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Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

As a Pedorthist I am called upon to address a multitude of
different foot problems. The most common of these is a
condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Essentially it is a
painful and debilitating condition arising from inflamed
tissue on the bottom surface of the foot and most patients
commonly label it "heel pain".

It is caused by trauma; not the kind usually associated with
the ER room at the hospital but rather the kind that comes
from repetitive stress coincident with weight bearing. In most
cases it is connected with lifestyle. It is common in
occupations that entail excessive standing or walking,
especially when the patient has been unaccustomed to such
activity. Weight gain, running and other stress placed upon
the foot can be initiating factors.

How do you know if you have such a condition? As with any
medical condition a physician should be consulted and should
provide a diagnosis. But a big "tip off" is pain under the
heel, felt most prominently when first getting out of bed
following prolonged overnight rest.

Treatment is directed toward alleviating the pressure of
weight bearing. A common misnomer is that cushion is the
answer; it is not. Rather, firm orthopedic support is
employed to minimize stress placed on the inflamed tissue
thereby allowing it to heal. It should be noted that this
support should be in place at all times a patient is weight
bearing and that this treatment mode may require 90-120 days
to bring about desired results.

In addition since lifestyle normally plays a part, removal of
the support invites reoccurrence. The support can come from
"orthotics" which are inserts placed in footwear or from
footwear with the support "built-in" such as is found in brands
like Birkenstock and Finn Comfort.

Other treatment modalities include injections of cortisone and
surgical stripping of the plantar fascia from its posterior
attachment. It is my opinion that the latter should be a
measure of last resort in all cases.

As with most medical problems early detection and treatment is
best. While occasionally it will remedy itself, the normal
course is for it to get progressively worse without intervention.

This Information was brought to you courtesy of Happy Feet Plus.
http://www.happyfeet.com