Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Are you experiencing sharp or stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel? Is that pain particularly bad during your first steps out of bed, after a rest, or after a long period of standing on hard flooring?
If so, you may be suffering from heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. About ten percent of people will develop plantar fasciitis at one point in their lives.
Heel Pain Caused by Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and runs across the bottom of the foot.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can include:
Stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel
Pain in the arch of the foot
Tenderness and swelling in the heel
Pain that worsens after exercise (not during)
Plantar fasciitis is thought to be caused by repeated microtears or trauma to the heel's plantar fascia. It’s a condition typically seen in our Eagle County runners and jumpers.
Heel Spurs: A Symptom of Plantar Fasciitis
Heel spurs are caused when calcium deposits create a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone. This abnormal heel protrusion can cause pain while walking and standing. However, heel spurs are typically a consequence of plantar fasciitis and not the actual cause of pain.
Symptoms of heel spurs include:
Intermittent or consistent pain in the heel while walking or running
Redness and swelling in the heel
A sharp pain (like a knife or pin jab) at the bottom of the foot when standing up
A dull ache in the bottom of the foot
If diagnosed early enough, heel spurs can be treated with over-the-counter medications, shoe inserts, and physical therapy. However, if the pain caused by your heel spur becomes ongoing and severe, Dr. Elton and his team may recommend surgery to remove the spur.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Ignoring symptoms of plantar fasciitis can result in chronic heel pain that impacts your quality of life. After diagnosing your foot pain, Dr. Elton and his Vail Valley team will prescribe treatment that could include:
Physical therapy
Anti-inflammatory medications
Custom shoe inserts
A dedicated stretching program
Night splints
Ninety percent of patients improve with these less invasive therapies. However, when the less invasive methods fail, Dr. Elton considers more aggressive treatments like:
Injections: Steroid injections are a short term solution for pain. A regenerative medicine known as platelet-rich plasma can be injected to promote long-term healing.
Shock wave therapy: This experimental therapy involves directing sounds waves at the plantar fascia to stimulate healing. This treatment is still being studied, but results have been promising.
Tissue repair: The Tenex procedure is a non-surgical procedure performed by Dr. Elton that removes scar tissue and increases a healing blood supply in the plantar fascia.
In very rare instances, the plantar fascia will be surgically detached from the heel bone. This is only performed when the heel pain becomes chronic and severe and all other treatments are exhausted.
Treatment for Heel Pain in Eagle County
If you’re suffering from heel pain in the Vail Valley area, look no further than Dr. Elton. As Vail’s premier foot specialist, Dr. Elton and his team will work with you to diagnose and treat your condition.
Make your appointment today and get back on top of your game. Team Elton will help you take your next step pain-free!