Adam Hutchinson
Background
Adam Hutchinson, 64, loved his daily walks—but increasing heel and arch pain made even short strolls uncomfortable.
He reported:
- Pain in the heel first thing in the morning, which would ease by the time he had breakfast and got ready
- The pain would then return if he walked longer distances
- He had pain after sitting for extended periods
Case Study Disclaimer: The case studies presented are based on real patients from Foot Factor. All names and identifying details have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
Assessment
At Foot Factor, our assessment pointed to plantar fasciitis, made worse by worn-out footwear and poor foot mechanics.
His biomechanical assessment suggested:
- Tight and weak calf muscles, leading to tightness through the plantar fascia
- Stiff big toe joints leading to greater tensile load to the plantar fascia and poor propulsion in gait
- Worn out shoes providing poor stability at the hind foot, and excessive flexibility at the forefoot
Intervention
We provided taping for immediate relief, and prescribed bespoke orthotics tailored for walking support and comfort, to offload the plantar fascia and aid in propulsive gait.
We implemented gentle mobility exercises at first, progressing to strengthening exercises and suggested a trusted physiotherapist local to him.
We provided a course of three sessions of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy to reduce his pain and aid in healing.
We suggested he visited a local shoe retailer for a proper fitting for walking shoes to accommodate his new orthotics and provide comfort and stability for his daily walks.
Results
Gradually, Adams pain reduced and within weeks, Adam was back to his regular park routes—pain-free and walking further than he had in years.