Quick guide
This page provides general health information and does not diagnose an individual condition. Persistent, worsening or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriately qualified health professional.

The short answer

A podiatrist can assess the foot, footwear and lower-limb factors that may be contributing. Imaging is not automatically needed for every painful heel; the next step depends on the history and examination.

It may be worth considering when…

Heel pain has persisted for several weeks or repeatedly returns.
Pain is affecting walking, work, exercise or footwear choice.
You are unsure whether the pain is coming from the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, heel pad, nerve or bone.
Basic activity and footwear changes have not produced meaningful improvement.

Questions worth asking

What exactly are we treating or trying to change?
What are my alternatives?
What improvement should I realistically expect?
How will we know whether it has worked?

When not to wait
Seek prompt medical assessment for severe pain after trauma, inability to bear weight, a hot red swollen heel or foot, fever, neurological symptoms, or persistent focal bone pain.

The Footpath Health approach

Footpath Health is designed to help you move from a symptom or question toward an appropriate next step without pretending that an online article can make an individual diagnosis. Sometimes that next step is self-management; sometimes it is podiatry, physiotherapy or GP assessment; and sometimes imaging or specialist care is appropriate.

Still not sure what the right next step is?

Tell Footpath Health what is bothering you and we can help guide you towards the most appropriate type of healthcare professional.

Start the Footpath Health assessment →