Do you have heel pain?
Those that have heel pain on the bottom of their heel commonly have a condition called plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a fibrous tissue that extends from the bottom of your heel to the bottom of your forefoot. This fascia can be inflamed from repetitive trauma such as running long distances, being on your feet all day, or from unsupportive shoes gear causing the foot to over-pronate or flatten out and stressing the plantar fascia. Sometimes you may even see bone spurs on the heel bone on an x-ray. The pain isn’t usually from the bone spur in most cases but from the micro tears caused by the stretching of the plantar fascia. If you wake up and the first step down on the ground hurts the worst, you most likely have plantar fasciitis.
Some treatment options for plantar fasciitis are stretching, icing with a cold water bottle, and night splints. Over the counter NSAIDS can also be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. Buying supportive shoe gear is a must. If those things aren’t helping you can receive a steroid injection, and custom molded foot orthosis to help give you the support you need. If these options don’t bring you relief you may elect to do surgery. Releasing a portion of the plantar fascia can be performed immediately followed by limited weight-bearing and return to normal shoe gear. Most people return to normal activity in 3 to 6 weeks after a plantar fasciitis procedure.
If you are suffering from heel pain, please schedule an appointment with our specialist.
