Content Author

Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis

June 6, 2023 by Content Author

Heel pain, we’ve either experienced it or know of someone that has. It can be frustrating and have a significant effect on your day.

There are multiple causes of heel pain, however the most common cause is Plantar fasciitis. The plantar facia is a thick connective tissue which originates from your heel and fans out to connect to all 5 toes. The Plantar fascia helps to maintain shape, strength and flexibility of the foot. When the plantar facia is overloaded or injured it becomes inflamed and tender.

Some of the common causes of plantar fasciitis are:

A sudden increase in physical activity or intensity of the activity
Poor footwear
Foot type or biomechanics of the foot
Increased body weight
Faulty training
Trauma/injury to the heel

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can vary depending on severity however, the most common signs are pain in the bottom the heel which can radiate into the arch. Pain is generally worst in the mornings and then eases off after a few minutes of walking.

So how do we treat plantar fasciitis?
Treatment will depend on the cause of the symptoms. A thorough investigation is done by a podiatrist to determine the cause of the pain. A treatment plan is then tailored accordingly to help reduce pain/strain and minimise risk of it reoccurring.

Treatment can include the following:

Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) may be done initially to reduce pain.
Footwear check
Orthotics
Strapping
Stretches/strengthening.
Shockwave therapy
And much more.

While plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, there are other factors which can contribute to heel pain such as Achilles tendinopathy, posterior tibial tendinopathy, heel spurs, abductor hallucis tendinopathy, heel fractures etc. Thus, it is important to determine the cause of the pain.

Don’t suffer from heel pain, book an appointment with us today!

Orthotics – What are Orthotics, and what do they do?

April 13, 2023 by Content Author

Orthotics are medical devices worn inside shoes that are intended to correct abnormal, or irregular walking patterns which have contributed to increased stress through the feet and legs. Orthotics are not just “arch supports”. An orthotic is designed to guide the mechanics of the foot to help muscles and tendons perform more efficiently, making standing, walking and running more comfortable.

If you’re suffering from pain or injury, the orthotics may help with your recovery. Orthotics are specifically designed to correct any biomechanical abnormalities that are contributing to ongoing pain and re-distribute weight away from the painful area. Since foot posture and function vary significantly from person to person, there is no ‘one type fits all’. Think of orthotics like prescription glasses. You’ll need a comprehensive biomechanical assessment done by a podiatrist to determine the type of orthotic or modifications required to get the best results.

There are 2 different types of Orthotics:

Prefab Orthotics: A huge range of pre-made orthotics with specific features such as cushioning, shock absorption, arch support and many more. Prefab orthotics are modified in the clinic to achieve the therapeutic effect identified in the biomechanical assessment. These are great for acute conditions where orthotics will be used for a short timeframe to facilitate healing and repair.

Custom Orthotics: Are designed by taking a mould/impression of the foot. This gives precise location of bones, joints and muscles which ensures the orthotic achieves a specific function.
Custom orthotics are generally for chronic or long-term problems and can last up to 5-10 years.

Each orthotic whether it be prefab, or custom are designed and modified for your foot, to achieve necessary therapeutic effect.

Below are just some of the ways orthotics can be used to help or assist with:

Facilitating healing of damaged muscles and tissues – e.g. Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis
Redistributing pressure or offloading painful areas of the foot – e.g. corns, callus, ulcers
Reducing pain from chronic conditions – e.g. arthritis
Supporting foot and leg abnormalities – e.g. leg length discrepancy
Improving walking and running techniques/gait.
And much more!

Heel pain is a great example. The most common causes of heel pain are excessive strain on ligaments/tendons or poor shock absorption. Orthotics can help to align the foot to redistribute pressure away from the heel, while providing support to the foot and attenuate shock more efficiently. This will help to alleviate pain and make walking or running more efficient.

If you have an issue with your feet or legs or would like to know how orthotics can help you, book an appointment with one of our experts today!

Chronic Foot or Heel Pain? Shockwave Therapy could be your solution!

March 2, 2023 by Content Author

Do you suffer from chronic pain in your foot, ankle or knee and have tried various forms of therapies, but they haven’t really helped? Well Shockwave therapy may be suitable for you!

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions and tendon pathologies such as Achilles pain or plantar fasciitis. It is a non-invasive therapy which uses ultrasound shock-waves to kick start the body’s natural healing response that may not have responded to medication, rest or other therapies.
ESWT stimulates the release of growth factors and improves bloody supply leading to the repair of tendons and muscles. It also helps to reduce pain through a technique called hyper-stimulation anaesthesia. This is when the nerves send pain signals to the pain which are stimulated to a point that their activity diminishes, thereby decreasing pain.

No anaesthetic or needles are required during treatment. It can be a little uncomfortable during the procedure which is easily tolerated by most people and adjustments to the dose/intensity can be made to make it more tolerable if needed. It is common to experience some dull, achy pain in the treated area over the next few days after treatment. This is a sign that the treatment is producing a healing response in the tissues. It can take up to 3-5 sessions to achieve significant pain relief, with each appointment being about a week apart.

Clinical trials have shown that there is a 90% success rate with ESWT. So, book an appointment with one of our Podiatrist to see if Shockwave therapy is suitable for you!

We will examine and assess your condition to come up with a tailored plan to help manage your pain and minimise the risk of re-injury.