Service
Heel pain clinic at Elland Foot Clinic
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
Let’s talk about your symptoms
- 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
- 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
- Stand on your toes
- Walk a short distance
- Stretch your calf
Imaging (only if needed)
- 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
- Severe pain after injury
- Numbness or tingling
- Swelling, redness, or fever
- Pain that’s getting rapidly worse
Which Conditions 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.
- Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment – Baxter’s nerve is a branch of the lateral plantar nerve that travels along the heel. Compression or irritation of this nerve may cause persistent heel pain, burning sensations or altered feeling beneath the foot.
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.
Digital Foot Scan
Where it helps, we use a digital foot scanner to see how pressure travels through your heel, arch and forefoot as you walk. The scan picks up loading patterns that are hard to spot by eye and helps us decide whether you need support, which type, and how much.
Custom Orthotics Made From Your Foot Scan
For heel pain that is driven by how your foot takes load, a custom orthotic can take pressure away from the painful area while your tissues recover. We prescribe Phits orthotics, which are 3D printed from your scan data and built to your foot shape and walking pattern. They are slim enough to fit most everyday shoes. See our insoles and orthotics page for more detail.
When We Refer You On
We will always tell you if your heel pain needs something we cannot offer in clinic. If your symptoms suggest a stress fracture, nerve involvement or anything that needs imaging or a specialist opinion, we will explain why and point you in the right direction. If your pain has not settled with rehab and support, we can also discuss steroid injection therapy here in Elland.
Why Choose Our Heel Pain Clinic?
- One clinician throughout. Every appointment is with Nick Mainds, an HCPC-registered chartered podiatrist (CH33550) and member of the Royal College of Podiatry, with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry from the University of Salford.
- Diagnosis first. We do not assume every heel pain is plantar fasciitis. We test, then treat.
- Modern assessment. Digital foot scanning and custom 3D printed orthotics, all under one roof.
- A plan you can follow. Clear exercises, footwear advice and realistic timescales, written around your work, sport and daily life.
- No referral needed. Book directly online, usually with appointments available within the week.
Heel Pain Treatment for Elland, Halifax and Brighouse
You will find our heel pain clinic inside the Wellbeing Centre, 2 Briggate, Elland HX5 9DP. Patients travel to us from Halifax, Brighouse, Greetland, Ripponden and Huddersfield, as well as from across Elland itself. To book, use our online booking or call 07377 371070.
Heel Pain FAQs
Why Does My Heel Hurt First Thing in the Morning?
Morning heel pain is a classic sign of plantar fasciitis. Overnight, the tissue under your foot tightens, so the first few steps stretch it suddenly and it hurts. The pain often eases as you move, then returns after sitting. Read more on our plantar fasciitis page.
Should I Rest or Keep Walking With Heel Pain?
Complete rest is rarely the answer. Most heel conditions improve with the right amount of activity, not none at all. We will help you find a level of walking, work and exercise your heel can cope with, then build it back up.
Do I Need an X-Ray or Scan for Heel Pain?
Usually not. Most heel pain can be diagnosed from your history and a hands-on examination. We only suggest imaging if something does not add up or we suspect a problem such as a stress fracture.
How Many Appointments Will I Need?
It depends on the cause and how long you have had the pain. Many people need an assessment and two or three follow-ups to review progress, adjust exercises and fit any orthotics. We will give you an honest idea at your first visit.