Heel Pain Treatment - Doctor in Kansas City, MO and Overland Park, KS

 

Heel Pain Treatment - Doctor 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.



Visit our website: http://www.kcfootcare.com

Heel Pain-- Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

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

We use the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spur interchangeably for heel type pain. There are numerous structures connected to the heel bone. The main structures are the plantar fascia and plantar muscles. As we walk or run the arch flattens to absorb the body's weight, triggering tension on the fascia and pulling away of the heel bone, causing a bone spur. It typically takes years to establish spurs. Pain in the heel can be brought on by the bone, fascia or heel nerve.

Poor fitting shoes can exacerbate the pain. You need to use well cushioned and helpful shoes with great lateral support.

Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs

The pain can be centrally located in the heel or arch it can be even 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 caused 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 caused by the nerve on the side of the heel.

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs Heel spurs are triggered by swelling at the insertion of the plantar fascia into the heel bone. 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 substantially decrease the pain from the injection. If nerve pain is present that triggers shooting pain at rest, this can be treated with dehydrated alcohol injections to damage the painful area of the nerve.

As we begin treatment it's essential to support the arch with an OTC arch support, covering the arch with recyclable covers or coban. When treating long term, Custom Orthotics are typically the very best option. They are built from a flexible plastic material and can made to fit both health club and gown shoes.

If heel pain is excruciating or continues after conservative treatment, new treatments are available-- PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections or Shockwave Therapy. Surgical treatment today is unusual but, if necessary after all treatments, it is typically successful.

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

The pain with first actions in the morning and after rest is caused by pulling of the fascia and plantar muscles off of the heel bone. Heel spurs are triggered by inflammation at the insertion of the plantar fascia into the heel bone. Heel pain can be lowered by utilizing trigger point injections of a mild steroid from the side of the foot with a cold spray to numb the skin to substantially minimize the pain from the injection.