Heel Pain: Pathomechanics, Examination, and Outcomes Measures

Presented by Todd E. Davenport

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Video Runtime: 42 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 31 Minutes

Heel pain is a common, costly, and disabling problem. It can be challenging to stay updated and effectively integrate the latest findings into your practice, given the continually expanding body of research on this topic. This first part of a two-part course focuses on intervention recommendations based on the 2023 clinical practice guidelines update from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Topics include pathomechanics, clinical examination, differential diagnosis, and patient-reported outcomes measures. This course is designed to help you seamlessly apply new knowledge and skills to your clinical practice to improve your confidence and your patients’ outcomes.

Learning Objectives
  • Relate the pathoanatomy, pathomechanics, and risk factors for heel pain with resulting injury and disablement
  • Implement an evidence-based differential diagnosis for people living with heel pain
  • Plan an impairment- and function-based physical examination for people living with heel pain
  • Categorize clinical findings in preparation for planning interventions for people living with heel pain
  • Determine the strengths and limitations of using various patient-reported outcomes measures in people living with heel pain

Meet your instructor

Todd E. Davenport

Todd serves as professor and vice-chair of the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Todd is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s DPT and Orthopedic Physical…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Pathoanatomy, Risk Factors, and Differential Diagnosis

1. Pathoanatomy, Risk Factors, and Differential Diagnosis

Let’s start at the start. This chapter covers the latest research on the pathoanatomy and pathomechanics of heel pain, risk factors, and differential diagnosis. The information in this chapter will build a solid intellectual foundation for your clinical examination of a person living with heel pain.

Impairment- and Function-Based Examination

2. Impairment- and Function-Based Examination

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. In this chapter, you will learn the latest in best-practice recommendations for how to examine a person living with heel pain using valid and reliable clinical tests and measures. This chapter contains video demonstrations and patient examples to help you implement these examples into your everyday clinical practice.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures

3. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures

Walk a mile in your patients’ shoes through evidence-based measurement of their lived experiences. This chapter will discuss the evidence-based recommendations regarding patient-reported outcomes measures used to assess function and progress.