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Pain on the bottom of the heel is most
often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called
heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Heel pain may also be due to other
causes, such as a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or,
rarely, a cyst. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to
have heel pain properly diagnosed.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia)
that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first
becomes irritated and then inflamed-resulting in heel pain.
The symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
are:
- Pain on the bottom of the heel
- Pain that is usually worse upon
arising
- Pain that increases over a period of
months
People with plantar fasciitis often
describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they've been
sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain
decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain
subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the
foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches-either overly flat
feet or high-arched feet-are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis.
Tightness in the Achilles' tendon and calf muscles are also major contributing
factors.
Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on
the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly
evident when a person's job requires long hours on their feet. Obesity also
contributes to plantar fasciitis.
Diagnosis
To arrive at a diagnosis, Dr. Corrigan will obtain your medical history and
examine your foot. Throughout this process he rules out all the possible causes
for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis.
In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays and diagnostic ultrasound
may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel
spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs rarely cause
pain. It is important to remember that heel spurs are a result of plantar
fasciitis and it's associated pain, not the cause of the pain. When they are
present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome.
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