Spur Pain
Mr. Arch Custom Orthotics
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain is common. Athletes, teachers and waitresses could have an inflamed or torn fascia, the ligament that stretches from your heel to your toes. Anyone who repeatedly walks on a hard surface or pushes off with their foot to run a race is at risk of plantar fasciitis. It can be a dull pain, or a stabbing one. Fortunately, there are at-home remedies that can ease the symptoms. Find out how to prevent and treat plantar fasciitis.
What is Spur Pain
An inflamed plantar fascia — the rubber band-like ligament that stretches from your heel to your toes — is very painful. Imagine walking around with a strong ache in your heel, a tender bruise on the bottom of your foot, or a stabbing pain that hits you the moment your feet hit the ground in the morning. Now, if you already have it, imagine your pain beginning to go away or disappearing altogether — this too can happen.
Are plantar fasciitis and heels spurs the same thing?
No. Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are not the same thing, and heel spurs do not cause plantar fasciitis. A heel spur is an extra piece of bone that sticks out from the heel while plantar fasciitis is pain from an inflamed or microscopically torn plantar fascia. Removing a heel spur will not cure plantar fasciitis.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
Over 90% of those who have plantar fasciitis will improve within 10 months with the following at-home remedies. They include:
- Stretching your calf muscles.
- Wearing supportive, sturdy, well-cushioned shoes. Don’t wear sandals or flip flops that do not have a built in arch support. Don’t walk with bare feet.
- Using appropriate shoe inserts, arch supports or custom-made foot orthotics.
- Using a night splint to reduce tightness in the calf muscle.
- Massaging the area.
- Putting ice on the area three to four times per day for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Limiting physical activity including prolonged standing.
- Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve®).
- Losing weight.
- Using crutches.
Outpatient treatments include:
- RCortisone (steroid) injections.
- RPhysical therapy for stretching and exercises.
- RExtracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Shockwaves stimulate the healing process. This procedure is not commonly used.
- RSeeing a podiatrist (foot specialist) for recommendations regarding insoles and shoes.
- Gastronemius recession: This surgery lengthens the calf muscles. Tight calf muscles put additional stress on the plantar fascia.
- Plantar fascia release: The plantar fascia is cut, partially, to relieve some of the tension.
