Heel Pain Treatment in London and Surrey
Heel pain can make walking, standing, running and everyday movement feel harder than it should. Pain in the heel of the foot can have several causes. It may come from the underside of the heel, the back of the heel, the heel pad or the area around the Achilles tendon.
You do not need to know exactly what is causing your painful heel before booking. An assessment can help identify where the pain is coming from, what may be contributing to it and what the most suitable next step may be.
What is heel pain?
Heel pain is a symptom, rather than a single diagnosis.
Some people feel a sharp pain under the heel when they first stand up. Others notice pain at the back of the heel, discomfort when walking or soreness that builds during the day.
Different problems can create similar symptoms. Heel pain may be linked to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon irritation, bursitis, heel pad irritation, overload, footwear, injury or changes in activity.
A heel spur may also be seen on imaging in some people. This is a small bony change near the heel bone, but it is not always the reason for pain.
Assessment helps connect your symptoms, foot function and activity demands, rather than relying on one finding alone.
Common symptoms of heel pain
Heel pain symptoms can vary depending on the area involved and what is irritating it. You may notice:
- Pain under the heel
- Pain at the back of the heel
- Pain in the heel when walking
- Heel pain after rest
- Pain during or after running
- Tenderness around the heel
- Swelling or local irritation
- Sudden heel pain without injury
- Pain that keeps coming back
The pattern of pain can be useful. Morning heel pain may suggest one type of problem, while pain at the back of the heel during activity may point towards something different. You do not need to self-diagnose. A podiatry assessment can help clarify what may be happening.
What can cause heel pain?
Heel pain causes are often linked to how the heel, foot and lower limb are loading.
Sometimes pain starts after a clear change, such as new shoes, more walking or a return to running. In other cases, symptoms build gradually without one obvious trigger.
Possible contributing factors include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hard surfaces
- Achilles tendon irritation
- Footwear that is not suited to your needs
- Bursitis around the heel
- Foot posture and loading patterns
- Heel pad irritation
- Calf tightness or weakness
- A sudden increase in walking, running or standing
- Previous foot, ankle or lower-limb injury
- Sport or work-related overload
- Skin problems affecting the heel area
Heel pain is not always caused by the heel alone. The way your foot, ankle, calf and lower limb work together may all be relevant.
Sudden heel pain without injury
Sudden heel pain without injury can feel confusing, especially if you cannot remember twisting, falling or knocking the foot. In some cases, pain may appear after an increase in load that did not feel significant at the time. This might include more walking than usual, standing for longer periods, changing footwear or returning to exercise.
Assessment may be helpful if the pain is sharp, persistent, worsening or affecting your ability to walk normally. Please seek urgent medical advice if heel pain is severe, follows an injury, prevents you from putting weight through the foot or is linked with significant swelling, sudden deformity, spreading redness, fever, pus, a deep wound or signs of infection.
When should you get heel pain assessed?
It is sensible to book an assessment with Stuart if heel pain is affecting how you move, work or exercise.
Assessment may be helpful if:
- Heel pain is affecting walking or standing
- You are unsure whether it is plantar fasciitis, Achilles pain or another heel problem
- Symptoms keep returning
- Pain has not improved with sensible self-care
- You are considering insoles or orthoses
- The painful area feels tender, swollen or irritated
- You have changed footwear but pain continues
- Pain is worse during or after running
- You have diabetes and foot pain
- You have tingling, numbness or altered sensation
Seek urgent medical help if you cannot walk, have severe pain after an injury, notice sudden deformity or have signs of infection.
How Stuart assesses heel pain
Your appointment is designed to understand your symptoms and the factors that may be contributing to them.
Stuart may assess:
- The exact location of your heel pain
- Foot posture and lower-limb movement
- When your symptoms started
- Walking or running gait where appropriate
- What makes the pain better or worse
- Footwear and work shoes
- Foot and ankle movement
- Sport, training or daily activity demands
- Tenderness under or behind the heel
- Previous injuries or treatment
- Calf and Achilles function
- Whether further investigation or referral may be needed
Gait analysis may be useful if your heel pain appears linked to the way you walk or run. A biomechanical assessment may also help if symptoms are recurring, activity-related or influenced by how your foot and lower limb are loading.
Stuart will explain the findings clearly, so you understand what may be contributing to your heel pain and what options may be suitable.
Heel pain treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause of your heel pain, your assessment findings, your activity level and your goals.
A plan may include:
- Footwear advice
- Load management
- Activity modification
- Stretching guidance
- Strengthening advice
- Gait or movement guidance
- Biomechanical assessment
- Foot orthoses where suitable
- Referral or onward care if needed
- Podiatry treatment for skin or nail-related heel pain where relevant
Orthoses are not needed for everyone. If Stuart thinks they may help support your foot function, loading or comfort, he will explain why and talk through the options.
Treatment suitability depends on your symptoms, health, medical history and assessment findings. Your assessment will guide the next step.
Heel pain when walking
Heel pain when walking often suggests that the painful area is being irritated by repeated load.
You may notice pain during the first few steps of the day, after sitting, on hard floors or after walking longer distances. Some people feel discomfort under the heel, while others feel it at the back of the heel or around the Achilles tendon.
Your assessment may look at how your foot meets the ground, how your ankle moves, whether your calf is contributing to strain and whether your footwear is helping or aggravating the problem.
The aim is to understand why walking is painful and guide a practical plan based on your symptoms.
Heel pain and running
Running places repeated force through the heel, foot and lower limb.
Heel pain may appear after increasing distance, changing pace, adding hills, switching shoes or returning after time away. It can also develop gradually when the foot and lower limb are not recovering well between sessions. Stuart is a runner himself, so he understands how frustrating heel pain can be when it interrupts training. Your assessment may consider footwear, running history, gait, calf function, recovery and how load is being managed.The goal is to help you understand what may be driving your symptoms and guide safe, practical next steps where possible.
Podiatry clinics in London and Surrey
Evolution Podiatry provides specialist foot, ankle and lower-limb care across London and Surrey. Choose the clinic that is most convenient for you, then book an appointment or speak to the clinic if you are unsure which location or appointment type is most suitable.
Notting Hill, W10
Specialist Podiatry care in Notting Hill for patients across West London.Wimbledon, SW19
Foot and lower-limb assessment in Wimbledon for patients across South West London.Woking, GU21
Podiatry appointments in Woking for patients across Surrey.
Meet Stuart Hodder
Stuart Hodder is a Specialist Podiatrist and the clinical lead at Evolution Podiatry. He works with patients experiencing foot, ankle and lower-limb pain, helping them understand what may be contributing to their symptoms and what the most suitable next step is.
His approach is calm, practical and personal. Patients see Stuart for clear explanations, careful assessment and treatment planning that is shaped around their symptoms, movement, footwear, activity level and goals.
Stuart has a particular interest in lower-limb function, biomechanics, gait analysis, sports and exercise injuries, child development and alignment concerns. This means he often looks beyond the painful area itself. His work involves assessing concerns such as heel pain, Achilles pain, shin splints, flat feet, sports injuries, gait problems, children’s foot concerns and orthotic needs.
- Specialist Podiatrist and a member of the Royal College of Podiatrists
- HCPC registered (CH14453)
- Experienced in NHS and private practice
- Strong interest in biomechanics and gait analysis
- Runner and cyclist with personal experience of injury and rehabilitation
- Registered and works with insurance medical providers
Heel pain FAQs
- What causes heel pain?
Heel pain can have several causes, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon irritation, bursitis, heel pad irritation, footwear, activity changes, overload or injury. Assessment helps clarify which factors may be involved.
- Why do I have pain in the heel of my foot when walking?
Pain in the heel when walking may be linked to how the foot is loading, irritation of soft tissues, footwear, calf function or a change in activity. The location and pattern of pain can help guide assessment.
- What is a heel spur?
A heel spur is a small bony change near the heel bone. It may be seen on imaging, but it is not always the cause of pain. Stuart can explain whether it appears relevant to your symptoms.
- Can heel pain start suddenly without an injury?
Yes. Sudden heel pain without injury can happen after a change in load, footwear, activity or standing demands. If pain is severe, worsening or affecting walking, it should be assessed.
- Do I need gait analysis for heel pain?
Not always. Gait analysis may be useful if your heel pain is linked to walking, running or recurring symptoms. Stuart will explain whether it is appropriate for you.
- Will I need orthoses?
Not everyone with heel pain needs orthoses. They may be discussed if your assessment suggests they could help support foot function, loading or comfort.
- Is heel pain a sign of cancer?
Heel pain is usually caused by more common foot or lower-limb problems. Cancer is not a common cause, but unexplained, worsening or severe night pain should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
- When should I seek urgent help for heel pain?
Seek urgent medical help if you have severe pain after an injury, cannot walk, notice sudden deformity, have spreading redness, fever, pus, a deep wound or signs of infection.
Insights
Helpful, plain English articles about foot pain, sports injuries, gait, children’s foot health and treatment options.
How your footwear can affect foot and lower-limb pain
Why does my foot hurt when I walk?
When should you see a Podiatrist for foot pain?
Book a heel pain assessment
If heel pain is affecting how you walk, run or stand, an assessment can help identify what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Book an assessment with Stuart to understand what may be driving your pain and what the most suitable next steps may be.