Mobility

Restricted ankle movement is a common contributor to heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Mobility interventions may be prescribed where necessary.

Footwear Advice

Supportive footwear is extremely important for heel pain recovery. Our podiatrists can assess your current footwear and recommend more supportive options where required.

Avoid:

thongs
unsupportive slippers
worn-out running shoes
walking barefoot on hard floors

Taping & Bracing

Foot taping or bracing techniques may help reduce strain on the plantar fascia and improve walking comfort.

Custom Orthotics

Custom foot orthotics may help improve foot mechanics and reduce stress on the plantar fascia, particularly in patients with flat feet, overpronation or recurrent heel pain.

Patients searching for:

“orthotics for plantar fasciitis”
“custom orthotics Ryde”
“heel pain orthotics near me”

may benefit from a biomechanical assessment with our podiatry team.

Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment designed to stimulate healing within the plantar fascia and reduce chronic heel pain symptoms.

Anti-Inflammatory Strategies

Ice, heat, load management and anti-inflammatory medications (as advised by your GP) may assist with symptom management.

Injection Therapy

In persistent cases where symptoms plateau, injection therapy may be considered in conjunction with your GP or specialist.

AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill

For runners and active patients, the AlterG treadmill can help maintain fitness while reducing load through the foot during rehabilitation.

Surgery for plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy

Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve with conservative podiatry treatment and rehabilitation.

However, in long-standing or severe cases that do not respond to conservative management, surgical intervention may occasionally be considered in consultation with a specialist.