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Condition guide

Chronic foot pain

Chronic foot pain is any foot pain that persists for more than three months or continues to return despite rest or previous treatment. Unlike acute injuries that typically heal within a few weeks, chronic foot pain often develops gradually and can significantly affect your ability to walk, exercise, work and enjoy everyday activities.

Because the foot is made up of 26 bones, more than 30 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, there are many different conditions that can contribute to ongoing pain. Identifying the underlying cause is the key to achieving long-term relief.

At Shellharbour Podiatry, we take the time to thoroughly assess your symptoms and develop a personalised treatment plan aimed at addressing the cause of your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.

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Illustration showing several possible areas of persistent foot pain

What to know

Key points about Chronic foot pain

  • What causes chronic foot pain?

    High-Intensity Laser TherapyThere are many possible causes of persistent foot pain. Common conditions we diagnose and treat include:

    – Plantar fasciitis
    – Foot and ankle osteoarthritis
    – Achilles tendinopathy
    – Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
    – Morton’s neuroma
    – Stress fractures
    – Ligament injuries
    – Heel pain syndrome
    – Tendon overload
    – Previous foot or ankle injuries
    – Poor foot biomechanics
    – Inappropriate footwear
    – Nerve irritation or entrapment

    Sometimes more than one condition may be contributing to your symptoms, which is why a comprehensive assessment is so important.

  • How is chronic foot pain diagnosed?

    Diagnosing chronic foot pain begins with a detailed consultation and biomechanical assessment.

    Your podiatrist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, activity levels and previous treatments before assessing your walking pattern, foot posture, joint movement and muscle function.

    Where necessary, we may recommend imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound or MRI to confirm the diagnosis or exclude more serious conditions. If you have already undergone imaging, be sure to bring your scans or reports to your appointment.

    Once we understand the underlying cause of your pain, we can develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

  • Treatment options for Chronic Foot Pain

    The most effective treatment depends on the underlying cause of your pain. Our podiatrists often combine several evidence-based treatments, tailored to your goals.

    Advanced HIRO TT Laser Therapy

    Available exclusively at our Shellharbour City clinic, HIRO TT High-Intensity Laser Therapy is an advanced treatment option for selected patients with chronic foot pain.

    The HIRO TT is designed to help reduce pain and inflammation while promoting the body’s natural healing response. It may be particularly beneficial for patients with chronic tendon injuries, osteoarthritis and persistent musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded to traditional conservative care.

    Custom Orthotics

    Custom orthotics help improve foot biomechanics, reduce excessive pressure on painful structures and provide long-term support during walking and everyday activities.

    Footwear Advice

    Supportive footwear is an essential component of managing chronic foot pain. Our podiatrists can recommend footwear that complements your treatment plan and reduces unnecessary stress on your feet.

    Rehabilitation and Strengthening

    Targeted strengthening and mobility exercises help restore normal movement, improve muscle function and reduce the likelihood of symptoms returning.

    Manual Therapy

    Joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, dry needling and other manual therapy techniques may be used to improve mobility, reduce muscle tension and assist recovery.

    Shockwave Therapy

    For selected tendon conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy, shockwave therapy may be discussed as an adjunct after assessment, with variable evidence and results.

    Load Management

    Small changes to your activity levels, exercise routine and daily habits can significantly reduce irritation and allow damaged tissues time to recover.

Specialised option Shellharbour City

HIRO TT laser assessment at Shellharbour City

Persistent foot or ankle pain can have several causes. Once the cause is clearer, the Shellharbour City team can discuss whether HIRO TT high-intensity laser has a reasonable role within a broader care plan.

Suitability, evidence and individual response vary. Assessment comes first, and laser would be an adjunct rather than a stand-alone replacement for diagnosis, load management, exercise or other appropriate care.

Explore HIRO TT laser View Shellharbour City clinic

Straight answers

Frequently asked questions about Chronic foot pain

Why won't my foot pain go away?

Persistent foot pain often indicates that an underlying condition has not been fully diagnosed or treated. Problems such as tendon injuries, arthritis, nerve irritation or biomechanical abnormalities may continue to place stress on the foot, preventing it from healing properly.

When should I see a podiatrist for chronic foot pain?

If your foot pain has lasted longer than a few weeks, continues to return or is affecting your ability to walk, work or exercise, it’s important to have it assessed. Early diagnosis can often prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.

Can chronic foot pain be treated without surgery?

In many cases, yes. Most people respond well to conservative treatment including orthotics, rehabilitation, footwear modifications, shockwave therapy or advanced HIRO TT Laser Therapy. Surgery is generally considered only when appropriate conservative treatment has not provided sufficient improvement.

Can high intensity laser therapy help chronic foot pain?

For suitable patients, HIRO TT High-Intensity Laser Therapy may help reduce pain and inflammation while supporting tissue healing. It is commonly used alongside other treatments as part of a comprehensive management plan for persistent musculoskeletal conditions.

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