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Is heel pain keeping you down? In pursuit of healthy bodies, pain is often the enemy. Pain that occurs right after an injury or early in an illness may play a protective role, often warning us about the damage we have suffered. Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition in which a band of tissue in the sole of the foot becomes inflamed, leading to severe heel pain. The heel pain can be so bad that it hurts to walk, much less exercise or do daily activities. Understanding Heel Pain Plantar fasciitis, or heel pain, occurs when the plantar fascia is strained over time beyond its normal extension. This causes the soft tissue fibers of the fascia to tear or stretch at points along its length, leading to inflammation, pain and possibly the growth of a bone spur where it attaches to the heel bone. Inflammation may become irritated by shoes that lack appropriate support, mainly in the arch area and by the constant irritation associated with an athletic lifestyle. Resting may provide temporary relief, but when you resume walking you may experience a sudden elongation of the fascia band, which stretches and pulls on the heel. As you walk the pain may lessen or even disappear, but that may just be a false sense of relief as the pain often will return after prolonged rest or extensive walking. You can take steps now to avoid heel pain, including:
* Wear shoes that fit well
* Wear proper shoes for each activity
* Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles
* Prepare properly before exercising by stretching and warming up
* Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities
* Don't underestimate your body's need for rest and good nutrition
* Lose excess weight Are Heel Spurs the Culprit? Another common cause of heel pain is the heel spur, which is a bony growth on the underside of your heel bone. The spur is visible by x-ray and appears as a protrusion that can extend forward as much as half an inch. When there is no indication of a bone enlargement, the condition is sometimes referred to as heel spur syndrome. Heel spurs are the result of a strain on the muscles and ligaments of the foot. This is caused by the stretching of the long band of tissue that connects the heel and the ball of the foot. With repeated tearing away of the lining or membrane that covers the heel bone, your pain will persist. Treat Chronic Heel Pain with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is performed by your podiatrist on an outpatient basis Shockwave Therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show that there is a 70 percent success rate for treatment or plantar fasciitis using Shockwave Therapy. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is used to treat chronic heel pain and is a brief, non-invasive, procedure that lasts approximately 30 minutes. EWST is performed under local anesthesia, and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. The sound waves break up the tissue, creating small tunnels through which new blood vessels can grow, and the increased blood supply allows the tissue to heal. The result is a reduction in inflammation and pain from the affected ligament. If pain and other symptoms of inflammation persist, you should limit your normal daily activities and contact your San Juan podiatrist immediately.
Dr. Egidio Montanile, podiatras en Puerto Rico, is committed to providing patients in the San Juan area with the best in quality podiatric care. He spends most of his time listening to understand patients concerns and responding with the best treatment options available. Dr. Montanile, San Juan podiatras, offers services in diabetic foot care, ankle sprains, fractures, and an array of others.
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