HeEL Pain Pathways Feasibility Study

This single-centre study will test the feasibility of using a SMART design to provide tailored treatment pathways for people with heel pain. The study will investigate areas of uncertainty relating to the feasibility of a future full-scale SMART study. Key objectives are to assess whether the research design is feasible (including whether enough people can be recruited), and to determine whether the proposed adaptive intervention pathways are acceptable to patients and NHS staff.

50 people with heel pain will be recruited from referrals received by the Podiatry department. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups initially - half will have a virtual consultation with a podiatrist; the other half will receive a self-help video. After following the advice at home for at least 4 weeks, anyone (in either group) who has not responded to treatment will be offered an assessment in an outpatient clinic. They will then be randomised equally again to receive either an orthotic device (shoe insole) or a course of 'Shockwave therapy' (using a non-invasive device to deliver ultrasound to the injured area).

As well as collecting Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for a total duration of 6 months for each participant, process evaluation methods (interviews and focus groups) will be used to talk to patients. They will be asked about their experiences of adaptive intervention pathways and of participating in the feasibility study. The researchers will also interview staff involved in trial design and delivery (clinical members of the study delivery team) about similar topics from a different perspective. Progression criteria will be used to help decide whether to continue with the plan to run a full-scale trial to test effectiveness of the treatment pathways.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or over
• Have symptomatic heel pain (in one or both feet)
• Able to speak, read and understand written and spoken English or Welsh
• Able to provide remote informed consent
• Access to internet and email, or DVD player, with technical support from family, friends or carers if necessary.

Exclusion criteria

• Taken part in a prescribed exercise intervention or used prescribed insoles (past 3 months)
• History of major trauma or fracture of the lower leg or below ankle surgery
• Heel pain secondary to a systemic condition/syndrome/malignancy
• Requires ankle-foot orthoses or lower limb device (splint)
• Diabetes or peripheral neuropathy
• History of inflammatory joint disease or autoimmune condition
• Chronic pain syndrome
• Pregnancy
• Pacemaker or other electrical implant
• Blood clotting disorder (haemophilia), blood clot (thrombosis), or current use of anticoagulant medication
• Cortisone injection therapy within the last two weeks
• Unable to complete exercises in self-help resources.