Heel Possibilities

You wake up in the morning ready for the start of a new day with new possibilities. Turning over, you step out of bed groggily, ready to get things started when “Ouch!”- a sharp pain ripples through your heel, jolting you awake more quickly than you were expecting. The pain dissipates with a few steps only to return and haunt you later in the day. These signs are a classic description of a very common condition known as “plantar fasciitis” which in turn is probably the most well-known cause of heel pain. However, there are MANY causes of heel pain out there and distinguishing between the possibilities can be a tricky task.
“Plantar fasciitis”-the flagship example noted above-is a mechanical etiology of heel pain resulting when there is inflammation along the plantar fascia which is a fibrous band of connective tissue running along the length of the sole of the foot. Other “mechanical” causes might include a wearing away of the fat pad beneath the heel, an irritated Achilles tendon, bony outgrowths from the heel bone, growth plate disturbances, and other issues.
Certain systemic conditions can also cause joint problems which may result in heel pain. These include a wide variety of conditions such as kidney problems, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gastro-intestinal disorders, and many others. Other potential causes include nerve entrapments, stress fractures, infections, blood-flow problems, tendon ruptures and even tumors.
Needless to say, a sore heel can be an annoying and enigmatic problem. Your podiatrist is an expert at distinguishing between all the potential underlying causes and treatments. He or she can perform a wide variety of revealing diagnostic exams-from the simple to the more complex-to clarify the root cause of the pain in your particular case. Since some of these causes are serious while others are more benign, that information should be valuable to you!

Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com