Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

The heel pain was a problem with every step I took, my walking was impaired and standing for any period of time was impossible. The innovative “Cryosurgery” procedure was the key to my progress. Dr. Wishnie was the other key because his level of efficiency and the office is second to none.”

~ Angela Carr

What Does Heel Pain Feel Like?
It feels like a dull ache most of the time, but when the patient first gets out of the bed in the morning, or when getting up after sitting for a period of time during the day, the pain in the heel is impressive. It almost feels like the heel has been bruised, from falling on a rock barefoot, but it is worse.

What Caused the Heel Pain?
There is a tight ligament (band of fibrous tissue) that stretches across the arch, from the ball of the foot to the heel bone, called the Plantar Fascia. When we walk, our feet have a tendency to roll inward, toward each other, in a motion that we call pronation. When feet pronate, they flatten, stretch out and the arch elongates. This causes excessive pulling on the Plantar Fascia ligament and attachment of the ligament to the heel bone begins to separate. An injury occurs where the ligament progressively tears off of the heel, fiber by fiber. Bleeding occurs next to the bone and inflammatory fluids accumulate between the ligament and the bone, forming a Bursitis, or fluid-filled sack.

Over time, the body lays down scar tissue, in an attempt to "glue" the detached ligament fibers back on to the bottom of the heel bone. Over the course of 3-5 years, the scar tissue calcifies, and this calcium deposit eventually becomes visible on X-Ray as the Heel Spur. This inflammation of this Plantar fascia ligament is called Plantar Fasciitis, and in addition to the Bursitis, is what causes the pain.

How Did This Happen?
There are several reasons that this chronic injury can occur. Recent weight gain and increased activity level often start an episode. A person who has been mostly sedentary, who walks a lot at Disney World for 3 days is a prime candidate. A change of shoes from well supporting walking or athletic shoes to floppy sandals can do it. When the arch of the foot collapses or flattens, the Plantar Fascia is stretched, causing the injury where it attaches to the heel bone. Finally, conditions which cause generalized increased inflammation, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause this.

Treating Heel Pain
There are many treatment options available for heel pain. In most cases conservative treatment is all that's needed and recommended. Treatment such as heel pain stretches, orthotics, physical therapy, proper shoes or painless laser therapy may be enough to treat your heel pain. If you have a severe case, surgical intervention may be required.

Preventing Heel Pain

Recurrence is rare after treatment, if the patient continues to employ good mechanical foot control by continuing to wear orthotics and good supportive walking or athletic shoes. Recovery is rapid and the success rate is better than 90%.

To Learn More Treatment Options Available Click Here

The Doctors of Family Foot & Ankle Specialists have written three books that they offer for FREE! 

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You Do Not Have To Suffer With Heel Pain

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