Heel pain plantarfasciitis

Do you not want to get out of bed in the morning because your feet hurt when you do?

Approximately 15% of all adult foot problems are caused by heel pain. Heel pain is most commonly cause by abnormal foot mechanics. However, arthritis, trauma, nerve entrapment, overuse of the foot, and overweight to name a few, are also contributing factors of heel pain.

Heel pain can affect high arched and flat foot types, with woman being slightly more susceptible to heel pain than men. If you’re overweight, your job requires you to be on your feet a lot, you’re athlete, exerciser or walker, you’ll be more prone to heel pain than general population. The most common site of the pain is the inside edge of the sole of the foot, underneath the heel. Sufferers frequently state that the first few steps out of bed in the morning are very painful, with the pain lessening with subsequent activity. Heel pain usually returns when activity is resumed after periods of sitting or resting during the day.

X-rays of the foot may reveal a heel spur (bony overgrowth attached to the heel bone). However, the level of heel pain can be very intense whether a heel spur shows upon x-ray or not. A podiatrist will devise a treatment plan for heel spur syndrome divided into short-term and long-term goals. The short-term goal being the relief of the inflammatory symptoms of the heel spur syndrome, usually achieved by combining injection therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID), physicaltherapy and foot strapping. The long-term goal is to gain functional control of the foot. To do this, the podiatrist will fit the heel pain sufferer with customized shoe insert (orthotic device). This conservative course of treatment has been found to be successful in over 90% of heel spur syndrome cases and alleviates the need for surgical intervention.

So, if your first steps out of bed in the morning cause you to wince, or your heel hurts as the day goes on you had better see a podiatrist.   

Dr Tapeman

The Achilles is the tendons extension of two muscles in the lower leg: gastrocnemius and soleus. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. The most common Achilles tendon injuries are Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture. Achilles tendon injuries are common in people who participate in sports such as running, gymnastics, dance, football, baseball, softball, basketball, tennis and volleyball. Achilles tendonitis, in my office, is generally treated with rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone dose packs with strapping immobilization. If this fails, below knee walking cast can be utilized for immobilization. Orthotics can be utilized as a long term solution. Achilles tendon rupture is a partial or complete tear of the tendon that requires either immobilization in a cast or surgery. Decision for surgery is determined by patient’s age, health and lifestyle along with whether there is a partial or complete tear. The best way to prevent an Achilles tendon injury is to stay in overall good shape by warming up, stretching and strengthening the Achilles tendons.