Heel Pain

Heel pain is something we treat on a regular basis in our clinic, and it affects a big percentage of the population. People frequently hear many views about what is causing their pain and what treatment they should undergo to relieve their symptoms. The most common types of heel pain, as well as how they develop and treatment options, are discussed in this article.

The most frequent type of heel pain we treat in clinic is plantar fasciitis. When the thick fascial band that runs from the base of our heels to the base of our toes becomes overloaded, this pain occurs. The attachment of this band, which originates on the underside of our heel, is most usually inflamed as a result of increased forces going through it. This intense pain is felt near the base of the heel and is most uncomfortable first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity, but it usually lessens with exercise as the tissue heats up. However, this issue progresses to the point where heel discomfort is felt at the start of action, then continues throughout the activity and thereafter. Poor calf flexibility (limiting movement of foot and toes upward); weight gain; high arches; inappropriate footwear (poor arch support); prolonged barefoot standing or walking; weakened foot muscles; sudden increase in activity; and high impact activity (running/jumping) are the most common causes of this syndrome.

The use of ultrasonic therapy to treat chronic plantar fasciitis has been proven to be successful. The development of new blood vessels, promotion of local collagen, reversal of chronic inflammation, and dissolving of calcium deposits have all been demonstrated to benefit from the high-energy sonic pulses supplied during treatment.

Plantar fasciitis can lead to heel spurs if left untreated for a long time. The body will try to mend the damaged tissue using fibroblastic activity (soft collagen tissue development) for the first six weeks following the injury, but after that time frame, osteoblastic activity (bone building) may occur. Bone spurs may form slowly over the next few months at this site of chronic inflammation. Heel spurs can also develop as a result of a single compression trauma, such as landing hard on the heel, or from repeated forceful trauma to the heels.