Heel Pain - How to Identify and Treat Plantar Fasciitas
Posted: Thursday, July 09, 2009
by GARY WEBB
WEBB'S PODIATRY
What is the Plantar Fascia?
If you have pain in the centre of your heel and along the middle arch you may have Plantar Fasciitas. Your heel pain will normally be worse with your first steps, whilst getting out of bed, but eases throughout the day with walking.The plantar fascia is a long band which is under tension and supports the middle arch of the foot, helping to hold it up. If the band comes under extreme tension it can become very painful and inflamed.You may have had this condition for some time and it may be getting a little more uncomfortable each day, preventing normal weight bearing activities. This can be a very uncomfortable condition, which if left untreated can become very severe.
Heel spurs are considered a natural consequence of tearing of the plantar fascia's attachment onto the heel which causes bleeding and hardening. It is not normally a painful problem that requires any treatment other than Orthotics.
How to Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis
- X-Ray of the heel.
- Ultrasound to show thickening or swelling of the plantar fascia.
- Professional advice from a Podiatrist or other medical professional.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis heel pain
- Excessive rear foot turning inwards.
- High Arches.
- Flat Feet. - Reduced upwards motion of the ankle.
- Obesity or sudden increase in weight.
- High impact sports activities such as running on hard surfaces.
- Heel Spurs.
- Alteration in heel fat pad properties.
- Tight Achilles tendon. - This condition is normally more prevalent amongst the 40-60 year old patients.
- Poor shoes that are not properly cushioned.
Treatments to help with this painful heel problem
The treatments for Plantar Fasciitis are many and varied but can include any of the listed either in isolation or in combination. It is always better to seek the help of a specialist such as a Podiatrist for professional guidance.
- Night splint to gently stretch the ankle during sleep.
- Stretching exercises
- especially for the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia, stretch before exercising and first thing in the morning before rising.
- Corticosteroid injection may provide some relief for several weeks, but is not normally a cure.
- Heel cushions
- to help provide cushioning for the heels.
- Orthoses - to correctly realign the feet and whole of the body.
- Surgery may be suggested in more severe cases such as Plantar Fascia Release
- but only after all other treatments have failed and not for at least 12 months (should this be advised).
- Oxyflex cream to help with the pain.
- Pain killers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Helpful advice for Plantar Fasciitis
- Wear correctly fitting shoes that are well cushioned with an arch support. The shoes should be changed regularly.
- Avoid old and worn shoes which provide little or no cushioning.
- Avoid bear feet.
- Rest
- refrain from physical weight bearing activities that may worsen the problem.
- Wear lace up shoes.
Copyright (c) Gary Webb MChS June 2009
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Thanks for the information. Both my husband and I have had bouts with this condition. It is good to learn more about it.
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