Our Services
Heel Pain Care
Symptoms of heel pain | Causes | Risk factors | Conservative treatment | Pediatric foot & ankle care
Many people wake up to stabbing, pulling or burning pain in their heels and/or arches. This pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis, a fairly common condition, is often accompanied by one or more heel spurs.
Patients frequently feel heel pain upon waking because the plantar fascia relaxes overnight. Once the foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or rising from a seated position.
In many cases, our patients can overcome heel pain without surgery or other invasive treatments. At Step Lively Foot & Ankle Centers in Columbus, Ohio, we also educate our patients about the steps they can take to prevent heel pain from recurring. For more information, visit our podiatry location nearest you in Columbus, Gahanna, Dublin, Reynoldsburg or Canal Winchester, Ohio!
Symptoms of heel pain
Heel pain usually develops gradually, but it can also occur suddenly and be severe. Although it can affect both feet, it more often occurs in one foot at a time. Some of the symptoms of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs include:
- Sharp pain in the inside part of the bottom of the heel, which may feel like a knife sticking in the bottom of the foot
- Heel pain that tends to be worse with the first steps patients take after waking, when climbing stairs or when standing on tiptoes
- Heel pain after long periods of standing or after rising from a seated position
- Heel pain after exercising
- Swelling in the heel
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Causes
Under normal circumstances, the plantar fascia acts like a shock-absorbing “bowstring,” supporting the arch in the foot. But if tension on that bowstring becomes too great, it can create small tears in the fascia. Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed.
Plantar fasciitis can be caused by too much physical activity, arthritis, diabetes, faulty foot mechanics (flatfootedness, high arches or an abnormal gait pattern) and improper shoes (including shoes that are thin-soled, loose, tight, worn-out or lacking arch support).
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Risk factors
The risk of developing plantar fasciitis increases if patients are:
- Active in sports
- Flatfooted or have high arches
- Middle-aged or older
- Overweight
- Pregnant
- Standing for extended periods
- Wearing poorly-fitting shoes
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Conservative treatment
For many people, the condition improves within days of beginning conservative treatment. Nonsurgical treatments include taping, medication, orthotics, bracing and splinting. Wearing a splint fitted to the calf and foot while the patient sleeps holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight so that they can be stretched more effectively.
Orthoses are custom-fitted to help distribute pressure to the feet more evenly. And working with a physical therapist to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles can stabilize the ankle and heel.
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Pediatric foot & ankle care
At Step Lively Foot & Ankle Centers, we offer everything from prevention and education to diagnosis and treatment for children. Because children are still growing, they require specialized podiatric care. Our board-certified podiatrists can diagnose and treat many children’s foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, flatfeet, high arches, and gait disorders such as intoeing and outtoeing.
In addition to over 50 years’ combined experience and real expertise in foot and ankle surgery and reconstruction, we are dedicated to improving the lives of all patients. We are friendly and accessible and welcome your patients’ questions and concerns.
We encourage, honor and welcome your referrals. Please visit our Patient Education Library to read more about foot & ankle care. To schedule an appointment, call the Step Lively Foot & Ankle Center nearest you, the numbers are at the top of the page or can be found on Contact Us page, or use our Online Appointment Request Form.