Plantar Fasciitis – Heel Pain Relief & Treatment in South London

Insight MSK – Specialist Musculoskeletal Clinic

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis, also known medically as plantar fasciopathy or plantar fasciosis, is a common cause of heel pain. It refers to degeneration and micro-damage of the plantar fascia, sometimes with a secondary inflammatory component – The plantar fasica is a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot from the heel bone to the toes. This tissue supports the arch of your foot and helps absorb shock as you walk or run.

The classic symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain under the heel, particularly during the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. The pain often eases a little as you warm up, only to return later in the day after prolonged standing or walking.

  • Overuse through standing, walking or running
  • Sudden increases in physical activity
  • Poor footwear with inadequate cushioning or support
  • Excess body weight
  • Tight calf or Achilles muscles
  • Flat feet or high arches
    These risk points align with recognised clinical guidance on heel pain and plantar fascia strain.

In most patients, plantar fasciitis develops due to a combination of load, biomechanics, and tissue capacity rather than a single cause.

How We Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis

At Insight MSK, we use diagnostic ultrasound as part of your consultation. Ultrasound helps confirm plantar fascia thickening, degeneration, and associated changes, and also helps exclude other causes of heel pain such as fat pad pathology or stress injury. Before any injection treatment, we perform a full ultrasound-led assessment to ensure the planned therapy is suitable for your individual case.

Treatment: Cortisone Injections for Plantar Fasciitis

We are a leading clinic offering ultrasound-guided corticosteroid (steroid) injections for the management of plantar fasciitis pain. These injections are delivered precisely with ultrasound guidance to maximise effectiveness and minimise risk.

Corticosteroid injections can rapidly reduce pain and increase mobility. When combined with a physiotherapist-prescribed exercise programme, they are shown to be an effective treatment option for many patients.

Following injection, you will receive a written report and personalised exercise plan to help address the underlying causes of your symptoms and support recovery.

Why Choose Ultrasound-Guided Injections?

Ultrasound guidance allows us to:

  • Confirm the exact anatomical cause of your heel pain
  • Deliver treatment with precision to the affected area
  • Improve safety and treatment effectiveness

These advantages make ultrasound-guided injections a preferred option compared to blind injection techniques. Landmark-guided (blind) injections can miss the target or affect surrounding tissues, particularly the heel fat pad.

Repeated or poorly placed steroid injections can increase the risk of plantar fascia rupture or heel fat pad irritation, which is why ultrasound guidance and appropriate patient selection are important.

Please note that injections are NOT Recommended with acute plantar fascia tear.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your first step is a free virtual consultation to discuss your symptoms and medical history. If appropriate, your in-person visit will include:

  • Diagnostic ultrasound assessment
  • Ultrasound-guided cortisone injection (if indicated)
  • Post-treatment guidance and rehabilitation plan

Cost of Treatment

Our plantar fasciitis injection treatments start from £320, which includes:

  • Initial telephone consultation
  • Diagnostic ultrasound
  • Ultrasound-guided injection
  • Written report and care plan
  • Exercise prescription if appropriate