The most common cause of heel or arch pain is actually caused by a painful stretching or micro-tearing of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a fibrous or tendon-like structure that courses along the bottom of the foot connecting the toes and calcaneus or heel bone. During normal conditions, the fascia is flexible and strong. However due to factors such as abnormal stress, excessive weight, age, or improper foot support, the fascia can become weakened, irritated or inflamed. If the foot flattens excessively or becomes unstable at critical times during the gait cycle, the attachment of the plantar fascia onto the calcaneus may begin to stretch and pull away from the calcaneus. This painful condition is called plantar fasciitis. In addition to plantar fasciitis, after many years, a heel spur may develop on the bottom of the calcaneus.
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Heel spurs are visible on a lateral view x-ray of the foot. X-rays sometimes reveal very large heel spurs that do not produce pain. It is not the bone, but rather the inflammation of the fascia attaching to the heel which causes discomfort.
Heel spurs are visible on a lateral view x-ray of the foot. X-rays sometimes reveal very large heel spurs that do not produce pain. It is not the bone, but rather the inflammation of the fascia attaching to the heel which causes discomfort.•The heel pain or plantar fasciitis is especially noticeable to the patient during the toe-off phase of gait.
The heel pain or plantar fasciitis is especially noticeable to the patient during the toe-off phase of gait.•The onset is gradual, yet most patients report the pain during the first steps on the floor in the morning, or after extended resting periods during the day.
The onset is gradual, yet most patients report the pain during the first steps on the floor in the morning, or after extended resting periods during the day.•The patient may also report having had either a sudden increase in daily activities, an increase in weight or a recent change in footwear.
The patient may also report having had either a sudden increase in daily activities, an increase in weight or a recent change in footwear.Cause
•The most frequent cause is an abnormal or excessive internal motion of the foot.
The most frequent cause is an abnormal or excessive internal motion of the foot.•During resting or non-weight bearing periods, the plantar fascia shortens. When body weight is rapidly applied to the foot, the fascia must stretch and quickly lengthen, causing micro-tears in the fascia.
During resting or non-weight bearing periods, the plantar fascia shortens. When body weight is rapidly applied to the foot, the fascia must stretch and quickly lengthen, causing micro-tears in the fascia.•Hypermobility, (excessive internal motion) of the foot can induce future or coexisting problems involving the knee, hip, sacroiliac joint or the low back region.
Hypermobility, (excessive internal motion) of the foot can induce future or coexisting problems involving the knee, hip, sacroiliac joint or the low back region.Treatment
•Plantar Fasciitis and calcaneal heel spurs, when treated early, are usually controlled with conservative or non-surgical treatment.
Plantar Fasciitis and calcaneal heel spurs, when treated early, are usually controlled with conservative or non-surgical treatment.•Although the development of plantar fasciitis or takes a long time, we only tend to pay attention to it when the pain has become significant. In general, the longer the pain has been present, the longer it takes to resolve.
Although the development of plantar fasciitis or takes a long time, we only tend to pay attention to it when the pain has become significant. In general, the longer the pain has been present, the longer it takes to resolve.• Generous abounts of BioFreeze!
•Although soft heel materials appear to cushion the heel, they do not address the problem of foot support, which initially caused the problem. Therefore, with soft heel cushions, the painful heel tends to return.
Although soft heel materials appear to cushion the heel, they do not address the problem of foot support, which initially caused the problem. Therefore, with soft heel cushions, the painful heel tends to return.•An orthotic should be used to stabilize the foot.
An orthotic should be used to stabilize the foot.•The role of the orthotic in these conditions is to prevent excess pronation and rapid excessive lengthening of the plantar fascia. The orthotic control limits the micro-tearing of the plantar fascia, thereby decreasing the pain.
The role of the orthotic in these conditions is to prevent excess pronation and rapid excessive lengthening of the plantar fascia. The orthotic control limits the micro-tearing of the plantar fascia, thereby decreasing the pain.•In addition to the use of foot orthotics, steroid (cortisone) injections, changing shoes, foot taping, and mild stretching exercises are also helpful. Significant weight reduction also helps, but often being overweight is caused by inactivity due to foot pain!
In addition to the use of foot orthotics, steroid (cortisone) injections, changing shoes, foot taping, and mild stretching exercises are also helpful. Significant weight reduction also helps, but often being overweight is caused by inactivity due to foot pain!Heel Pain, Heel Spur, Plantar Fasciitis and Arch Pain
F o o t C o n d i t i o n s
Biofreeze products are providing relief to countless arthritis sufferers. But the pain reliever's unique, cooling formulation is also comforting to sore muscles and muscle sprains; easing back, shoulder and neck pain; reducing painful ankle, knee, hip and elbow joints and helping to lessen effects of
muscular strains.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Every pair of SOLE Custom Footbeds will make your feet feel better. Here's a couple we recommend for plantar fasciitis.
WITHOUT SOLE
When the foot is weight-bearing, a tremendous amount of force is concentrated on the plantar fascia, similar to the string on a bow. This pressure leads to stress on the tissue that results in small tears and inflammation.
WITH SOLE
The orthopedic shape of SOLE has been proven to help relieve plantar fasciitis. Because SOLE footbeds and sandals are moldable, they provide a continous contact point across the entire length and width of your foot. This supports the longitudinal arch of the foot and reduces the pressure on the plantar fascia.
