HEEL PAIN
One of the most common problems which brings people to consult a Podiatrist is heel pain. The pain is often worst when getting out of bed in the morning and usually eases after a few minutes. It then recurs after periods of rest or while standing towards the end of the day. If left untreated, it can become very debilitating.
Causes of Heel Pain
Most cases of heel pain are caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis, more commonly referred to as heel spurs. The plantar fascia is the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the ball of the foot. When this ligament is overloaded, inflammation results. When the foot is rested, the fascia tightens due to the inflammation. When weight bearing is resumed, the stretching of the plantar fascia produces pain at the site of insertion of the fascia into the heel. The repeated pulling of the fascia on the heel bone over time can lead to the formation of a heel spur. However, it is the inflammation that causes the pain, not the spur itself. Therefore, a person may have a spur on x-ray and not have pain, and conversely, a person may have pain but not have a spur.Other causes of heel pain include:
· Arthritic conditions
· Trauma
· Stress fractures
· Neuromas
· Bursitis Factors
Contributing to the Onset of Plantar Fasciitis
· Faulty biomechanics of the foot which results in excessive pulling on the plantar fascia.· A sudden increase in activity levels.
· Sudden or excessive weight gain.
· Tightness in the calf muscles and plantar fascia.
Treatment of Heel Pain
There are several modalities used to treat heel pain. These include:· Stretching of the plantar fascia and calf muscles.
· Application of ice to the affected area to reduce inflammation.
· Use of orthotic devices to correct faulty biomechanics and reduce the overloading of the plantar fascia.
· Wearing appropriate footwear.
If you are suffering from heel pain or have any other concerns about your feet, call 07 5580 5655 today to make an appointment with our Podiatrist, Catherine James.
