HEEL PAIN

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common painful foot condition that causes heel pain. Plantar Fasciitis is due to irritation and inflammation of the ligament that forms the arch of the foot.

What is PLANTAR FASCIITIS?

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascial ligament that starts at the heel and goes along the bottom of the foot. It attaches to each of the bones that form the ball of the foot. The Plantar Fascia works like a rubber band between the heel and the ball of the foot to form the arch of the foot.   A pad of fat in the heel covers the Plantar Fascia to help absorb the shock of walking. Damage to the Plantar Fascia can be a cause of heel pain.
What causes the heel pain?
As a person gets older the plantar Fascia becomes less like a rubber band and more like a rope that does not stretch very well. The fat pad on the heel becomes thinner and can’t absorb as much of the shock caused by walking and being active. The extra shock damages the Plantar Fascia and may cause it to swell, tear, or bruise. You may even notice swelling and or bruising on the heel.

How will I know if my pain is caused by Plantar Fasciitis?

If you have pain in your heel when you stand up for the first time in the morning, you may have Plantar Fasciitis. Most people with Plantar Fasciitis say the pain is like a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of the foot or heel. After you have been standing for a while, the pain becomes more a dull ache. If you sit down for any length of time, the sharp pain will come back when you stand up again. Examination by Dr. Esther Lyon, DPM will confirm the diagnosis and then treatment can begin.
What can I do about the Heel Pain?
Custom made orthotics prescribed by your podiatrist
Cut back on walking or running
If you are overweight, losing weight can help lessen the pain
If you job involves standing on a hard surface, place some type of padding on the floor where you stand
Avoid flat shoes and bare feet
Stretching exercises for the feet are important. (Ask the doctor for stretching exercises)
Physical Therapy
What if your feet still hurt after taking these measures?
If your pain is severe and or conservative care is not sufficient Dr. Lyon can suggest other treatments. 
Dr. Esther Lyon, DPM is a heel pain specialist and who typically uses a less invasive option called Cryo-surgery to treat chronic and or severe heel pain. Dr. Esther Lyon, DPM is one of the leading Cryo-surgeons of the foot and ankle.
What is Cryo-surgery?
Cryo-surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and is often preferred to more than traditional kinds of surgery because Cryo-surgery has minimal pain, scaring, and down time. In most cases where cryo-surgery is used to treat heel pain, the results are usually permanent relief.
Dr. Esther Lyon, DPM is one of the few heel pain specialists nationwide performing the Cryo-surgery procedure for pain relief of the foot, ankle, and heel. Foot Cryo-surgery is a procedure utilizing controlled cooling temperatures.  The cryo surgical procedure creates a nerve block by stopping the pain of tiny sensory nerve tissue.

Foot, ankle, and or heel Cryo-surgery indications:
-Heel Pain
-Neuromas
-Arthritis heel pain
-Neuropathy
-Plantar Fibroma
-General foot, ankle, or heel pain

Advantages to foot, ankle, or heel Cryo-surgery:
-Minimally invasive procedure
-Walking the day of procedure
-Minimal down time from work/activities
                               Call Today to schedule an appointment
                                           Lyon Foot & Ankle Clinic, PC
                                      www.LyonFootandAnkleClinic.net