Heel spur · Plantar fasciitis · Vienna
That sharp stab under the heel with the very first steps in the morning is one of the most common foot complaints – and one of the most treatable. As an English-speaking specialist in Vienna, I treat plantar fasciitis (the "heel spur") the way it should be: conservatively, effectively, and almost always without surgery.
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The pain almost always comes from the plantar fascia – the strong band of tissue that runs along the sole – being irritated where it attaches to the heel bone. The bony "spur" often seen on an X-ray is a consequence, not the cause: many people have a spur and no pain at all.
That is why the correct term is plantar fasciitis, and why treatment targets the irritated tissue – not the harmless bit of bone.
Start-up pain: sharp pain under the heel with the first steps in the morning or after sitting
Eases with movement but returns after long standing or walking
Point tenderness on the underside of the heel, towards the inner edge
Common triggers: running, a lot of standing, new footwear, tight calves, weight gain
The great majority of heels settle without any operation. The plan is simple – but it needs to be done consistently.
Regular stretching of the calf and plantar fascia, well-fitting insoles that support the arch, sensible footwear, and temporarily reducing the aggravating load. This is the foundation that resolves most cases.
If the pain persists, shockwave therapy stimulates the healing of the irritated tissue – a well-evidenced, non-surgical option delivered directly in the practice.
Only the small minority of cases that remain severely limiting after many months of proper treatment are candidates for a procedure. For almost everyone, it never comes to this – and I'll tell you so honestly.
The one thing that trips people up is expecting a quick fix. Plantar fasciitis often takes several months to settle, and the improvement is gradual rather than sudden. The people who do best are the ones who keep up the stretching and insole routine even once things start to feel better.
Done properly, over 90% become pain-free without ever needing surgery.
Why patients with heel pain come to me
Yes, that is the classic symptom: the sharp start-up pain under the heel with the first steps in the morning, which eases once you get moving, strongly suggests plantar fasciitis – colloquially a heel spur. With stretching, insoles and shockwave therapy, over 90% of people become pain-free without surgery; patience is needed, though, as healing often takes several months.
The pain almost always comes from the plantar fascia – the strong band of tissue along the sole – being irritated where it attaches to the heel bone. The bony 'spur' seen on X-ray is a consequence, not the cause: many people have a spur without any pain. So we treat the plantar fasciitis, not the spur itself.
Almost never. The great majority of cases resolve with conservative treatment – stretching, insoles, load management and, for stubborn cases, shockwave therapy. Surgery is a rare last resort reserved for the few patients who remain severely limited after many months of consistent, proper treatment.
The cornerstones are regular stretching of the calf and the plantar fascia, well-fitting insoles that support the arch, sensible footwear and load management. For pain that persists, shockwave therapy has good evidence for stimulating the healing of the irritated tissue. Together these settle the great majority of cases.
It takes patience: with consistent treatment most people improve within a few months, though a stubborn case can take longer. The key is to keep at the stretching and insole routine rather than expecting an overnight fix – and to treat the underlying overload.
Heel pain is one of the most treatable foot problems – let's get you a clear plan that works, in English, without rushing to surgery.
1040 Vienna: +43 1 585 62 60 · 1020 Vienna: +43 1 890 45 20
By prior appointment only · 1040 Vienna-Wieden (Große Neugasse 28/2) · 1020 Vienna-Leopoldstadt (Vorgartenstrasse 206c)