Arch Pain

Arch Pain Treatment at The London Podiatry Centre

Arch pain is a common issue, and at The London Podiatry Centre, we focus on getting the diagnosis right — not just treating assumptions.

The most frequent cause is plantar fasciitis, where the strong ligament supporting the arch (the plantar fascia) becomes strained, leading to pain in the arch or heel. However, we frequently see patients who were told they had plantar fasciitis, only to discover a different underlying problem.

Other causes of arch pain include:

Tendonitis, especially involving the tibialis posterior tendon
Stress reactions or early stress fractures near the navicular bone

That’s why we never begin treatment without a definitive diagnosis. Every patient receives a high-resolution ultrasound scan, which confirms the condition and helps monitor progress throughout care.

Why Does Arch Pain Occur?

Arch pain can arise from multiple structures in the foot. Correct diagnosis is critical because different causes require very different treatments. Without identifying the root problem, many treatments simply fail.

Some of the most common causes of arch pain include:

Plantar fasciitis (arch variant): In many cases, plantar fasciitis affects the arch itself rather than the heel.
Plantar fibroma: A benign lump or thickening within the plantar fascia that produces pain under the arch.
Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction: This tendon supports the arch and inserts into the navicular bone. Dysfunction may cause pain both in the ankle and directly at its attachment in the arch.
Accessory navicular syndrome: A small extra bone attached to the navicular, which can become irritated and painful, especially if loose or hypermobile.
Midfoot arthritis: While midfoot arthritis often produces pain on the top of the foot, it may also cause plantar arch pain, especially if multiple joints are involved.
Spring ligament injury: Injury to this important ligament destabilises the arch and produces chronic discomfort.
Stress fractures: Tiny cracks can develop in the midfoot bones such as the navicular or cuneiforms, especially in active individuals or those with poor foot mechanics.
Ligament sprains and soft tissue strain: Overuse or trauma to the soft tissues of the arch.
Nerve irritation: Less commonly, small nerves in the arch may become irritated, contributing to arch pain.

Specialist Diagnostic Approach

At The London Podiatry Centre, every patient with arch pain undergoes a full diagnostic workup to ensure that no cause is missed. Our diagnostic tools include:

High-resolution diagnostic ultrasound
Computerised gait analysis and full biomechanical assessment
Targeted imaging including X-ray, CT, or MRI if required

Many patients who have failed previous treatments have simply never received an accurate diagnosis — this is where our Centre excels.

Comprehensive Arch Pain Treatments

Once the exact cause of your arch pain is identified, we design a highly individualised treatment plan aimed at both symptom relief and long-term resolution.

Our treatment options include:

Biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to uncover the root cause
Custom orthotics and tailored footwear solutions
Shockwave therapy, widely used and clinically effective
Targeted injections for pain and inflammation
Advanced options like cryosurgery and radiofrequency therapy for nerve-related or chronic cases

Surgical treatments — such as plantar fascia release or nerve decompression — are available but rarely required, and only considered when all other options have been explored.

Whatever the cause, we provide expert, individualised care to help relieve your arch pain and restore comfort.

Custom orthotic devices to support and stabilise the arch, reducing abnormal forces.
Footwear modification to offload the painful structures.
Activity adjustments to reduce strain during healing.
Targeted rehabilitation for strengthening, stability, and flexibility.

Steroid injections for inflamed tissues and tendons.
Hydrodissection to release scar tissue or nerve entrapments.
Needling techniques to stimulate healing in chronic plantar fascia and fibroma cases.

For nerve-related arch pain or cases not responding to standard care, we offer:

Pulsed Radiofrequency Therapy: Modulates nerve pain in a non-destructive way.
Cryosurgery (Cryoablation): Precisely freezes problematic nerve fibres while preserving healthy sensation.

Surgery is very rarely needed for arch pain, but may be considered in select cases, such as large fibromas, severe accessory navicular problems, or tendon reconstruction when conservative care has failed.

Why Choose The London Podiatry Centre for Arch Pain?

Expert diagnosis: We identify what others often miss, using world-class imaging and biomechanical analysis.
Specialist expertise: We treat the full spectrum of arch pain — plantar fascia, tendons, joints, ligaments, nerves, and bone.
Advanced treatment options: Including nerve therapies, ultrasound-guided injections, orthotic design, and minimally invasive procedures.
International referrals: Patients travel from across the UK and abroad for our expertise.
Over 30 years of experience resolving complex foot and ankle problems.

Don’t let arch pain continue to affect your daily life. Many patients come to us after months or years of frustration elsewhere. At The London Podiatry Centre, we don’t guess — we diagnose precisely, treat effectively, and aim for long-term resolution.