PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR
Do you have heel pain? Is your pain worse in the mornings or after periods of rest? Does the pain stopping you from doing the activities you love and from enjoying your life? If so you may have PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR
With people spending time on their feet, the area never gets time to heal. Heel pain is extremely common. There is good news, the condition is easily treated via footwear, stretches and exercises, and custom orthotics.
What is it?
It is a painful condition affecting the heel of the foot (plantar fascia).
It is caused by continual, repetitive stress which leads to trauma of Fascia. The plantar fascia is a long band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. It extends from the heel to the bases of the toes.
Repetitive injury results in degeneration, inflammation, and the formation of a heel spur. Therefore It is important to treat this condition in the early stages as late stages can lead to permanent damage.
A lot of people think that its the Heel Spurs that cause pain. Doctors send patients off for an x-ray to diagnose the spur as the cause of pain. This is in-fact is not true. A huge percentage of people walking around have heel spurs and manage to live pain-free.
Risk Factors for PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR:
- Flat feet or high arched feet
- Jobs which involve long-standing or walking
- A sudden change of lifestyle or exercise involving increases in standing or walking
- Tight calf muscles or fascia
- Excessive weight gain
- Inappropriate footwear eg. Thongs
- Hard surfaces/bare feet walking
Signs and symptoms:
• Heel or arch pain
• Pain worse in the mornings/after rest, at the start of exercise and after activity
Prevention:
- Prescription orthotics
- Correct footwear
- Calf and fascia stretches
- Gradual increases in training or activity
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED PODIATRISTS AT ACE