Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Foot pain is…well exactly that; a pain. Heel pain, tends to be the most common complaint at our foot clinic.

Plantar fasciitis is the culprit behind that sharp pain we feel during those first sleepy steps in the morning and then creeps back after a long day on our feet. Heel pain affects both genders and people of all ages.

The arches of our feet are supported by several muscles and ligaments. The major supporter of our arch is a ligament called the plantar fascia. When we stand and our arches collapse inwards (pronate) it cause the plantar fascia to stretch. Although pronation is needed for normal foot function, it is when there is excessive pronation that problems occur. Small micro tears within the fascia itself occur causing inflammation and creating pain. This stretching motion also creates a pulling force at the fascia’s weakest point; the heel.

Heel spurs can develop with prolonged plantar fasciitis; our bodies try to reduce the amount of plantar fascia pull by increasing bone growth in the heel, causing a spur to form. Heel spurs almost always make your heel pain worse due to the pathological boney outgrowth now on the bottom of your foot. Pain can be experience not only in the heel but also in the arch due to multiple areas of stress.

Sudden increases in activity; particularly high impact activity is usually the trigger for plantar fasciits. There is almost always an underlying biomechanical issue which needs to be identified and corrected. Typically, patients with a ‘flat’ foot type have a higher chance of suffering from plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.

Plantar fasciitis is effectively treated with custom foot orthotics. Custom foot orthotics correct the mechanics of your foot by providing support to the arches; eliminating stretching and pulling of the plantar fascia. They are also used to off-load the painful heel area.


Omni Foot Clinic has treated multiple cases of heel pain allowing patients to walk away from their heel pain. Call today to make an appointment!


Happy & Healthy Feet!


Amit Kaushal, B.Sc., D.Ch.