Is heel pain becoming a common occurrence for you?
Heel pain is one of the most common foot problems that our Pismo Beach, CA, podiatrists Dr. Steve Clark, Dr. Brian O’Carroll and Dr. Byron Collier treat. Most of the time, a patient’s heel pain is due to plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury that leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia, which runs the length of the foot.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is usually the most common cause of acute forms of heel pain. This condition occurs when the thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes, known as the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed or irritated. The fat that covers your heel provides the plantar fascia with protection and shock absorption when moving or standing.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
As we age, the pad of the heel becomes thinner and provides much less shock absorption, which can increase someone’s chances of developing this inflammatory foot problem. Putting too much pressure on the plantar fascia can also risk damage or inflammation to the tissue.
Other issues that may increase your likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis include,
- Suddenly increasing the intensity or duration of a workout
- Standing on your feet most of the day
- Having diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Having flat feet or high arches
- Being a runner or athlete
- You stand for extended periods
- You have tight calf muscles
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
The good news is that if you do develop plantar fasciitis it can be pretty easy to treat. Most of the time our Pismo Beach, CA, podiatrists will recommend simple at-home measures that you can take to promote faster healing including taking over-the-counter pain medications, icing the heel, performing special exercises, avoiding physical activities that could exacerbate your symptoms, and even bracing or splinting the foot (particularly while sleeping).
If these measures don’t work then steroid injections, ultrasound therapy and other more aggressive measures may be necessary. Rarely is surgery needed for treating this condition but may be recommended if other nonsurgical treatment options have not helped.
If you suspect that you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis and home care isn’t helping, our Pismo Beach, CA, podiatrists are here to make sure your feet get the care they need. Call Five Cities Foot and Ankle today at (805) 481-9100 to schedule an evaluation.