Heel spur
Heel pain is one of the most commonly presented and treated foot complaints within Greg Robinson's podiatry practice.
Very commonly, heel pain is produced by a strain of the plantar fascia - a long, thin non-elastic ligament along the bottom of the foot extending from the heel bone, splitting and fanning out to attach to the toes. If the plantar fascia is overstretching or overused inflammation and “microscopic tearing” to the structure can occur resulting in pain in the heel and/ or arch area of the foot.
When the condition is long-standing, traction at the origin of the ligament (at the heel bone) can produce growth of bone (a sharp thorn), in the direction of pull, this is often seen as a "spur" on x-ray.
The heel spur can be asymptomatic, the pain arises from the inflammation of the plantar fascia.
X-rays maybe required ruling out other causes of heel pain such as fracture or tumour.
Very commonly, heel pain is produced by a strain of the plantar fascia - a long, thin non-elastic ligament along the bottom of the foot extending from the heel bone, splitting and fanning out to attach to the toes. If the plantar fascia is overstretching or overused inflammation and “microscopic tearing” to the structure can occur resulting in pain in the heel and/ or arch area of the foot.
When the condition is long-standing, traction at the origin of the ligament (at the heel bone) can produce growth of bone (a sharp thorn), in the direction of pull, this is often seen as a "spur" on x-ray.
The heel spur can be asymptomatic, the pain arises from the inflammation of the plantar fascia.
X-rays maybe required ruling out other causes of heel pain such as fracture or tumour.
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Causes
Plantar fasciitis strains resulting in heel spur formation over time can occur due to:
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Symptoms
The major complaint of plantar fasciitis is pain and stiffness in the heel and foot. The pain associated with this condition becomes more intense:
Treatment
Greg will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination of your foot as well as a thorough biomechanical examination. This will include a static and dynamic video and pressure plate gait analysis of how you stand and walk.
X-ray may be ordered in order to diagnose the presence of a heel spur.
Greg will discuss a custom treatment plan with you.
Treatment often consists of combination therapy, most importantly is supporting the arch and heel with custom
functional orthotics to keep the ligament from overstretching
The major complaint of plantar fasciitis is pain and stiffness in the heel and foot. The pain associated with this condition becomes more intense:
- In the morning when you step out of bed and first steps are taken
- Walking after sitting or standing
- Climbing stairs
- After exercise
- With high impact weight-bearing activities.
Treatment
Greg will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination of your foot as well as a thorough biomechanical examination. This will include a static and dynamic video and pressure plate gait analysis of how you stand and walk.
X-ray may be ordered in order to diagnose the presence of a heel spur.
Greg will discuss a custom treatment plan with you.
Treatment often consists of combination therapy, most importantly is supporting the arch and heel with custom
functional orthotics to keep the ligament from overstretching
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In brief, treatment may consist of the following -
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