Not Just Heel Pain

April 12, 2024

Not Just Plantar Heel Pain


The long Perth summer goes hand in hand with wearing thongs and being down at the beach. It’s important to be mindful that this extended period in unsupportive shoes can exacerbate underlying or existing issues in the plantar fascia (band beneath the arch of the foot), or trigger new symptoms in the arch and heel.

You might have heard about plantar fasciitis, which is quite common and can be a real pain in the heel (literally), but did you know that there's more to heel pain than just that?

Let's talk about it.


Plantar Heel Pain 101

Plantar heel pain is any kind of discomfort or ache you feel in your heel area. While plantar fasciitis is a common cause, there are other culprits too. One of them is something called tarsal tunnel syndrome.


Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Sneaky Troublemaker

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist. Imagine a tunnel in your foot where important nerves and blood vessels pass through. If that tunnel gets squeezed or compressed, you've got yourself tarsal tunnel syndrome. It can feel a lot like plantar fasciitis, but it's a whole different ball game.

With tarsal tunnel syndrome, you might experience tingling, burning, or shooting pains that travel from your heel down to your toes or in the other direction too. Sometimes it can feel like electric shocks zapping your foot.


What’s Going on Inside?

So, why does this happen? There are a few common possibilities. It could be due to an unusual foot structure or an injury or past trauma, like a sprained ankle. Other times it’s caused by pressure from blood vessels or other soft tissue structures in the area. And sometimes it's just bad luck and your nerves get irritated for no apparent reason.


Treatment Options: Finding Relief

Okay, enough with the doom and gloom. Let's talk about what we can do to ease the pain. For starters, there are some simple tricks you can try at home:


·        Rest: Give your feet a break. Avoid activities that make the pain worse.

·        Ice: Apply an ice pack to your heel for about 15 minutes a few times a day to reduce inflammation, or roll your foot on a frozen water bottle             to give the effect of ice massage.

·        Stretching: Gentle stretches of the calf and foot can help loosen up tight muscles and ease tension.


If these DIY remedies aren't cutting it, it might be time to see a healthcare professional. Our podiatrists can assess you and may recommend:


·        Medical Imaging: Diagnosis is key in achieving optimal results.

·        Orthotics: Custom-made shoe inserts can provide extra support and cushioning for your feet.

·        Physiotherapy: Working with a physio can help strengthen your muscles and improve your range of motion.

·        Medication: Pain relievers or anti-inflammatories might offer some relief.

·        Shockwave Therapy: High-energy acoustic waves are delivered into the tissue to stimulate healing.

·        Injection Therapy: such as guided corticosteroids or PRP (platelet-rich plasma)


Surgical Option: Last Resort


Surgery to decompress (relieve tension in the tarsal tunnel) is usually the last resort when all other treatment options have been unsuccessful. If your symptoms are severe and impacting your daily life, our Podiatric Surgeons Julie Taranto or Michael Taranto may recommend surgical decompression of the tarsal tunnel. It sounds scary, but it's often very effective in relieving pain and restoring function.

The Nail That Wouldn’t Behave – A Story About Ingrown Toenails

By Asha Curry • September 2, 2025
Meet Jack. He’s 14, loves soccer, and spends most afternoons running around the pitch with his mates. But for the last couple of years, he’s been hobbling more than sprinting. The culprit? A troublesome toenail on his big toe that has become so painful and embarrassing that he no longer wants to take his socks off in front of his friends. At first, Jack shrugged it off. “It’s just a bit sore,” he told his mum. But soon, the toe became red, swollen, and tender to even the lightest touch. Wearing his footy boots felt like stepping on a Lego brick every time he moved. Then the tissue around the toe started to get bigger and would bleed whenever it was knocked. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Ingrown toenails are incredibly common in kids and adolescents — often thanks to active lifestyles, tight shoes, or nails that just grow in awkward shapes. Adults aren’t immune either — anyone can get them. The good news? This is not something you have to put up with. Step one is usually conservative care from your podiatrist. We can gently remove the offending nail edge, reduce inflammation, and give you tips to stop it from coming back — like proper nail trimming techniques and footwear advice. But sometimes, as in Jack’s case, the nail problem keeps coming back to cause trouble and the tissue inflammation is too much to benefit from non-surgical measures. That’s when we can offer some surgical solutions. This can range from a simple surgical procedure, done under local anaesthetic, to a more invasive procedure which is usually done as a day procedure in a day surgery or hospital. As Jack’s problem was recurrent, we suggested a more permanent procedure to remove the sections of nail and skin that were problematic, under general anaesthetic (Jack was asleep and had no pain). Jack had the surgery. Three weeks later, he was back on the field, scoring goals without a second thought about his toe. His mum says the only regret was not getting it sorted sooner. If you or your child are dealing with a stubborn, sore toenail, remember: you don’t have to live with it. There is a definitive solution — and we’re here to help you find it. 

Walking on Eggshells: Jane's Story

By Asha Curry • May 6, 2025
When Jane turned 58, she started noticing a bump forming on the side of her big toe. At first, it didn’t bother her much — just a little rubbing in her shoes. But over time, her bunion got bigger, and her second toe started curling upwards. It wasn’t long before even short walks became painful. She thought the pain was “just part of getting older,” but her knees and hips had started aching too. Why? Because her body was compensating for her sore feet. Jane's gait (the way she walked) had changed, putting extra pressure on other joints. She also started feeling less steady on her feet, especially when barefoot or in slippers. Finding shoes was another challenge — nothing seemed to fit comfortably anymore. Fashion took a back seat to function, and even then, her shoes still hurt by the end of the day. Eventually, Jane reached out for help. What Are Bunions and Hammer Toes? Bunions are bony bumps at the base of the big toe that cause the toe to shift out of alignment. Hammer toes are bent, curled toes that can develop from the pressure caused by bunions or from muscle imbalances. Both conditions can cause pain, difficulty walking, and trouble finding shoes that fit. What Can Be Done? Thankfully, Jane had options. Non-surgical treatment included: - Custom orthoses (prescription shoe inserts) to support her feet and reduce pressure. - Footwear advice to help find supportive, comfortable shoes. - Stretching and strengthening exercises to help improve balance and foot function. In some cases these options are not enough to provide symptom relief, and in Jane’s case, she explored surgical correction as her activities of daily living were being affected. Our Podiatric Surgeons explained the procedure clearly, and helped Jane understand how surgery could relieve pain, correct the deformity, and help her walk comfortably again. Ready to Take the First Step? If your feet are holding you back like Jane’s were, let’s talk. ✅ Book an appointment with one of our non-surgical podiatrists for a full assessment and personalised treatment plan. ✅ Or, if you’d like to explore surgical options, you can book a consultation with one of our Podiatric Surgeons, Julie Taranto or Michael Taranto.