Heel and Arch Pain (inc. Plantar Fasciitis)

Heel and arch pain can affect men and women of all ages. The most common forms of heel pain are Plantar Fasciitis, and Sever’s Disease.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament running from your heel to the ball of your foot, which is called the plantar fascia. This commonly causes pain when getting out of bed in the morning, and often recurs throughout the day especially after rest and prolonged movement. North Queensland Podiatry uses various treatment options for plantar fasciitis, ranging from rest, strapping, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medication to orthotics. In more serious cases cortisone injections or surgery may be required. If you do suffer from heel or arch pain, North Queensland Podiatry offers professional diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.

Sever’s disease is the most common cause of heel pain in pre-adolescent and adolescent children. It occurs most commonly in (but is not limited to) physically active children between 7 -14 years of age.Sever’s disease is most often caused by inadequate footwear, playing sport on hard surfaces, calf tightness and biomechanical problems. Sever’s disease is caused when the heel bone grows faster than the leg muscles causing them to become tight and overstretched or by repetitive stress being placed on the growth plate of the heel bone. Over time this stress causes micro-trauma, inflammation and pain. The treatment for Sever’s disease can vary from resting from sports, cold packs, stretching and strengthening exercises, footwear advice and heel inserts for shoes and trainers. Why not book an appointment with North Queensland Podiatry for a diagnosis and to see which treatment options would help alleviate your child’s heel pain.