What Is Plantar Fasciitis And How To Treat It

Plantar fasciitis is a debilitating condition which involves injury and inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is a thick connective tissue found underneath the foot, which is very important in maintaining the foot's arch.

There a lot of causes of plantar fasciitis but the patients that mostly have this condition are athletes and the elderly. People engaged in sports that involve intensive use of the feet like runners, cyclers, basketball and football players, and the like can injure the plantar fascia due to excessive stress to the feet. The plantar fascia, as with any part of the body, is prone to wear and tear, so it is typical to find elderly patients with foot problems.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are heel pain on the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning or stepping out of a car. Pain gradually deceases after a few steps but pain could heighten up again during the day especially after long periods of standing or climbing the stairs.

A thorough physical exam and past medical history is necessary for a podiatrist to properly diagnose foot pain due to plantar fasciitis. There are different causes of foot pain that can show similar symptoms as that of plantar fasciitis. A correct diagnosis is the key to proper treatment.

There are several approaches in treating heel pain and the goal is to relieve the forces that are causing the plantar fascia to be stretched excessively. At home, there are easy ways to relieve foot pain. Resting the foot is an effective way to stop the pain. If the foot is allowed to rest long enough, this can encourage healing of the plantar fascia. Ice packs or cold compress provide quick relief of pain and swelling. If pain still persists after these basic treatments, then a podiatrist should be consulted.

  

Understanding the Development of A Heel Spur

What is a heel spur?

A heel spur is a bony formation located at the calcaneous bone or heel bone that is evident through x-ray. Also called calcaneal spur, this condition is commonly associated with plantar fasciitis when the spur is located at the inferior part or at the bottom of the calcaneous bone.

Though these conditions are related, they are two separate disease entities. Plantar fasciitis refers to the irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia, and this is sometimes accompanied by a spur. But not all patients with plantar fasciitis develop a heel spur and not all patients with heel spurs have plantar fasciitis.

Heel spurs are seen on patients who have chronic heel pain due to the inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is often seen on middle aged men and women or among active athletic individuals involved in sports like runners, basketball players and volleyball players.

Patient don't actually complain of heel spur pain but pain from plantar fasciitis. Most often, a heel spur can only be found or diagnosed through radiological findings where the pointy bony prominence is located at the attachment of the plantar fascia.

How do heel spurs form? About 70% of patients with plantar fasciitis will develop heel spurs. The plantar fascia, which is located at the bottom of the foot, is a strong fibrous tissue that attaches to the heel bone to the balls of the foot. It is responsible for the arch of the foot and plays a major role in the biomechanics of the foot. This fascia is also under enormous stress when running, walking or bearing weight.

However, this important structure is very prone to injury and degenerative changes. The natural wear and tear of this tendon can cause irritations and inflammation causing chronic heel pain. For some reason, the new bone growth is formed at the attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone probably because of the constant stressful pulling action.

Treating pain associated with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can be done conservatively. Most often, the R.I.C.E. method which stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate can effectively relive pain. Other treatments are foot inserts, pain medications and steroid injections.

A new treatment called ESWT uses multiple shock waves to naturally stimulate healing in the injured fascia. This is a holistic approach since it encourages the bodies own healing properties.

For more information about heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, please visit the Family Foot and Leg Center in Naples or Contact Dr. Kevin Lam at (239) 430-3668.

Shockwave Therapy: Will It Work For Me?

Shockwave therapy for the treatment of heel pain is a Non-invasive, PAINLESS procedure used to manage that nagging pain you feel that "you've tried everything for," and feel with every step you take!

That's right, no hospital, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, no PAIN!!

Shockwave therapy is performed by using a machine on which the heels are placed. It then expels high energy sound waves into your heel through the skin. These 'sound waves' move through the soft tissue structures and bone in your heel and break up some of the scar tissue that causes your discomfort. The special products in your body that heal tissue are attracted to the shockwaves, and a healing response occurs over time!

Heel pain is a common among patients treated at major health centers in the world! Many patients, young and old, are competitive and/or leisurely tennis and golf players. These individuals typically complain of pain in the heel(s) most intense with the first few steps taken during the competition that 'eases up' as the game goes on. At time the pain is felt in the arches, or even in the back of the heel.

Eventually, the pain becomes aggravating enough that it is felt with every step attempting to return a serve, or with every long drive down the fairway. When arch supports, custom orthotics, and cortisone injections fail, that is when shockwave therapy is introduced!

So¦.you're wondering what the recovery process is after shockwave therapy?

The procedure takes about half an hour per foot. Patients walk in, have the procedure, and walk out with a walking boot worn for an unspecified time period at your doctor's discretion, depending upon the origin of your heel pain (minimum of 24 hours, maximum of 2 weeks).

Patients report NO pain during the procedure and mild tenderness after the procedure for approximately 48-72 hours. You can walk, drive, go to the grocery store, sunbathe & swim, and go to dinner the evening of the procedure! Again, no hospitals, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, NO PAIN at all!!

How many treatments?

The number of treatments is dependent upon the type of shockwave therapy recommended for you, as well as your personal schedule and flexibility. To sum things up, there are two types of shockwave therapyHigh Energy and Low Energy. High energy shockwave therapy requires one treatment, and the sound waves are of a higher frequency level. Low energy is one treatment weekly for 5 weeks, and the sound waves are of a lower frequency level. Patients respond positively to both high and low energy shockwave therapy.

What are the disadvantages?

Unfortunately the majority of insurance companies do not cover the procedure despite shockwave's impressive beneficial results in the medical literature. Therefore, shockwave therapy is an out-of-pocket expense. The medical community is hopeful that shockwave therapy will be compensable by insurance companies in the near future.

Why should I choose shockwave therapy over a surgical procedure?

Because ESWT shockwave therapy has been found to be equally beneficial to an open surgical procedure, without the risks that open surgeries introduce (pronounced pain, swelling, infection, & the need for another surgery/revision).