Heel Pain Treatment Birmingham
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, bringing people from all over the midlands to our specialist clinic each year. The plantar fascia is a shock-absorbing bowstring like thick ligament that connects your heel to toes. When you stand your arch collapses causing this bowstring to stretch out leading to the formation of micro tears in the ligament that can result in weakness, swelling, and irritation of the plantar fascia. Read more information below, watch the video OR make an appointment right now to have a ultrasound scan of your heel and arch and get an exact diagnosis and quick treatment!
Definition
With every step we take, the heels of our feet go through a lot of force. Heel pain can affect our daily lives in a big way. The pain could be so excruciating that it could stop people from walking. Heel pain can cause pain in other parts of the body like pain in the back.
There are lots of causes of heel pain but plantar fasciitis is the most common one. Other causes of heel pain are; arthritis, fractures, trauma, cysts, bursitis. If heel pain lasts for longer than 24 hours then seek advise from your General Practitioner or a Registered Podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment. It is best to treat heel pain in the early stages.
Plantar fasciitis being the most common cause of heel pain, usually affects women in their forties. Being on your feet or standing for long periods of time and being overweight are all factors that contribute to plantar fasciitis. Arthritis and tight muscles in the legs can also be affecting factors. People who have high arches or flat feet are at more risk from plantar fasciitis.
In the early stages, there is pain under the heel when standing after rest. It is more noticeable first thing in the morning when you get out of bed and stand up. Once you get going the pain will ease. As plantar fasciitis develops, the way you walk will be effected. In turn, problems with posture and mobility will develop. People who have suffered from plantar fasciitis over a period of time will often develop pain in other joints like hips and knees.
Treatment
Plantar fasciitis is a complex condition. There is no set treatment for it until the cause has been identified. When plantar fasciitis is first diagnosed then anti-inflammatory drugs and rest help to bring relief from pain. The biomechanics of the foot will have to be looked at to see how the foot lands on the floor. Thinning of the fatty padding of the heel may be causing the pain as well as being overweight, wearing the wrong type of shoes and tight muscles in the legs.
Orthotics may be used in your shoes to change the way the foot touches the ground, therefore reducing the stress on the plantar fascia. Exercise and steroid injections can be beneficial for relieving stress and inflammation on the plantar fascia.
As plantar fasciitis becomes chronic, immobilising the foot for some time in a cast may be required. In extreme cases where other options have not worked then surgery is needed. A small section of the plantar fascia is cut to decrease the tension when weight is put on it.
It is important heel pain is diagnosed properly so the most effective treatment can be given. Most people who suffer from heel pain recover fully especially if treatment is given at the early stages.