If your heels hurt with your first step out of bed-you may have a condition called Plantar fasciitis.

If you have the following symptoms you may have Plantar fasciitis:

• Pain in one or both heels when you first get out of bed
• Pain that lessens after a few minutes of walking
• Pain that is worse when you stand up after a period of sitting 
• Pain that is moderate or severe-aching, burning or stabbing sensations   

              * can become debilitating or just very annoying

• Pain on the inside, underneath part of your heel

              * can extend up through the arch of your foot

 

Who is most likely to get Plantar Fasciitis/Common causes of the condition

• Age (40 to 60 years of age)
• Overweight
• Overuse (lots of sporting activity)
• Flat  feet
• Pronated feet (a foot that rolls inwards)
• Change in activity level (eg: more exercise, climbing ladders)
• Long periods of standing on hard surfaces
• Bunions (big toe deformity)
• Change of footwear (shoes to small)

 

How is it treated?

Most commonly treated with a regime of the following:

• Orthotics (arch supports)
• Stretching exercises
• Massage
• Icing (cold frozen bottle massage)

We provide off the shelf orthotics and we can custom make your orthotics.

 

Plantar fasciitis is a progressive condition that can become chronic and debilitating.Ignoring your symptoms increases the risk of further damage to the soft tissue along with developing bone spurring(heel spur) and increase inflammation and pain.  If left untreated you may eventually require cortisone injections or surgery.

The longer you leave it, the longer it takes to get rid of your pain.

At the Kew Foot Clinic we will assess your feet and lower limb alignment to determine your correct diagnosis and offer advice, demonstrate stretching excercises and offer orthotic treatment.

In 98% of cases treated with conservative management along with orthotics are pain free within months of starting treatment.

We see people from all suburbs including Kew, Balwyn, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Ivanhoe and Richmond.

 

Please come and see us at our newly refurbished clinic at 66 Harp Road, KEW. Telephone: 9853 6877