Heel pain is one of the most common conditions podiatrists treat. Most patients with heel pain find that it is most painful with the first few steps in the morning and after prolonged sitting. The condition can occur in anyone, but is most common in athletic or overweight people. Feet that flatten excessively are also more likely to develop it.
A strong ligament called the plantar fascia (Figure 1) extends from the heel bone to the toes. When the foot flattens, the plantar fascia becomes taut. It stretches, and begins to pull away from the heel. This causes pain. Over time, the pulling stimulates the heel bone to produce a heel spur (Figure 2). The heel spur itself is usually not the cause of the pain.
Treatment
Most of our patients gain relief from conservative treatments which include :
1. Icing and stretching exercises performed daily.
2. Taping the foot in a manner that relaxes the plantar fascia by controlling pronation (flattening).
3. Orthotics (custom supports) to relax the plantar fascia by controlling pronation.
4. Modification of exercise routines.
5. Changing to shoes with good support and heel cushioning.
Other conservative treatments include : cortisone injections, oral anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and night splints.
Surgery
When conservative treatment fails to resolve plantar fasciitis, surgery is indicated. Fortunately, the days of removing heel spurs, or even cutting the plantar fascia are over. The doctors Foot & Ankle perform the Topaz procedure. Tiny punctures replace an incision over the affected portion of the plantar fascia. A thin radiofrequency “wand” is inserted into each puncture, and radiofrequency energy is used to remove small amounts of tissue from the fascia. This stimulates the body to heal the fascia, along with the fasciitis. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes about 15 minutes. If you are a candidate for the Topaz “micro-fasciotomy”, your doctor will give you a detailed explanation of the surgery and its post-operative course.
Plantar Fasciitis : a Real Pain in the Heel
It’s seen in men and women, the elderly and the young, the athlete and couch potato. So what is it and what to do?
Lately, Antonio Gates, the future Hall of Fame tight end for the San Diego Chargers, has been felled by this common, yet potentially complex problem. Having already missed several games near the end of last season, he now has missed several more games so far this year !
What is plantar fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue starting at the base of the heel and splaying out, like the branches of a tree, toward the toes. It is made of collagen fibers similar to a tendon and helps support the arch. So it takes significant strain all day long.
Most of us over 30 have felt some of its symptoms at the bottom of the heel. The pain is usually worse first thing in the morning with the first steps of the day or after one has been sitting for some time and then stands up.
As the sufferer warms up the pain dulls down, but may not go away completely. Surprisingly, the symptoms are generally self-limited and go away on their own. The big question is when ? For some, it may be just a few days. But for others, it may be as long as a year !
A plantar fascia tear can occur, with the fascia’s attachment to the heel tearing away completely. While this may actually stimulate healing, this can take a long time and requires extended immobilization.
The pathology seems to be an area usually near the origin of the plantar fascia at the heel that has micro-tears with inflammation. This can occasionally end up with a poorly organized scar tissue deposition in the area leading to chronic problems.
Plantar fasciitis treatment
Generally, treatment is non-operative. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), stretches of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, night splints (for prolonged stretching while asleep), and custom orthotics to support the arch and plantar fascia can be quite helpful. Be sure to talk to your pharmacist before purchasing anti-inflammatories as these medications may be contraindicated as they may interact with other medications and medical conditions.
Steroid shots to the area of pain can provide quick relief by acting as an anti-inflammatory right to the site of the pain. But there is a possibility that they may actually prevent true recovery by decreasing the inflammation needed for healing, causing atrophy and tearing of the plantar fascia.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), drawn from the patient’s own blood, may be a safer and more effective option to stimulate true healing but more research is needed before it should be used routinely.
Surgery involves a partial release of the plantar fascia using a small scope and knife blade, essentially injuring the area to stimulate healing. However, this too can have side effects, and should be a last option.
So what happened to Antonio Gates last year and now this year ? There has not been much information put out in the press other than foot pain. But, it is clear this is more complicated than a standard case of plantar fasciitis.
He was having trouble early last season, while recovering from a left toe injury. This was probably putting increased pressure on his right foot. In October of last year it was reported he had a plantar fascia tear, which can be difficult to recover from.
Sometimes, when the plantar fascia is completely torn (or cut on purpose in surgery) there is a subtle arch drop that leads to a troublesome pain on the outer aspect of the foot (lateral column syndrome). This pain may take up to six weeks to resolve in a walking boot. I suspect this may have happened to him.
He tried playing through it, but was shut down in December and rested it through the offseason. It has been reported that he has now torn the scar tissue and is probably out another couple of weeks.
In a high-level athlete like Gates, it may be something that comes and goes for the rest of his life. It’s the worst feeling in the world, Gates had said last year. Sometimes you feel your career is coming to an end !
A strong ligament called the plantar fascia (Figure 1) extends from the heel bone to the toes. When the foot flattens, the plantar fascia becomes taut. It stretches, and begins to pull away from the heel. This causes pain. Over time, the pulling stimulates the heel bone to produce a heel spur (Figure 2). The heel spur itself is usually not the cause of the pain.
Treatment
Most of our patients gain relief from conservative treatments which include :
1. Icing and stretching exercises performed daily.
2. Taping the foot in a manner that relaxes the plantar fascia by controlling pronation (flattening).
3. Orthotics (custom supports) to relax the plantar fascia by controlling pronation.
4. Modification of exercise routines.
5. Changing to shoes with good support and heel cushioning.
Other conservative treatments include : cortisone injections, oral anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and night splints.
Surgery
When conservative treatment fails to resolve plantar fasciitis, surgery is indicated. Fortunately, the days of removing heel spurs, or even cutting the plantar fascia are over. The doctors Foot & Ankle perform the Topaz procedure. Tiny punctures replace an incision over the affected portion of the plantar fascia. A thin radiofrequency “wand” is inserted into each puncture, and radiofrequency energy is used to remove small amounts of tissue from the fascia. This stimulates the body to heal the fascia, along with the fasciitis. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes about 15 minutes. If you are a candidate for the Topaz “micro-fasciotomy”, your doctor will give you a detailed explanation of the surgery and its post-operative course.
Plantar Fasciitis : a Real Pain in the Heel
It’s seen in men and women, the elderly and the young, the athlete and couch potato. So what is it and what to do?
Lately, Antonio Gates, the future Hall of Fame tight end for the San Diego Chargers, has been felled by this common, yet potentially complex problem. Having already missed several games near the end of last season, he now has missed several more games so far this year !
What is plantar fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue starting at the base of the heel and splaying out, like the branches of a tree, toward the toes. It is made of collagen fibers similar to a tendon and helps support the arch. So it takes significant strain all day long.
Most of us over 30 have felt some of its symptoms at the bottom of the heel. The pain is usually worse first thing in the morning with the first steps of the day or after one has been sitting for some time and then stands up.
As the sufferer warms up the pain dulls down, but may not go away completely. Surprisingly, the symptoms are generally self-limited and go away on their own. The big question is when ? For some, it may be just a few days. But for others, it may be as long as a year !
A plantar fascia tear can occur, with the fascia’s attachment to the heel tearing away completely. While this may actually stimulate healing, this can take a long time and requires extended immobilization.
The pathology seems to be an area usually near the origin of the plantar fascia at the heel that has micro-tears with inflammation. This can occasionally end up with a poorly organized scar tissue deposition in the area leading to chronic problems.
Plantar fasciitis treatment
Generally, treatment is non-operative. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), stretches of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, night splints (for prolonged stretching while asleep), and custom orthotics to support the arch and plantar fascia can be quite helpful. Be sure to talk to your pharmacist before purchasing anti-inflammatories as these medications may be contraindicated as they may interact with other medications and medical conditions.
Steroid shots to the area of pain can provide quick relief by acting as an anti-inflammatory right to the site of the pain. But there is a possibility that they may actually prevent true recovery by decreasing the inflammation needed for healing, causing atrophy and tearing of the plantar fascia.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), drawn from the patient’s own blood, may be a safer and more effective option to stimulate true healing but more research is needed before it should be used routinely.
Surgery involves a partial release of the plantar fascia using a small scope and knife blade, essentially injuring the area to stimulate healing. However, this too can have side effects, and should be a last option.
So what happened to Antonio Gates last year and now this year ? There has not been much information put out in the press other than foot pain. But, it is clear this is more complicated than a standard case of plantar fasciitis.
He was having trouble early last season, while recovering from a left toe injury. This was probably putting increased pressure on his right foot. In October of last year it was reported he had a plantar fascia tear, which can be difficult to recover from.
Sometimes, when the plantar fascia is completely torn (or cut on purpose in surgery) there is a subtle arch drop that leads to a troublesome pain on the outer aspect of the foot (lateral column syndrome). This pain may take up to six weeks to resolve in a walking boot. I suspect this may have happened to him.
He tried playing through it, but was shut down in December and rested it through the offseason. It has been reported that he has now torn the scar tissue and is probably out another couple of weeks.
In a high-level athlete like Gates, it may be something that comes and goes for the rest of his life. It’s the worst feeling in the world, Gates had said last year. Sometimes you feel your career is coming to an end !
