HEEL BONE PAIN AND HEEL PAIN CAUSES. HEEL PAIN TREATMENTS, HEEL PAIN EXERCISES FOR HEEL PAIN IN MORNING AND AFTER REST. Plantar Fasciitis the Cause?

By Dr. Esther Lyon D.P.M.

Heel pain causes many patients to needlessly limp for months. Effective heel pain treatments are available for heel pain, commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis.

Heel pain in the morning? How about heel bone pain when you stand after sitting or resting for a few minutes? More people needlessly suffer from heel pain than any other foot ailment. Fortunately, much can be done to alleviate this heel pain. Patients often have heel pain first thing in the morning or after getting up to stand after sitting. The heel pain can be a sharp, searing pain or present as a tearing feeling in the bottom of the heel. As the condition progresses there may be a throbbing pain after getting off your feet or a soreness that radiates up the back of the leg or arch of the foot.

To understand the cause of the heel pain one must understand the anatomy of the foot, the heel bone, the ligament structure and some basic mechanics in the function of the foot. A thick ligament, called the plantar fascial ligament helps form the arch of the foot. The plantar fascial ligament attaches from the heel bone to the ball of the foot, providing the supportive architecture for our feet.

The plantar fascial ligament is made of dense, fibrous connective tissue that will stretch very little. It act something like a shock absorber. As the foot impacts the ground with each step, it flattens out lengthening the foot. This action pulls on the plantar fascia, which stretches slightly. When the heel comes off the ground during walking or running the tension on the ligament is released.

Anything that causes the foot to flatten excessively will cause the plantar fascia to stretch greater than it is accustomed to doing. One consequence of this is the development of small tears where the ligament attaches to the heel bone. As the foot overpronates during walking the excessive tension on the plantar fascial ligament causes tears from its attachment into the heel bone.

Excessive flattening of the arch is termed pronation. If there is excessive pronation of the foot during walking or standing, the plantar fascial ligament is strained. Over time, this will cause a weakening of the ligament where it attaches into the heel bone, causing pain. When a person is at rest and off their feet, the plantar fascial ligament attempt to mend itself. Then, with the first few steps the ligament re-tears, causing pain. A cycle of pain is begun. If you find yourself with this cycle of pain, it is time to have it addressed. Chronic inflammation of the heel may result if this condition goes untreated.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of heel pain is made by a thorough history of the course of the condition and by a physical examination. Weight bearing x-rays are useful in determining if a spur is present and to rule out rare causes of heel pain such as a stress fracture of the heel bone, the presence of bone tumors. A sonogram is utilized to look at the soft tissue structures around the heel and measures the inflamed tissues.

Treatment
A newer treatment called cryoablation has assisted many patients with heel pain. These procedures allow the patient able to walk the same day.

If your heel pain has become too much to bare, it is time to take a closer look. The good news is that heel pain can often be relieved quickly and with little discomfort to get patients back on their feet. Foot and ankle pain is our specialty.

Dr. Esther Lyon is a Board Certified Podiatrist by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. She practices in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The four offices are located in Lombard, Warrenville, Wood Dale, and Elgin. Dr. Lyon and her staff are well known for their expertise and kindness. Caring about patients is priority number one.

Dr. Esther Lyon treats foot and ankle pain, with heel pain being the most common ailment treated. We treat patients in the Western Suburbs of Chicago including Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Addison, Bartlett, West Chicago, Naperville, Aurora, North Aurora, South Elgin, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Westmont and Carol Stream.

CALL LYON FOOT & ANKLE CLINIC AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY: (630) 495-1240.