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It's no surprise that our feet often hurt considering that an average day of walking exerts a force on the feet that's equal to several hundred tons. All that rushing around makes our feet more prone to injury than any other part of the body. Your feet mirror your general health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet - so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

Studies show that 3 out of 4 Americans experience serious foot problems in their lifetime. Despite the millions of aching feet out there, many of us don't seek the medical attention we need for relief. Foot pain is never normal, and you shouldn't be resigned to teetering around on sore feet.

The conditions listed below and to the left are some of the most common foot ailments. No matter what causes your feet to ache, we can help.

The "foot conditions" section of this Web site is maintained to provide general information about foot health. The materials, information, and answers provided by and through this Web site are not intended to replace or to be a substitute for medical advice provided by a qualified physician or other appropriate health care professional based on individual patient evaluation. You should consult with our practice or other appropriate health care professional on specific medical questions, including matters requiring diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention. click here for New Patient Form





Heel Pain

Heel Pain

Definition

Heel pain is a common condition in which weight bearing on the heel causes extreme discomfort.

Cause

There are two different categories of heel pain.  The first is caused by an over-use repetitive stress.  Over-use repetitive stress refers to a soreness resulting from too much impact on a specific area of the foot.  This condition, often referred to as “heel pain syndrome”, can be caused from shoes with heels that are too low, a thinned out fat pad in the heel area, or from a sudden increase in activity.

Plantar fasciitis, a very common diagnosis of heel pain, is usually caused from a biomechancial problem, such as over-pronation (flat feet).  The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel through the midfoot and into the forefoot.  Over-pronation can cause the plantar fascia to be excessively stretched and inflamed, resulting in pain in the heel and arch areas of the foot.  Often the pain will be most intense first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of rest.  The pain will gradually subside as the day progresses.

Treatment & Prevention

To properly treat heel pain, you must absorb shock, provide cushioning and elevate the heel to transfer pressure.  This can be accomplished with a heel cup, visco heel cradle, or an orthotic designed with materials that will absorb shock and shear forces.

When the condition is pronation related (usually plantar fasciitis), an orthotic with medial posting and good arch support will control the pronation, and prevent the inflammation of the plantar fascia.

Footwear selection is also an important criteria when treating heel pain.  Shoes with a firm heel counter, good arch support, and appropriate heel height will be the ideal choice.

If the problem persists, please call us to schedule an appointment.



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