A common culprit for foot pain
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By Terry Alvey, DPM
Most Americans will experience some type of foot injury or problem in their lifetimes. It is not surprising, considering that people spend most of their lives on their feet or walking. A common complaint in my office involves pain in the heel or arch. This pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition often referred to as heel spur syndrome, or pain resulting from the
presence of a spur. This condition can make simple activities like vacuuming the house or cutting grass intensely painful.
The Source of the problem:
A wide band of tissue, or fascia, runs along the bottom of the foot, extending from the toes to the heel bone. If the fascia becomes inflamed due to unfamiliar activities, poorly fitting shoes, playing active sports, standing for long periods, or excess body weight, pain will occur.
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain in the bottom or edge of the heel that progresses slowly over a period of months, sharp pain when you get out of bed or when you stand up after sitting, and a dull ache in the heel after standing for a long time on a hard surface, or during running/walking. There is no single way to treat heel pain, and I usually suggest one or more forms of treatment in a progressive fashion.
Treatment Phases Simple of home treatment include:
- Changing footwear – This step includes buying a shoe with good cushioning and a supportive heel counter.
- Ice – Apply an ice pack to the area after activities.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications – Use them for one to two weeks.
- Stretching – Lie on your back with the leg straight at the knee. Stretch the toes toward you or place a towel around the ball of the foot and pull toward your nose. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat this exercise several times per day and before you get out of bed.
Doctor-prescribed treatments include prescription-strength medications, custom-made orthotics, cortisone injection into the tissue to reduce inflammation, and a night splint to keep the tissues stretched at rest or in bed. If these methods do not alleviate the pain, surgical treatments may be recommended. They include a plantar fasciotomy, in which the surgeon makes a small cut in the tissue, to relieve strain on the fascia. In addition, shock wave therapy or radiofrequency microtenotomy is used to stimulate a healing response.
If you find that a stubborn heel frustrates you, a call to your physician is a step in the right direction to being pain-free.
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