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Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciosis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or, rarely, a cyst. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. Dr. Baarini is able to distinguish between all the possibilities and determine the underlying source of your heel pain.

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What is plantar fasciitis/fasciosis?

Plantar fasciosis is a chronic degeneration of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain.

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Causes

The most common cause of plantar fasciosis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet, are more prone to developing plantar fasciosis.Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciosis. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet. Obesity may also contribute to plantar fasciosis.

 

Symptoms

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are:

• Pain on the bottom of the heel

• Pain that is usually worse upon arising

• Pain that increases over a period of months

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People with plantar fasciosis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

 

Diagnosis

To arrive at a diagnosis, Dr. Baarini will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this process Omar rules out all the possible causes for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis.In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays or other imaging modalities may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome.

 

Non-surgical treatment

Initially see your local podiatrist, who may add one or more of these treatment approaches:

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• Padding and strapping. Placing pads in the shoe softens the impact of walking. Strapping helps support the foot and reduce strain on the fascia

• Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoe help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing the plantar fasciitis

• Injection therapy. In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and relieve pain

• Removable walking cast. A removable walking cast may be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal

• Night splint. Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some patients

• Physical therapy. Exercises and other physical therapy measures may be used to help provide relief

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When is surgery needed?

Although most patients with plantar fasciosis respond to non-surgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of non-surgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered. Dr. Baarini will discuss the surgical options with you and determine which approach would be most beneficial for you.