Plantar Faciitis | LIPS Healthcare

Book a consultation with one of our doctors if:

You experience persistent heel pain, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, that interferes with your daily activities.
The pain worsens with activities like walking, running, or standing for long periods.
You suspect you may have plantar fasciitis due to risk factors like increased activity, certain occupations, foot mechanics, weight, or age.
You've tried home remedies like rest, ice, and stretching for several weeks with minimal improvement.
You're unsure about the cause of your heel pain and want a proper diagnosis.
You experience sudden and severe heel pain, especially after an injury or trauma to your foot. (This could indicate a more serious injury like a fracture.)
The pain is accompanied by redness, swelling, or warmth in your heel, which could signify an infection.
You have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and experience new or worsening heel pain. (Diabetes can affect foot health and require prompt evaluation.)
You experience heel pain along with numbness, tingling, or weakness in your foot or leg. (This could indicate nerve involvement requiring further investigation.)

Information

Book a consultation with one of our doctors if:

You experience persistent heel pain, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, that interferes with your daily activities.
The pain worsens with activities like walking, running, or standing for long periods.
You suspect you may have plantar fasciitis due to risk factors like increased activity, certain occupations, foot mechanics, weight, or age.
You've tried home remedies like rest, ice, and stretching for several weeks with minimal improvement.
You're unsure about the cause of your heel pain and want a proper diagnosis.
You experience sudden and severe heel pain, especially after an injury or trauma to your foot. (This could indicate a more serious injury like a fracture.)
The pain is accompanied by redness, swelling, or warmth in your heel, which could signify an infection.
You have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and experience new or worsening heel pain. (Diabetes can affect foot health and require prompt evaluation.)
You experience heel pain along with numbness, tingling, or weakness in your foot or leg. (This could indicate nerve involvement requiring further investigation.)

Do:

Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate pain, especially during flare-ups. Allow your foot time to heal.
Apply ice: Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, to reduce inflammation.
Stretch: Regularly stretch your calves and plantar fascia to improve flexibility and reduce tension.
Wear supportive shoes: Choose shoes with good arch support and cushioning to absorb impact during activity. Consider athletic shoes designed for your specific activity or supportive inserts for everyday shoes.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts extra stress on your feet. Aim for a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise.
Strengthen your feet: Exercises that target your foot muscles can improve balance and stability, reducing stress on the plantar fascia.
Use night splints: Wearing night splints while you sleep can help keep your plantar fascia stretched and prevent pain in the morning.
See a physical therapist: A physical therapist can teach you specific stretches and exercises to strengthen your feet and improve flexibility.
Apply pain-relieving creams: Over-the-counter pain relievers or topical creams can help manage pain temporarily.

Don't:

Ignore pain: Don't push through pain as it can worsen the condition. Rest and seek treatment if pain persists.
Go barefoot: Walking barefoot on hard surfaces can aggravate plantar fasciitis. Wear supportive shoes whenever possible.
Wear worn-out shoes: Shoes that lack proper support or cushioning can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Replace worn-out shoes with supportive options.
Stretch excessively: While stretching is beneficial, avoid overdoing it. Stop if you feel sharp pain.
Suddenly increase activity: Gradually increase your activity level to avoid re-injuring your plantar fascia.
Neglect strengthening exercises: Strengthening your foot muscles is crucial for long-term management.
Smoke: Smoking can impair healing and slow recovery.
Use heat directly on the affected area: Heat can worsen inflammation. Apply ice for pain relief.
Self-medicate: Consult your doctor before taking any medications or supplements.

Possible Questions:

Can you describe the pain you're experiencing in your heel?
Where is the pain located exactly? (Point to the specific area)
When did the pain start? Is it constant or does it come and go?
What activities seem to worsen the pain?
Is the pain worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity?
Does anything seem to improve the pain (rest, ice, etc.)?
Have you noticed any swelling or redness in your heel?
What is your typical daily activity level?
Do you participate in any regular exercise programs or sports?
What type of work do you do? Does it involve prolonged standing on hard surfaces?
Have you recently increased your activity level significantly?
Do you wear supportive shoes with good arch support?
Have you ever had any injuries to your foot or ankle?
Do you have any underlying medical conditions like diabetes or obesity?

1.Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain, often described as:

Sharp or stabbing pain
Dull ache
Worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity
Pain that improves with walking but can worsen with prolonged activity

Visit our Symptoms & Causes page for more information.

Who is at risk for Plantar Fasciitis?

Several factors can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis, including:

Increased activity: Starting a new exercise program or suddenly increasing activity level can strain the plantar fascia.
Certain occupations: Jobs requiring prolonged standing on hard surfaces can contribute to plantar fasciitis.
Foot mechanics: Flat feet, high arches, or tight calf muscles can increase stress on the plantar fascia.
Weight: Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on your feet.
Age: Plantar fasciitis is more common in middle-aged adults.

Visit our Symptoms & Causes page for more information.

2.Diagnosis

How is Plantar Fasciitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis typically involves:

Medical history and physical examination: Your doctor will discuss your symptoms, risk factors, and examine your foot for tenderness and range of motion.
Imaging tests (optional): X-rays or MRIs may be used in rare cases to rule out other conditions that can mimic plantar fasciitis.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

3.Treatment

How is Plantar Fasciitis treated?

Treatment for plantar fasciitis focuses on pain relief, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility. Treatment options may include:

Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate pain, especially during flare-ups.
Physical therapy: Stretching exercises and strengthening exercises for the foot and calf muscles.
Orthotics: Custom shoe inserts to provide arch support and reduce stress on the plantar fascia.
Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain medication or topical creams to manage pain.
Night splints: Splints worn during sleep to keep the plantar fascia stretched and prevent pain in the morning.
Steroid injections (optional): Injections may be used in severe cases to reduce inflammation.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

What are the benefits of choosing LIPS for Plantar Fasciitis treatment?

LIPS offers several advantages for international patients seeking plantar fasciitis diagnosis and treatment:

Expert Podiatrists: Our team consists of qualified podiatrists with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing plantar fasciitis.
Multilingual Support: We have dedicated staff who can assist you with language translation throughout the evaluation and treatment process.
Personalised Care: We work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to the severity of your plantar fasciitis.
International Patient Support: LIPS can guide you through navigating the healthcare system in London and provide support with logistics.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

4.Insurance

At LIPS we work with a wide range of insurance providers

Will my insurance cover Plantar Fasciitis treatment?

Many health insurance plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis. Coverage specifics can vary depending on your individual plan.

How does LIPS work with the National Health Service?

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached. When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day. We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health. If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.