Service
Heel pain clinic at Elland Foot Clinic
Elland Foot Clinic are specialists in diagnosing and treating heel pain.
It’s important to remember that not all heel pain is “plantar fasciitis”. We believe that this condition is often over-diagnosed due to a lack of understanding. That’s why it’s important to let the foot specialists have a look.
That’s where Elland Foot Clinic comes in. Most heel pain conditions can be diagnosed after just one assessment with an experienced clinician, but in some cases, imaging may be required.
Regardless of the condition and cause, we can help you!
It’s important to remember that not all heel pain is “plantar fasciitis”. We believe that this condition is often over-diagnosed due to a lack of understanding. That’s why it’s important to let the foot specialists have a look.
That’s where Elland Foot Clinic comes in. Most heel pain conditions can be diagnosed after just one assessment with an experienced clinician, but in some cases, imaging may be required.
Regardless of the condition and cause, we can help you!
What to Expect at Your Appointment
A heel pain assessment is usually straightforward and focused on figuring out the cause of your pain.
Let’s talk about your symptoms
The podiatrist will ask questions like:
- Where exactly is the pain?
- When did it start?
- Is it worse in the morning or after rest?
- What activities make it better or worse?
- Any recent changes in exercise, footwear, or weight?
Physical examination
We’ll examine your foot and ankle by:
- Palpating different areas of your heel to locate tenderness
- Checking your range of motion in the ankle and foot joints
- Assessing your foot posture when weight bearing and non-weightbearing
- If the pain is at the back of the heel, we may also check your achilles tendon.
Functional tests
We might ask you to:
- Stand on your toes
- Walk a short distance
- Stretch your calf
These help identify weakness, stiffness, or biomechanical issues.
Imaging (only if needed)
Most cases don’t require scans and imaging, but if something more serious is suspected (like a stress fracture) we may refer you for:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
Diagnosis and treatment plan
Once we’ve worked out the cause, we can suggest the best treatment.
This often includes:
- Stretching (especially calves and foot arch)
- Footwear advice or insoles
- Activity modification
- Strapping and taping
- Exercises and rehabilitation
Tell us right away if you have:
- Severe pain after injury
- Numbness or tingling
- Swelling, redness, or fever
- Pain that’s getting rapidly worse
Which Conditions Can Affect the Heel?
Here are a few of the ‘most common’ conditions that can affect the heel:
- Plantar Fasciopathy – The most common cause. Irritation of the thick band under your foot; sharp pain under the heel, often worst with the first steps in the morning and during ‘toe-off’ when walking
- Achilles Tendinopathy – Overuse of the achilles tendon at the back of the heel; causes stiffness and aching, especially during or after activity. This is the thickest tendon in the body!
- Heel Spur – A small, bony growth on the heel bone; often linked with plantar fasciitis. The spur itself may not hurt, but the surrounding tissue can.
- Calcaneal Stress Fracture – A tiny crack in the heel bone from repeated impact (running, jumping). Pain often worsens with weight-bearing.
- Retrocalcaneal Bursitis – Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac between the heel bone and Achilles tendon; causes swelling and pain at the back of the heel.
- Sever’s Disease – Commonly found in children/teens during growth spurts; heel pain linked to activity due to irritation of the growth plate.
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome – Compression of a nerve inside the ankle; burning, tingling, or shooting pain that can radiate into the heel.
- Fat Pad Syndrome – Thinning or damage to the natural cushioning under the heel; deep, bruise-like pain when walking on hard surfaces.
- Haglund’s Deformity – A bony bump at the back of the heel that rubs against shoes, often causing irritation and inflammation.
How Do You Treat Heel Conditions at Elland Foot Clinic?
- Activity modification – reducing running, standing, or impact activities to let the heel settle.
- Stretching exercises – Especially for the calf and foot arch; key for issues like Plantar Fasciitis.
- Footwear changes – Supportive, cushioned shoes; avoiding worn-out or flat footwear. Often a rocker-bottom can be beneficial for some heel conditions.
- Insoles/orthotics – Provide arch support or heel cushioning to reduce strain.
- Ice therapy – Helps reduce pain and inflammation after activity.
- Pain relief – Over-the-counter options like Ibuprofen if appropriate.