Heel Pain
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciosis/Fasciitis)
Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or, rarely, a cyst.Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. Ozan Amir is able to distinguish between all the possibilities and determine the underlying source of your heel pain.
What Is Plantar Fasciosis?
Plantar fasciitis is a chronic degeneration of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain.
Causes
The most common cause of plantar
Symptoms
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:
- Pain in the bottom of the heel
- Pain that is usually worse upon arising
- Pain that increases over a period of months
People with plantar
Diagnosis
To arrive at a diagnosis, Ozan Amir will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this
Non-Surgical Treatment
Initially see your local podiatrist, who may add one or more of these treatment approaches:
- Padding and strapping. Placing
pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Strapping helps support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia - Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis
- Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain
- Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal
- Night
splint . Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients - Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief
When Is Surgery Needed?
Although most patients with plantar