Heel Pain, Foot Pain

Heel Pain, when not caused by an injury is oftentimes caused by the Plantar Fascia (muscle). Referred to as Plantar Fasciitis. Heel pain may also be caused by a stress fracture, arthritis, tendonitis, nerve irritation and rarely, a cyst.

Since there are so many causes, it is important to have it diagnosed by a foot and ankle surgeon or doctor, so proper treatment can be prescribed.

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, especially when the pain is localized, on the heel or bottom of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a muscle band along the bottom of the foot that stretches from the heel of the foot to the toes.

Causes

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet. Obesity may also contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

Pain on the bottom of the heel

Pain in the arch of the foot

Pain that is usually worse upon arising

Pain that increases over a period of months

People with plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

Diagnosis

To arrive at a diagnosis, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this process the surgeon rules out all the possible causes for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis. In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays or other imaging modalities may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome. Non-Surgical

Treatment

Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies (Non-surgical), which you can begin at home:

Stretching exercises. Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery. Using a towel to lift the foot with both hands, while resisting and pushing the foot down is one of these. Another is using a frozen water bottle, and putting it on the floor while rolling it under the arch and heel.

Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia. The foot is able to PRONATE too much, which allows the arch to lower and the plantar fascia to be placed under excess strain.

Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation. Place a thin towel between the ice and your heel; do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.

Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia.

Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Naproxen or ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.

If you still have pain after several weeks, see your foot and ankle surgeon, who may add one or more of these treatment approaches:  Padding and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Strapping helps support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia.

Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis.

See our website page about treatments regarding our Shockwave therapy.

#footpain #heelpain #plantarfasciitis