Application of the New Protocol for Plantar Heel Pain

Original Editor - Merinda Rodseth based on the course by Bernice Saban


Top Contributors - Merinda Rodseth, Wanda van Niekerk, Kim Jackson, Jess Bell, Olajumoke Ogunleye and Ewa Jaraczewska  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The application of the “new protocol” for plantar heel pain (PHP) will be discussed in three distinct parts:

  1. Assessment of the patient
  2. Planning of the initial session
  3. Planning of the treatment series

Patient Assessment[edit | edit source]

“Not only will a thorough subjective exam tell you what the problem(s) are, but also how to treat them” - Geoff Maitland

Communication plays an essential role in the assessment process and effective, competent clinical communication skills are key to high-quality healthcare.[1] Different communication techniques, such as motivational interviewing, also have positive effects on the outcomes of physiotherapy treatment.[2] Following the principles of motivational interviewing, communication with the patient should include: [3][4][5][6][7]

  • Open questions
  • Patient involvement
  • Empathy
  • Active listening
  • Use of reflections
  • Explanations during the interview

Assessment is one of the cornerstones of the physiotherapeutic approach.[8] While the principles of musculoskeletal assessment are universal, it is important to also focus specifically on the patient's complaint/area of concern, which in this instance is the heel.

The typical musculoskeletal assessment includes:[8][9]

  • Subjective assessment (interview)
  • Objective/physical examination
Figure 1. Aspects included in the Subjective Assessment of PHPS [3]


The interview should include (Figure 1):[3]

  • Personal information
  • Analysis of the symptoms to determine whether the condition is typical or atypical
  • Differential diagnosis of the sources of heel pain, including systemic sources, yellow flags and red flags
  • Functional measures including functional limitations
  • General health


Typical questions asked in a thorough interview (subjective evaluation) include (Figure 2 and 3):[3][9][10]

  • Areas of pain
  • History of the complaint
  • Behaviour of the symptoms (factors that provoke and ease symptoms, 24-hour behaviour)
  • Functional difficulties

PHP Ax form part1 Area.png

Figure 2. Heel Pain Specific Examination Form - Location, Pain and History

PHP Ax form part 2 Behaviour.png

Figure 3. Heel Pain Specific Examination Form - Behaviour of the Symptoms

The interview is followed by the physical examination of the patient, which includes (Figures 4 and 5):[3]

  • Physical measures
    • For PHPS, these measures include the 3 heel pain tests previously discussed[11]
  • Relevant additional tests to support the estimated diagnosis and whether the presentation is typical or atypical
  • Investigation of other sources of heel pain, including the spine, systemic disease, yellow flags and red flags


PHP Ax form part 3 Phys examfinal.jpg

Figure 4. Heel Pain Specific Examination Form - Physical Examination[3]

PHP Ax form part 4 PE other testsfinal.jpg

Figure 5. Heel Pain Specific Examination Form - Physical examination[3]

Completion of the examination includes (Figure 6):[3]

  • Setting of functional and clinical treatment goals[12]
  • Planning of the treatment interventions - manual therapy and exercises
  • Explanations to the patient including:[13]
    • Information about PHPS
    • Recommendations and advice
    • Answering questions
    • Information about the treatment plan

Completion of examination.jpg

Figure 6. Completion of the Examination [3]

Planning of the Initial Sessions[edit | edit source]

Each treatment session will include 3 main sections:

  • Assessment
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise therapy


The first treatment session should include:

For the second treatment session, it is necessary to establish “what has changed” since the previous session with the patient through reassessment. From here on, each treatment should be customised for the patient in order to comprehensively address their needs.

The second treatment will include an assessment of the functional measures as reported by the patient (Figure 7). These generally include the level, frequency and duration of the pain with “first steps in the morning”, followed by other measures previously reported by the patient.[3]

Functional measure reassessment.jpg

Figure 7. Functional Measures[3]

Following the reassessment of the functional measures, the clinical measures (3 clinical tests) should also be reassessed based on the (Figure 8):

  • Level of pain
  • Number of repetitions
  • Time standing


Clinical Measures.jpg

Figure 8. Reassessment of the Clinical Measures [3]

A summary of the steps to follow during the second treatment session is provided in Figure 9:

Second treatment outlay.jpg

Figure 9. Second Treatment Session [3]

All follow-up sessions should follow the sequence of the first session while progressing the exercises as necessary (Figure 10).

Outlay of follow up sessions PHPS.jpg

Figure 10. Approach to Follow-Up Visits [3]

Planning the Treatment Series[edit | edit source]

Management of the treatment series will be mostly determined by the functional and clinical measures (Figure 11). If there is a 90-100 percent improvement in these measures, patients can be discharged from therapy  with advice to:[3]

  • Continue with the stretch exercises to prevent deterioration of their condition
  • Incorporate self-massage of the calf muscles


It is also important to note that the effect of the deep friction massage and the stretch exercises might not be immediate as it takes time for the tissues to change and adapt. Treatments can also be varied as the patient progresses through the treatment series by:[3]

  • Including different exercises
  • Incorporating different muscles in the massage
  • Adapting the advice to the patient

Management of the treatment series PHPS.jpg

Figure 11. Management of the Treatment Series [3]

On average, six to eight treatments provided at a frequency of one to two times per week should be sufficient to alleviate symptoms of heel pain in individuals with PHPS.[3][14] Even if no improvement occurred in the functional and clinical measures after 4-5 treatments, treatment should be continued. [15] Change in the calf muscles with palpation (more pliable, less stiff, fewer painful areas) can also be used to measure improvement should there be no change in the functional or clinical measures after six treatments (Figure 11).  If no improvement occurs and the patient reports worsening of the symptoms which cannot be attributed to treatment soreness, it is necessary to refer to a physician.[3]

Patients should be encouraged to return to function, including walking and a gradual return to sports. Research has shown an association between a lack of participation in regular exercise and PHPS, affirming that walking, running and sports are not risk factors for PHPS, but rather protective against it.[14][16]

Patients often arrive at physiotherapy with ideas from friends/family of what is needed to alleviate their symptoms. Figure 12 provides an example of a conversation that the therapist can have with a patient who is demanding treatment modalities that might have a limited effect on their condition.[3]

Option for conversation PHPS.jpg

Figure 12. Option for Conversation with a Patient[3]

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

The series on PHPS has provided clinicians with:[3]

  • An assessment tool that that provides immediate and useful measures and is cost-free and easy to apply
  • A manual therapy intervention which includes deep friction massage and exercise
  • A self-exercise programme

These tools provide pain relief and enable a return to function for the patient.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Iversen ED, Wolderslund MO, Kofoed PE, Gulbrandsen P, Poulsen H, Cold S et al. Codebook for rating clinical communication skills based on the Calgary-Cambridge Guide. BMC Med Educ. 2020;20(1):140.
  2. Hiller A, Delany C. Communication in physiotherapy: Challenging established theoretical approaches. Manipulating Practices: A Critical Physiotherapy Reader. 2018:308-33. 
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 Bernice Saban. Application of the New Protocol for Plantar Heel Pain. Plus Course. 2021
  4. Norris M, Eva G, Fortune J, Frater T, Breckon J. Educating undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy students in motivational interviewing: the student perspective. BMC medical education. 2019 Dec;19(1):1-7.   
  5. Pace BT, Dembe A, Soma CS, Baldwin SA, Atkins DC, Imel ZE. A multivariate meta-analysis of motivational interviewing process and outcome. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2017 Aug;31(5):524.  
  6. Hashim MJ. Patient-centered communication: basic skills. American family physician. 2017 Jan 1;95(1):29-34.   
  7. Diener I. Physiotherapy support for self-management of persisting musculoskeletal pain disorders. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021 Oct 29;77(1):1564.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Hengeveld E (ed.), Banks K (ed.), Maitland GD. Maitland's peripheral manipulation. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann; 2005.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Alazzawi S, Sukeik M, King D, Vemulapalli K. Foot and ankle history and clinical examination: A guide to everyday practice. World journal of orthopedics. 2017 Jan 18;8(1):21  
  10. Killens D. Mobilizing the Myofascial System: A Clinical Guide to Assessment and Treatment of Myofascial Dysfunctions. Edinburgh: Handspring Publishing; 2018.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Saban B, Masharawi Y. Three single leg standing tests for clinical assessment of chronic plantar heel pain syndrome: static stance, half-squat and heel rise. Physiotherapy. 2017 Jun 1;103(2):237-44.
  12. Stevens A, Köke A, van der Weijden T, Beurskens A. The development of a patient-specific method for physiotherapy goal setting: a user-centered design. Disability and rehabilitation. 2018 Aug 14;40(17):2048-55. 
  13. Cotchett M, Rathleff MS, Dilnot M, Landorf KB, Morrissey D, Barton C. Lived experience and attitudes of people with plantar heel pain: a qualitative exploration. Journal of foot and ankle research. 2020 Dec;13(1):1-9.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Saban B, Deutscher D, Ziv T. Deep massage to posterior calf muscles in combination with neural mobilization exercises as a treatment for heel pain: a pilot randomized clinical trial. Manual therapy. 2014 Apr 1;19(2):102-8.
  15. Morrissey D, Cotchett M, J'Bari AS, Prior T, Griffiths IB, Rathleff MS, Gulle H, Vicenzino B, Barton CJ. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. British journal of sports medicine. 2021 Oct 1;55(19):1106-18.
  16. Van Leeuwen KD, Rogers J, Winzenberg T, van Middelkoop M. Higher body mass index is associated with plantar fasciopathy/‘plantar fasciitis’: systematic review and meta-analysis of various clinical and imaging risk factors. British journal of sports medicine. 2016 Aug 1;50(16):972-81.