Many active individuals experience pain at the bottom of the heel at some point in their lives. In most cases, this pain is caused by plantar fasciitis due to micro tearing of the plantar fascia. The latter is a thick band of fibrous tissue covering the bottom of the foot.
This micro tearing is the result of stress on the plantar fascia over an extended period. The resulting injury is therefore an overuse one.
In this article, we will first briefly discuss the causes of plantar fasciitis. We will then move on to describe the nature of its pain in greater detail. We will then describe the typical manner in which the cause of the pain is diagnosed. Finally, the main methods of treating and preventing this pain will be described.
Plantar fasciitis, as we have already mentioned, results in pain at the bottom of the heel. In this section, we will describe the general characteristics of this pain. This information will help its victims to suspect when plantar fasciitis may be present.
People with plantar fasciitis describe the pain as either dull and continuous or, alternatively, as a “stabbing” type of pain. It also usually is particularly severe just after awakening in the morning and when taking the first steps of the day.
The pain may also tend to flare up after an exercise session, although not usually during the session. You may also experience “flare ups” when recommencing activity after taking a daytime rest that involves sitting or lying down.
Although the pain of plantar fasciitis usually starts at the bottom of the heel, it can spread after a while to other areas. For example, if you have had the condition for a while, you may also start to feel back pain. The reasons for this are not clear. However, it may be a result of changes to your gait in a subconscious effort to minimize the bottom of heel pain.
Long term plantar fasciitis sufferers may also start to feel ankle pain. If this happens, it may be due to the irritation of nerves in the foot as a result of the injury to the plantar fascia.
In addition to pain at the bottom of your heel and other areas, you may experience:
Although much less common, the following are also potential causes for bottom of heel pain:
If you suspect, based on the information above, that you are a victim of plantar fasciitis, we suggest seeking medical advice. This should include a proper diagnosis as well as treatment recommendations.
Your doctor will likely diagnose the cause of your bottom of heel pain by reviewing your medical history and then examining your foot. She may press on the plantar fascia along the bottom of your foot and also ask you to try standing on the balls of your feet.
Some doctors may also ask about the times at which the pain is worst and when it eases.
To eliminate the possibility that your foot pain may be due to the other causes listed above, your doctor may request an imaging scan. X-rays, Bone scans and MRI or ultrasound procedures can all help to eliminate or identify other potential causes of heel pain.
If your pain is due to plantar fasciitis, there are 3 broad classes of treatment that your doctor may recommend. These are home based treatments (which tend to be the least invasive), outpatient treatments and surgery.
These will include:
These may be the next choice if home based treatments do not work. Some examples are:
These may include:
Some of the suggestions we can make to avoid bottom of heel pain are:
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The Darco Body Armor Night Splint is the only night splint that actively engages the windlass mechanism of the foot, resulting in a specific and sustained stretch to the plantar fascia, and a sustained low load stretch to the flexor tendons, Achilles tendon and calf muscles. The traction strap allows for minimal ambulation.
Kego Walking Crutches (Pair) are durable lightweight crutches manufactured from aluminium. They will provide you with stability if you are unable to walk on your own. The crutches are equipped with a comfortable and durable underarm pad and hand grip. These walking crutches are sold in pairs. They are available in four crutch sizes –…
