Are you experiencing heel pain? The most common cause of heel pain in adults is caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis, which is characterised by heel pain in the morning or upon rising after long periods of sitting. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, is inflamed.
Causes
Plantar Fasciitis can occur due to various contributing factors:
- Sports: Activities such as running and dancing place significant stress on the heel bone and plantar fascia tissue, causing irritation and inflammation
- Exercising without warming up and stretching: Skipping warmups or stretches before exercising increases the tension in your plantar fascia and the risk of injuring it
- Wearing poorly supported shoes: Poorly supported shoes do not have adequate cushioning for your feet, in turn transferring the pressure to the plantar fascia and causing strains
- Flat or Arched Feet: Conditions like flat or arched feet can cause weight to be distributed unevenly and unwanted pressure on the plantar fascia
- Obesity: Extra weight increases the pressure on your foot and heel, which can lead to inflammation
Symptoms
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can range from a dull ache to constant, extreme pain. It is important to identify the symptoms early to prevent the condition from worsening.
- Constant Ache: A deep, dull ache along the bottom of your feet
- Sharp pain: Sharp, stabbing pain when putting pressure on your heel
- Swelling: Swelling around the heel due to inflammation
- Pain worsened in the morning: Heel pain tends to be worse in the morning upon waking up
Treatment
Treatment can vary based on each individual, but it may include:
- Wearing supportive shoes: Supportive shoes provide cushioning to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia
- Orthotics: Custom orthotics designed to suit your biomechanics provide tailored care and are extremely useful for treating pain caused by medical conditions
- Pain-relief medication: Pain-relief medication can help reduce inflammation and support fast recovery
- Icing your foot: Icing your foot can reduce swelling and provide temporary pain relief
- Steroid injection: Steroid injections can provide up to a few months of relief, but does not cure plantar fasciitis
- Surgery: Severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone and relieve tension
Consult a Professional
Dealing with heel pain and not sure what to do? At Grace Podiatry, we provide a wide range of podiatry services, including sports podiatry, footwear and mobility advice, and custom-made orthotics. With over 25 years of experience, our team will give you expert foot care advice alongside a tailored treatment program suited to your needs. We offer convenient mobile podiatry services all over the Perth Metropolitan area, so you can receive first-class treatment without the difficulty associated with going to a clinic. Contact us to sort out your foot health today!
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