A case study: Effective Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
I wanted to share a recent case study describing treatment and outcome for a 60 year old male Kingston resident suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.
Background
This 60 year old active male patient came to the practice at the end of August 2025 with pain in the sole of his right foot. He had first noted some discomfort around Christmas 2024 but had been coping with it over the last 8 months. Now it was painful on his first few steps out if bed in the morning. Running and walking and being on his feet during the day were aggravating factors.
Assessment
The right sole of the foot around the arch and centre of the heel were both tender to palpate. It was also noted that there was some hip instability with the patient struggling to complete a reverse lunge standing on his right leg only. This in turn was causing the patient’s knee to adduct and increased pronation at the heel and mid foot.
Working Diagnosis
Plantar Fasciitis at medial cuniform (inside arch)and calcaneus (heel)
Micro – tears occur in the fascia (green) causing inflammation and pain
Treatment
The Patient had read about Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis but was unsure about what it might entail. Possibly electric shocks to the soles of his feet!
It was explained to him that Radial Shockwave Therapy uses sound waves through the heel pad tissues to the injured fascia. This in turn stimulates the injured tissue to kick start the healing process and to grow new collagen. At the same time the fascia releases a chemical that blocks pain receptors in that area so the patient will often report decreased pain levels in the heel either immediately after treatment or after 24hrs. The treatment would normally involve 4- 6 SWT sessions spread over a 4-6 week period combined with specific exercises to improve foot mobility and strength and stability in heel, knee and hip.
Post treatment
The patient reported a significant improvement in pain levels four days later when he came in for his follow up treatment. After 5 further treatments , each one between 5-7 days apart, combined with calf and heel flexibility exercises and some activation work for his hip complex, he was walking pain free.
Has this article helped you?
If this article has helped you recognise the symptoms that you may have been experiencing and you would like to find out more about effective Plantar Fasciitis treatment then please get in touch.
Phone: 0208 226 3767
email: hugo.firth@osteopathypartnership.com
