The most common cause of heel pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis, often called (wrongly) “heel spur.” Heel spur implies excessive growth (spur) of the heel bone. Although around seventy percent of cases of plantar fasciitis show heel spurs (in X-ray examinations), they are definitely not the cause of the heel pain.
What Plantar Fasciitis Is
In plantar fasciitis, the ligament (plantar fascia) which attaches at the heel bone and radiates out below the foot to attach again at the toes is inflamed. This ligament acts as a natural shock absorber for the foot. So when a person lands on the foot, the plantar fascia stretches, thereby lengthening the foot and distributing the weight on a larger area. When the foot is lifted, the plantar fascia comes back to its natural resting stage.
The ligament, it should be understood, is capable of only limited amount of flexing. If there is a tear in this ligament due to over-stretching, it can cause this condition. People with plantar fasciitis experience severe pain in the heel when they take the first few steps in the morning or after long periods of rest. This pain subsides after some walking.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Causes of plantar fasciitis can be diverse, from obesity to an increase in physical activity like walking, running, using non-supportive footwear (like high heels) or a faulty foot structure. The condition can be diagnosed with the help of the patient’s medical history and through a physical examination. Additional information can be obtained with the help of an X-ray examination and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Treatment for Inflamed Plantar Fascia (Sore Feet)
The treatment of this condition includes applying an ice pack to the troubled heel. The ice pack is massaged over the heel for 10 to 15 minutes at night before retiring. This usually lessens the degree of pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain. A support pad which provides support to the median arch of the foot is usually inserted in the footwear. Stretching exercises involving the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon are also helpful.
In people who do not experience any significant decrease in their condition, a surgical procedure is sometimes recommended. In this procedure, called endoscopic fasciotomy, a small part of the fascia (the ligament) is removed by excision. The cut heals itself when connective tissue grows in it. This procedure, which requires less than half an hour, is simple and the patient can go home as soon the procedure is done. After a couple of days of rest the patient can start normal activities.
Plantar fasciitis can be managed easily provided it is diagnosed early. Many people with the condition tend to ignore the pain and regard it as a temporary condition due to some physical trauma. If the condition is diagnosed early and properly, it can save many painful days.
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