HEEL PAIN
HEEL PAIN
A consultation with Dr. Bramlett at Mid-State Podiatry Group will help you establish the cause of your heel pain so it can be treated accurately and effectively. Diagnosing heel pain usually requires a physical examination, an evaluation of your medical history, and x-rays to establish a working diagnosis.
Treating Heel Pain
Dr. Bramlett regularly treats patients suffering from heel pain. He focuses on both conservative and surgical options in his treatment plan. A mainstay of treatment is appropriate shoe gear and custom orthotics.
Other treatments for heel pain include:
• Steroid injections
• Ambulatory cast boots
• Taking a break from activities causing your heel pain
• Implementing an exercise routine that includes stretching and strengthening the muscles in that area of the body
• Wearing the appropriate shoes for your foot type
After an assessment, Dr. Bramlett will recommend a course of treatment to effectively deal with your heel pain.
What Causes Heel Pain?
Your foot is the foundation for your entire body, and the heel is an important part of this structure. The heel is a shape-holding cushion of fatty tissue surrounding the heel bone that helps support bodily movement and the pressure of your body weight while protecting the structures of the rear foot including the bone, muscles, and tendons.
Heel pain is a very common complaint, and it may be due to the following:
• Plantar fasciitis
• Calcaneal stress fracture
• Foot structure abnormalities
• Poor or improper gait
• The wrong shoes for your foot type
• Walking or standing for long periods of time
• Heel Injuries
• Inflammation
• Certain chronic conditions, including diabetes and arthritis
More often than not, heel pain is attributed to plantar fasciitis, but there are many other reasons you may be experiencing this pain. This is why, if you are experiencing persistent foot pain that is gradually getting worse or not going away, it’s better to consult with a professional like Dr. Bramlett who has 20 years of experience in podiatry.
Plantar Fasciitis - When individuals begin to experience intense pain in their heel, many know that they have acquired plantar fasciitis. This ailment occurs when the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue. This will result in pain and inflammation of the area closest to the heel bone.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome - is a painful foot condition in which the tibial nerve is compressed as it travels through the tarsal tunnel. This tunnel is found along the inner leg behind the medial malleolus, otherwise known as the bump on the inside of the ankle.
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The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
-Burning
-Stabbing
-An aching pain in the heel of the foot
The fascia ligament tightens up overnight and therefore causes the most pain in the morning. Pain generally decreases as the tissue warms up, but oftentimes returns after long periods of standing or weight-bearing and physical activity. One of the prevalent factors that contribute to plantar fasciitis is wearing incorrect shoes. This includes shoes that either don’t fit properly, or provide inadequate support or cushioning. Weight distribution becomes impaired while wearing shoes that are unsupportive. Therein, adding significant stress to the plantar fascia ligament.
In most cases, treatment of plantar fasciitis doesn’t require surgery or invasive procedures to stop pain and reverse damage. Traditional treatments are usually all that is required. However, keep in mind that every person's body responds to the treatment differently and recovery times will vary.
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Symptoms of this ailment include:
-Pain and tingling in and around ankles
-Swelling of the feet
-Electric shock sensations
-Pain radiating up into the leg, and down into the arch, heel, and toes
-Hot and cold sensations in the feet
-A feeling as though the feet do not have enough padding
-A burning sensation on the bottom of the foot that radiates upward
Because it’s difficult to determine the exact cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, it’s important to determine the source of the problem. Certain items that could cause compression of the nerve include benign tumors or cysts, bone spurs, inflammation of the tendon sheath, nerve ganglions, or swelling from a broken or sprained ankle. Other culprits include varicose veins, as well.
TTS tends to be more common in athletes or individuals who tend to do a lot of standing as these people commonly put an excessive amount of stress on the tarsal tunnel area.