How heel wedges treat plantar fasciitis

 Heel wedges can be a component of the treatment for plantar fasciitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis often results in heel pain, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

Here's how heel wedges may play a role in treating plantar fasciitis:

1. Reducing Excessive Pronation: Overpronation (excessive rolling inward of the foot) is a common factor associated with plantar fasciitis. Heel wedges, when strategically placed within shoes or incorporated into orthotic inserts, can help correct the alignment of the foot. By reducing overpronation, heel wedges aim to decrease stress on the plantar fascia, potentially alleviating pain and inflammation.

2. Altering Foot Biomechanics: Heel wedges may modify the biomechanics of the foot during walking or running. They can provide additional support to the arch and help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia.

3. Offloading Heel Pressure: Placing a wedge under the heel can help in offloading some of the pressure from the heel and the plantar fascia. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals whose plantar fasciitis symptoms are exacerbated by excessive pressure on the heel, such as during weight-bearing activities.

4. Improving Shock Absorption: Heel wedges may also enhance shock absorption, reducing the impact on the heel and plantar fascia during activities like walking or running. This can contribute to a more comfortable and less inflammatory environment for the plantar fascia.

5. Supporting the Arch: Proper arch support is essential in managing plantar fasciitis. Heel wedges, especially when incorporated into orthotic devices, can provide additional support to the arch, promoting a more natural and stable foot position.

It's important to note that while heel wedges can be a valuable component of a comprehensive treatment plan for plantar fasciitis, they are often used in conjunction with other interventions. These may include stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, ice application, anti-inflammatory medications, and lifestyle modifications.

Atlas Biomechanics manufactures two styles of heel wedges. One is a full heel wedge and a smaller medial heel wedge.

Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

Rubber Heel Wedges

Rubber Heel Wedges can be used for pronation or supination problems of the foot and ankle. Heel wedges are designed to help align the calcaneus (heel) at the SubTalar Joint during ambulation to limit excessive pronation or supination. Heel wedges improve foot function by stabilizing weak, rotating ankles, knee and lower back issues.

Rubber varus heel wedge is useful for patients with over pronation, plantar fasciitis, heel spur, weak unstable ankles, and medial knee pain. The rubber heel wedge is placed on the medial side of the shoe to treat varus issues. To treat valgus issues, the rubber heel wedge is placed on the later side of the heel in the shoe. 

Atlas Biomechanics' rubber heel wedges are 7 degrees and manufactured from medical grade rubber. They will not flatten out. The heel wedges can be flipped over to treat either varus or valgus conditions.

Research shows that patients with early medial osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with lateral heel wedges and were followed for a period of 7 years and 5 months to 12 years. Those who were treated with valgus heel wedges and analgesics showed a significantly greater improvement in pain score than those treated with analgesics only.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Atlas Biomechanics : Indications for a Heel Wedge

Atlas Biomechanics : Indications for a Heel Wedge: Varus or Valgus Heel Wedge can help treat over pronation or supination of the subtalar joint. They a are a simple inexpensive medical device...

Indications for a Heel Wedge

Varus or Valgus Heel Wedge can help treat over pronation or supination of the subtalar joint. They a are a simple inexpensive medical device that is placed under the shoe's insole at the back of the shoe.

A varus or valgus heel wedges that can be easily fabricated from our adjustable heel lift, the Triple V Heel Lift are meant to decrease either supination or pronation of the subtalar joint. Improving the stabilization of the subtalar joint with a varus or valgus heel wedge can improve foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back function. A heel wedge can improve an abnormal heel strike and decrease painful joint motion further up the kinetic chain.

Indications for a Varus Heel Wedge:
1. Excessive subtalar joint pronation (flatfoot, collapsing arch)
2. Medial ankle sprains
3. Shin splints
4. Medial knee syndromes
5. Plantar fasciitis
6. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Indications for a Valgus Heel Wedge:
1. Excessive subtalar joint supination
2. Lateral ankle sprains
3. Lateral knee syndromes
4. Peroneal tendonitis

Atlas Biomechanics manufacturers heel wedges in either rubber or cork here in the USA.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Atlas Biomechanics : Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for Pronation...

Atlas Biomechanics : Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for Pronation...: Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for pronation or supination problems of the foot and ankle. Heel Wedges are designed to help align the ...

Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for Pronation or Supination

Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for pronation or supination problems of the foot and ankle. Heel Wedges are designed to help align the calcaneus (heel) during ambulation to limit excessive pronation or supination. They improve foot function by stabilizing weak, rotating ankles.

One of the most common uses of a heel wedge is for Pes Planus or flat foot. When used as a pronation prevention heel wedge, it can help prevent over pronation of the foot and ankle. Patients with Plantar Fasciitis can also benefit from the prevention of over pronation.

The valgus heel wedge is useful for patients with early medial compartment osteoarthritis provided it is used with an understanding of the indications and its limitations. Research shows that patients with early medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with lateral heel wedges and were followed for a period of 7 years and 5 months to 12 years. Those who were treated with valgus heel wedges and analgesics showed a significantly greater improvement in pain score than those treated with analgesics only.

Atlas Biomechanics produces professional heel wedges made from medical grade rubber cork.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

8 Degree Varus/Valgus Heel Wedge, Cork Rubber

Varus/Valgus Heel Wedges can be used for pronation or supination problems of the foot and ankle. Heel Wedges are designed to help align the calcaneus (heel) during ambulation to limit excessive pronation or supination. They improve foot function by stabilizing weak, rotating ankles.

The valgus heel wedge is useful for patients with early medial compartment osteo-arthritis provided it is used with an understanding of the indications and its limitations. Research shows that patients with early medial compartment osteo-arthritis of the knee were treated with lateral heel wedges and were followed for a period of 7 years and 5 months to 12 years. Those who were treated with valgus heel wedges and analgesics showed a significantly greater improvement in pain score than those treated with analgesics only.

Professional Grade Cork Rubber Heel Wedges
*Medical Grade Rubber Cork
*5 lifts bulk pack
*8 degree Inversion or Eversion
*Correct Pronation: Thicker Side Facing Inward (Heel Varus Wedge)

*Correct Supination: Thicker Side Facing Outward (Heel Valgus Wedge)
*Long lasting, Comfortable
*Made in the USA by Atlas Biomechanics

Sizes: Small 2" (5.1cm) width, Medium 2 1/2" (6.4cm) width, Large 3" (7.4cm) width

Made from Medical Grade Rubber Cork

Produced by us in the USA by Atlas Biomechanics.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Orthotic Blanks: Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge

Orthotic Blanks: Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge: A varus or valgus heel wedge s that can be easily fabricated from our adjustable heel lift, the Triple V Heel Lift are meant to decrease ei...

Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge

A varus or valgus heel wedges that can be easily fabricated from our adjustable heel lift, the Triple V Heel Lift are meant to decrease either supination or pronation of the subtalar joint. Improving the stabilization of the subtalar joint with a varus heel wedge or a valgus heel wedge can improve foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back function. A heel wedge can improve an abnormal heel strike and drecrease painful joint, muscle and tendon motion further up the kinetic chain.

Some examples were a practitioner would us our Triple V Heel Lift with its either valgus or varus heel wedge. A typical patient with limb length discrepancy will have their short leg in subtalar supination to compensate and basicly to get their foot on the ground. As the patient goes through the gait cycle, they will have excessive pronation at the subtalar joint.  If one would place our height adjustable shoe lift into a varus wedge, then the heel (calcaneus) is stabilized at heel strike.

Indications for a varus heel wedge:
1. excessive subtalar joint pronation (flatfoot, collapsing arch)
2. medial ankle sprains
3. shin splints
4. plantar fasciitis
5. posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
6. calcaneal eversion
7. medial knee syndromes

Indications for a valgus heel wedge:
1. excessive subtalar joint supination
2. lateral ankle sprains
3. lateral knee syndromes
4. peroneal tendonitis
5. calcaneal inversion

View our Triple V Heel Lift, the only height adjustable heel lift with a varus or valgus heel wedge.

by Teri Green