Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is also called heel spur syndrome.
Pain is usually central to the heel or mid arch and ranges from a dull to a sharp pain
It commonly occurs in the morning or after rest
Pain may reduce after walking 5-10 minutes but remain as a low grade ache during the day

Treatments

Foot controlling orthotics

Pre-formed or custom if required

Laser soft tissue treatment

Reduces pain and increases blood flow and healing

Calf stretching

Reduces the stretch to the plantar fascia caused by an early heel lift

Specialized taping designed by Advanced Podiatry

Supports and reduces the stretch to the plantar fascia

Anti-inflammatory medications

Over the counter or prescription medications may help to reduce the painful symptoms

Supporting footwear

Can be recommended or measured and supplied by Advanced Podiatry

Foot manipulation

Improves structural alignment and range of motion

Night splint

Wearing a night splint may help to provide an extended stretch of the plantar fascia and calf muscle during sleep. This may also help reduce the morning pain which is so common.

Ankle pain (Achilles tendon)

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and lets you rise up on your toes and push off the ground when you walk or run.
If you have these signs and symptoms you may have a problem with your Achilles tendon
Pain and swelling of the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel
Painful to push forward and when your heel lifts off the ground
Unable to balance and stand on the affected foot

Treatments

Foot controlling orthotics

Improve the tracking or gliding of the knee cap

Laser soft tissue treatment

Reduces pain and increases blood flow and healing

Supporting footwear

Can be recommended or measured and supplied by Advanced Podiatry

Surgical referral

If a full thickness tear is present

Eccentric exercise

Stretching to rehabilitate the tendon

Immobilisation in a Cam Walker boot

Heel raises

Rest from activity

Ankle pain (Tibialis Posterior Tendon)

Inflammation and rupture of this tendon is the major cause for adults to develop a flat foot deformity.
If you have these signs and symptoms you may have Posterior Tibial Tendon dysfunction
Pain and swelling on the inside (medial) ankle
Flattening of the arch and an inward rolling of the ankle
The area may be red, warm and swollen

Treatments

Foot controlling orthotics

Improve the tracking or gliding of the knee cap

Laser soft tissue treatment

Reduces pain and increases blood flow and healing

Supporting footwear

Can be recommended or measured and supplied by Advanced Podiatry

Surgical referral

If a full thickness tear is present

Eccentric exercise

Stretching to rehabilitate the tendon

Immobilisation in a Cam Walker boot

Heel raises

Rest from activity

Ankle pain (Sinus Tarsi Syndrome)

This is a painful ankle condition which often develops after a lateral ankle sprain or rolling over ankle injury.
If you have these signs and symptoms you may have Sinus Tarsi Syndrome
Ankle pain after you have rehabilitated from an ankle sprain
Sharp stabbing pain in the outside of the ankle
Pain occurs more when you roll your foot in (flatten out)

Treatments

Foot controlling orthotics

Improve the tracking or gliding of the knee cap

Laser soft tissue treatment

Reduces pain and increases blood flow and healing

Foot manipulation

Gentle stretching of the swollen structures so that they move outside the edges being pinched

Some of the common questions for this treatment

Call us at (03) 9882 7221 or email us if you couldn't find an answer to your questions here

What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome. Before we diagnose plantar fasciitis we must firstly rule out other conditions which may produce similar heel pain symptoms such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or rarely, a cyst.
Is Advanced Podiatry heel pain treatment covered by insurance?
Private health insurance will cover part of your podiatry treatment if you have the appropriate level of cover. If you are covered by an EPC plan you can claim up to $54 a treatment for a maximum of 5 treatments.

What is the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and lets you rise up on your toes and push off when you walk or run. It is the largest tendon in the body and brings together the end of two muscles.

Within the tendon 3 main problems can occur
- Achilles tendinitis (inflammation and swelling)
- Achilles tendinosis (inflammation, swelling and micro tears)
- Achilles tendon rupture (full tendon tear)
How do you examine Achilles tendon conditions?
It is important to determine the type and severity of your Achilles tendon problem, so that a targeted treatment program can be designed. To do this an Advanced Podiatrist will complete a thorough examination of your history, leg and foot alignment.

Examination may include
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Walking/running analysis
What results can I expect?
With the appropriate treatment program targeted at the cause of the problem, successful treatment of Achilles tendon pain is very high.

What is posterior tendon dysfunction?
Inflammation and rupture of this tendon is the major cause for adults to develop a flat foot deformity. Think of the foot as an arched bridge and the posterior tendon is the cable attached to the top of that arch giving it the support and integrity it needs. If the cable is damaged the bridge could start to give way and flatten.
How do you examine posterior tendon conditions?
It is important to determine the type and severity of your posterior tendon problem, so that a targeted treatment program can be designed. To do this an Advanced Podiatrist will take a thorough examination of your history, leg and foot alignment.

Examination may include
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Walking/running analysis
What results can I expect?
Early diagnosis of this condition will significantly reduce the length of treatment needed, producing a quick and successful outcome. Advanced Podiatry has proven successful treatment of this condition.

What is sinus tarsi syndrome?
This is a painful ankle condition which often develops after a lateral ankle sprain or rolling over ankle injury. Swelling around the outside of the ankle occurs after the sprain and can fill the space between the joint or bone edges of this part of the foot. When when you stand or move in a certain position the swelling will be pinched as it gets jammed between the joint edges causing pain. If you have a foot that rolls in or pronates excessively the pinching will be felt even more.
What results can I expect?
Although this condition has been considered to be difficult to treat, the results we have at Advanced Podiatry are quick and outstanding. Recovery from Sinus Tarsi syndrome is usually within 2-3 weeks