Pain Caused by Plantar Fasciitis

One of the common causes of heel pain is because of an injury to the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a tough fibrous tissue located below the foot. It is actually a ligament and it attaches behind the heel bone to the toes of the foot. It is responsible for the arch of the foot and plays a very important role in the foot's biomechanics.

The plantar fascia is constantly under stress when walking or running. When we carrying heavy loads, the plantar fascia pulls all the bones of the foot together, pulling it tight to provide a solid structure for bearing weight.

At times, the plantar fascia can get injured. Plantar fasciitis is a condition wherein the plantar fascia undergoes a painful inflammatory process. This is fairly common in individuals who are active in sports particularly running. It is also common in elderly individuals in which the plantar fascia weakens due to degenerative processes.

Pain caused by plantar fasciitis is easily treated with the RICE method (rest, ice, compress and elevation. Giving the foot a rest is the most basic form of treatment. This allows to the foot heal.

Cold stimuli reduces pain and inflammation. Compression helps reduce swelling and also immobilize the foot. Elevating the foot above the heart also diminish swelling by preventing the pooling of blood on the affected foot and also assist in venous return.

If pain persists after these basic steps, it is advisable to visit a podiatrist to advice and assist you to make a proper diagnosis and give appropriate treatment.

For chronic heel pain that does not respond to treatment, shockwave therapy or ESWT for heel pain can be recommended.

Treatment Options for Achilles Tendonitis

Heel pain can be due to a lot of foot conditions. One of the most common cause of foot pain is Achilles tendonitis. This condition is due to inflammation of the Achilles tendon which is found behind the ankle.

Achilles tendonitis is more frequent among the middle-aged group, particularly those active in sports activities. Just like other tissues in our body, the tendons become weaker and less flexible as we age.

There are several approaches in treating Achilles tendonitis. It is best to treat the injury as soon as possible to prevent more severe outcomes.

Resting the foot is the primary management to control heel pain and inflammation. This will reduce the swelling and promote healing.

Applying ice packs to the Achilles tendon area relieves acute heel pain. Do not apply ice directly to the skin but instead wrap the it with a clean towel. Additionally, ice packs should not be applied on the skin longer than 30 minutes as it can also stop blood flow if left for too long.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help control inflammation and reduce foot pain. However, NSAIDS can cause stomach upsets so it is best to take the medication with a full glass of water.

Physical therapy and stretching exercises are very helpful if done under the supervision and instruction of a podiatrist or qualified physical therapist. Immobilization of the ankle is helpful in more severe injuries to quickly relieve inflammation. Leg casts or special orthotics can help in healing the tendon more rapidly.

Corticosteroid injections are rarely given as they have not been shown to significantly improve the condition and can have possible complications.

Surgical intervention is only considered if nonsurgical approaches have not provided relief. The procedure can involve tendon lengthening, debridement of the tendon, or moving the tendon attachment.

ESWT or Extracorporeal ShockWave Therapy is a modern approach to managing heel pain. This is an in office procedure that is a safe way to treat more complex heel pain conditions. Instant results are seen with cost-effective and painless management of chronic heel pain.

Signs and Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

Image via WikipediaAchilles tendonitis causes heel pain that progressively develops over time. The Achilles tendon is found at the back of the feet, it is the largest tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. Although it is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body, it is susceptible to injury since it receives a lot of load stress of about four to seven times the body weight during walking and running.

Injury to the Achilles tendon is often caused by abrupt forceful stress on the calf muscle. Middle-aged adults who are active in intense running, jumping, and athletic activities often acquire this injury. Wearing shoes with poor arch supports can also contribute to heel pain.

Heel pain in Achilles tendonitis is usually felt as mild pain at the back of the leg and above the heel after activities involving running, jumping, or other sports activities. The pain usually occurs gradually or may arise when walking or running.

There can be periods of intense pain especially after prolonged running, sprinting, or stair climbing. Stepping up the level of physical activity too rapidly can contribute to heel pain.

Heel pain, stiffness, and tenderness that is felt in the morning which generally improves with mild activity is another symptom of Achilles tendonitis. Similarly, the pain felt at the onset of exercise usually fades as the workout progresses.

There can be mild swelling over the Achilles tendon and sometimes, it can be felt as a bump at the back of the heel. The area is often tender and it can also exhibit redness and irritation.

Moving or touching the Achilles tendon can elicit a creaking or crackling sensation. If the injury is severe, it can be difficult to point the toes or flexing the foot.

Easy Management Of Minor Sports Injuries

Image via WikipediaJoining sports activities is a lot of fun. Also, getting involved in these activities is good for your health. But in any sport, accidents could happen and can cause all kinds of injuries like sprains on the foot that can cause mild to severe heel pain or foot pain.

Though this is a common occurrence in any type of activity, this could be easily managed. A lot of trainers who almost always encounter this medical condition recommend rest, ice, compression and elevation method or more commonly known as the R.I.C.E. method.

Rest is first. Giving the affected foot some rest will promote healing. Allowing the foot to rest for two days is enough time for it to recover from minor injuries. Of course, the length of time differs from the severity of injury but a couple days are enough for most injuries.

Remember not to use any pain killers during this period. Healing is only successful if the foot is not used for a given time. Also, the occurrence of pain is the basis for how long you should rest the foot. Pain killers temporarily remove the pain and tempt you to use your foot.

Ice packs signigicantly reduce inflammation and pain. Exposing the affected area with cold stimuli can numb the area, reducing pain drastically. It also can cause vasoconstriction; therefore, reducing accumulation of fluids that can cause swelling.

Compression is also a good way to immobilize the foot and also helps control swelling.

Elevating the foot also helps prevent swelling because it assists in venous return to the heart, preventing any fluid accumulation to the foot.

The RICE is the initial management in reducing pain and swelling. For persistent heel pain, consult your podiatrist.