By Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M · Updated November 4, 2026
Sharp heel pain with your first steps out of bed, easing as you walk and coming back after you've been sitting, is the classic pattern of plantar fasciitis. This page is for English speakers living in Israel who want heel pain treated in English. Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M, is a podiatric surgeon who treats it in private practice. About Dr. Karf and his clinics.
General information, not personal medical advice.
When heel pain can't wait
Get urgent medical care the same day if you hurt your heel in a fall or accident and can't put weight on it, or if the heel is red, hot and swollen, or you have a fever. If you have diabetes, or numbness or tingling in the foot, get it examined soon and don't rely on home remedies.
Heel spur or plantar fasciitis?
Most people arrive sure they have a heel spur, because that's the name everyone knows. Usually the pain comes from inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. A spur is a bony growth on the heel bone, and it doesn't necessarily explain the pain. Some people have a spur on an X-ray and no pain. Others have severe pain and no spur.
This matters because treatment aims at the inflammation and the load that caused it, and not at the bump on the bone.
Who gets it
It is more likely if you work long hours on your feet, especially on a hard floor, if you gained weight quickly, or if you increased your running too fast. Flat feet, very high arches and getting older also raise the risk.
Treatment at Dr. Karf's clinic
Most cases don't need surgery. Treatment is chosen after an exam, and it usually starts with the mechanics of the foot.
Custom orthotics
Biomechanical insoles made for your foot support the arch and change how load is spread, which gives the inflammation a chance to settle. Without correcting this, the pain often comes back.
Shockwave therapy
This is used for chronic cases that have stopped improving. It aims to increase blood flow to the area and encourage the tissue to heal.
Cortisone injection
When pain is too strong to start stretching or wearing orthotics, an injection into the inflamed area can open a window to begin. It includes a local anesthetic and is often guided by ultrasound. Dr. Karf limits it to 3 injections a year and combines it with orthotics, since it doesn't change what caused the problem. Cortisone injections can weaken the plantar fascia and cause it to tear, and the limit doesn't remove that risk, so go over the risks and benefits with him before deciding.
What helps at home
Stretching and massage are a useful addition to treatment. You can roll the sole of your foot over a tennis ball or a frozen bottle, and ice on the heel at the end of the day may help relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can get you through the first days if they are safe for you. They ease the pain and leave the cause in place, so don't rely on them for months.
Keeping the pain from coming back
Going back to the same shoes and the same load is what usually brings it back. Stretch in the morning before you get out of bed, wear shoes with arch support, and don't walk barefoot on tile floors at home. If you run, build up your distance gradually.
Booking and payment
Call 03-5124026 or send a WhatsApp message, say you'd like the visit in English, and name the city that suits you. Mention how long the heel has hurt, and ask about the fee at the same time.
The practice is private, with no kupah (health fund) arrangement. Reimbursement from private insurance depends on your policy, so check with your insurer first, especially for orthotics or shockwave therapy.
Common questions
Is a heel spur the same as plantar fasciitis?
No. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the band of tissue under the foot. A heel spur is a bony growth on the heel bone and is often not the source of the pain.
Why does my heel hurt most in the morning?
The tissue tightens while you rest overnight. Your first step stretches it suddenly, which causes the sharp pain.
Do I need surgery for plantar fasciitis?
Most people with this problem don't. Treatment focuses on how the foot takes load, and on easing the inflammation.
Is a cortisone injection a cure?
No. It can ease the pain and inflammation, but it doesn't change what caused them, so the pain can return. Dr. Karf combines it with custom orthotics.
Further reading: NHS: Heel pain. Dr. Karf's full guide to heel spurs is in Hebrew.
Pages in English: podiatrist in Israel · Jerusalem clinic · ingrown toenails · plantar warts · diabetic foot · heel pain
Dr. Andy Karf, D.P.M, podiatric surgeon, graduate of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. More about Dr. Karf (in Hebrew)
Book a heel pain exam in English
Call 03-5124026 or send a WhatsApp message
