GALION — Heel pain affects more than 2 million Americans annually. Heel pain can range from mild discomfort to extremely debilitating pain.
What is it?
The most common causes of heel pain include:
- Plantar Fascitis is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament, a fibrous band of tissue on the sole of the foot that helps supports the arch. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia is overloaded or overstretched which causes small tears in the fibers of the fascia usually where the fascia meets the heel bone but may also occur in the middle portion of the arch. This can occur in anyone but is particularly common in runners, people that participate in aerobics or stair climbing. It is also common in diabetics, pregnant women, or people that have had weight gain. In athletes, plantar fasciitis may follow a period of intense training.
- Heel spur is an abnormal growth of bone at the bottom of the heel bone. It is caused by long term strain on the plantar fascia ligament. Heel spurs can be seen on an X-ray and develop as a reaction to plantar fasciitis.
- Bursitis means an inflammation of a bursa, a sac that lines many joints and allows tendons to move easily when the joint is moving. Bursitis usually occurs at the underside or back of the heel. Another type of bursitis is an abnormal boney growth at the back of the heel known as a “pump bump” which commonly occurs in young women wearing tight fitting high heel shoes.
- Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon which is usually caused by overuse such as excessive jumping during sports but can also be related to poor fitting shoes where the when the upper back portion of the shoe presses upon the Achilles at the back of the heel.
- Nerve entrapment caused by compression of a nerve (a branch of the lateral plantar nerve) can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the heel area.
- Calcaneal Apophysitis is inflammation of the growth plate of the back of the heel bone occurring in active children ages 8-16. Although any adolescent can be affected, children who participate in sports are more prone to developing this condition.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, other systemic arthritis conditions can also be a source of heel pain. Tests can be performed to diagnose these conditions as a cause of heel pain.
Most people respond well to conservative treatments by a trained foot specialist. One study suggests that 84 percent of people with plantar fascitis respond to conservative therapy.
Dr. Jeffrey Lynn at Gentle Foot Care treats all causes of heel pain in addition to any other foot or ankle condition. We welcome all new patients and we accept most insurance plans.
Author Dr. Jeffrey Lynn, DPM is a foot and ankle specialist currently welcoming new patients on Wednesdays in the Galion office. Call for a Wednesday appointment with Dr. Lynn at 419-468-3668.
Gentle Foot Care
396 Portland Way N.
Galion, Ohio 44833
This article is paid content provided by Dr. Jeffrey Lynn at Gentle Foot Care in Galion.
