Heel Pain Treatment - Podiatrist in Kansas City, MO and Overland Park, KS - Thomas Bembynista, DPM

Dr. Thomas Bembynista of KC Foot Care discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Heel Pain.

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Heel Pain-- Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Pain lies in the center of the heel into the arch. This issue is one of the most typical foot conditions. It causes pain simply getting up after sitting or in the a.m. With fasciitis it is extremely common for an x-ray to reveal no heel spur. Causes of Heel Pain

We use the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spur interchangeably for heel type pain. As we stroll or run the arch flattens to absorb the body's weight, causing stress on the fascia and pulling away of the heel bone, triggering a bone spur. Pain in the heel can be caused by the bone, fascia or heel nerve.

Poor fitting shoes can worsen the pain. You need to use well cushioned and encouraging shoes with excellent lateral assistance.

Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs

The pain can be centrally located in the heel or arch it can be worse in the morning and after sitting however enhances as the day goes on. The pain with primary steps in the morning and after rest is triggered by pulling of the fascia and plantar muscles off of the heel bone. If you have pain-- without weight bearing-- that is shooting in nature, it is triggered by the nerve on the side of the heel.

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs Heel spurs are triggered by inflammation at the insertion of the plantar fascia into the heel bone. The condition can be dealt with successfully using a conservative method in 98% of the cases. Diagnosis consists of a physical exam and possible an x-ray, specifically if there is a history of injury. Heel pain can be minimized by using trigger point injections of a moderate steroid from the side of the foot with a cold spray to numb the skin to considerably minimize the pain from the injection. Generally, treatment requires 1 to 3 workplace sees for evaluation and injections. If nerve pain exists that triggers shooting pain at rest, this can be treated with dehydrated alcohol injections to damage the agonizing area of the nerve.

As we start treatment it's important to support the arch with an OTC arch support, covering the arch with recyclable covers or coban. When treating long term, Custom Orthotics are frequently the very best choice. They are constructed from a flexible plastic material and can made to fit both fitness center and gown shoes.

If heel pain is intolerable or continues after conservative treatment, brand-new treatments are available-- PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections or Shockwave Therapy. Surgery today is uncommon but, if necessary after all treatments, it is normally effective.

It causes pain just getting up after sitting or in the a.m. With fasciitis it is really common for an x-ray to reveal no heel spur. Pain in the heel can be caused by the bone, fascia or heel nerve.

The pain with first steps in the morning and after rest is triggered by pulling of the fascia and plantar muscles off of the heel bone. Heel spurs are triggered by swelling at the insertion of the plantar fascia into the heel bone. Heel pain can be decreased by using trigger point injections of a moderate steroid from the side of the foot with a cold spray to numb the skin to significantly lower the pain from the injection.