To the extent that foot pain or a heel pain can be attributed to a specific disease, see drug therapy, surgery, and “other therapy” under that disease.
General measures
- Cool and spare
- Avoid predominant activities while standing!
- Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
- Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (Body Mass Index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis.
- BMI ≥ 25 → Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
Medical aids
- Insoles supply
- Heel spur: pressure relief by orthopedic insoles (e.g., “hole insole,” i.e., hollowing out the shoe insole); see below the topic of the same name.
- Foot deformities (e.g., fallen splayfoot (Pes transversoplanus)): see below the topic of the same name.
- Hallux rigidus (synonyms: Osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint; metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness; hallux non extensus; hallux flexus; hallux limitus; wear of the metatarsophalangeal joint): see below the topic of the same name.
- Hallux valgus (bunion big toe, bunion toe, X-big toe, crooked toe): see below the topic of the same name.
- Morton’s neuralgia (synonyms: Morton’s metatarsalgia, Morton’s syndrome or Morton’s neuroma): foot bedding with targeted support where the neuroma is located; roll-off aid; if necessary, also shoe technical care.
- Orthotics (medical device used to stabilize, relieve, immobilize, guide or correct limbs or the trunk).
- Heel spur: see below the topic of the same name.
- A meta-analysis of over 20 randomized controlled trials showed that foot orthoses were of little help for plantar heel pain, regardless of which model was prescribed. Notice: Within one year, symptoms completely resolve in 80% of patients regardless of treatment method.
Sports medicine
- Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training) depending on the cause of the foot pain.
- Consistent stretching of the calf muscles (in the case of heel spurs: targeted stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle (“two-bellied calf muscle”) as well as the soleus muscle (clod muscle; skeletal muscle of the lower leg), several times a day for at least three months), if necessary, start in the context of physiotherapy for the patient’s induction.
- Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines on the basis of a medical check (health check or athlete check).
- Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.
Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)
- Cold therapy (cryotherapy) – has analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory), and decongestant effects; often shows positive effects after about 2 weeks.
- Ultrasound therapy – this form of therapy is used primarily for chronic degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Complementary treatment methods
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) – especially for chronic insertional tendopathy (irritation at the junction between tendon and bone (= insertion), usually caused by overload)The final report of IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care), comparing ESWT with sham treatments, showed evidence and evidence of benefit of ESWT for heel pain in pain and physical functional status, respectively.
