Heel pain & plantar fasciitis
That sharp stab with the first few steps out of bed is one of the most common complaints I see, and one of the most misunderstood. Most heel pain settles with the right diagnosis and a structured plan, so my first job is to establish exactly what is causing yours before suggesting anything beyond that.
What happens
A proper diagnosis first
Heel pain has several causes that feel remarkably similar. An examination of the foot, with imaging where it will change the plan, tells us whether the plantar fascia, a nerve, the fat pad or the bone is responsible — and therefore which treatment can reasonably be expected to work.
Treatment that avoids an operation
A structured loading and calf-stretching programme, supportive footwear or insoles, a night splint, injection therapy and shockwave are all effective options. In my practice these are advised after the initial assessment and imaging, rather than tried blindly.
When surgery is the right step
Only a small minority of patients need it. Where the fascia or a trapped nerve is the clear cause and a well-run course of treatment has not settled things, a keyhole release can be offered as a day case, once we have discussed it together.
FAQ
Common questions about heel pain & plantar fasciitis
Other treatments
Keyhole bunion surgery
Keyhole (minimally invasive) bunion correction for hallux valgus, including revision bunion surgery — as a day case, with trainers from two weeks.
Minimally invasive forefoot surgery
Lesser toe correction for hammer, mallet and curly toes, metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma and forefoot reconstruction.
Keyhole ankle surgery
Arthroscopic ankle surgery (also known as keyhole ankle surgery) for impingement, cartilage injuries and OCD lesions, with rapid, structured rehabilitation.