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Walking and running abnormalities can cause inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, and plantar fascia that surround the hind foot. This is normally the cause of most heel pain in adults today. Complaints of heel pain most commonly occur in adults over the age of 40 and extremely active adolescents 8 to 13 years old. There are many treatments available for heel pain today ranging from rest and ice compresses to Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to surgery in some extreme cases. Heel pain can also be caused by painful neuromas which can often be relieved with nerve decompression. Whatever the cause of your heel pain is, there is an appropriate treatment for relief from pain. What is Plantar Fasciitis? Commonly referred to as heel and arch pain, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue, called the plantar fascia, which stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Over-pronation is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens your foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this repetition causes inflammation of your heel and arch. Flat feet, high arches, poor fitting footwear, weight gain and running can also contribute to plantar fasciitis, and this condition is especially common among athletes who run and jump frequently. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include a shooting pain in the heel, with pain being worse in the morning or after long periods of resting. Pain generally decreases during the course of the day as the foot becomes more limber, but returns once activities are completed. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) With a breakthrough in technology, heel pain can now be treated with EWST, also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. The brief, non-invasive, procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis and, although there are no bandages, someone will need to drive you home. Those who are not candidates for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy include pregnant women and patients who have:
* neurological foot disease
* vascular foot disease
* pacemakers
* people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting Nerve Decompression for Neuromas A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs between the third and fourth toes and is also known as intermetatarsal neuroma. An intermetatarsal neuroma may occur between any toes of the foot. The thickening of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. The compression creates an enlargement of the nerve, which may lead to permanent nerve damage. Nerve decompression has been proven to be highly effective in treating neuromas and neuropathy symptoms. This surgery involves making a small incision in the area where the peripheral nerves are compressed, providing greater clearance for the nerves to pass through. This decompression often helps to alleviate the pain, tingling and other symptoms when performed in time and for patients in which the procedure is appropriate. Contact your podiatrist in Houston if you are experiencing pain in your heel or foot that is not relieved with home remedies. Your podiatrist will be able to diagnose your pain and administer proper treatment that is needed to bring relief to your feet.
Leading Houston podiatrist, Dr. Gabriel Maislos, is board certified in addition to maintaining several foot and ankle related certifications in an effort to stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in technology. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Gabriel Maislos brings quality podiatric care to a new level, providing care for heel pain, laser toenail fungus, hammertoes and Houston laser toenail fungus.
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