Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs Can Keep You from Doing the Things You Enjoy

Why Feet Can Hurt

The human body is extraordinarily amazing; they are the perfect balance of fluids, hormones, muscles, and bone tissue. Unique cushioning is present in our joints and at vital regions in the body where weight-bearing pressure points occur. But when this fragile combination is disrupted by ailments or sudden injury, the result can be terrible pain. Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are 2 conditions of the feet that can cause a complete lack of mobility.

The Reasons You May Have Heel Spurs or Plantar Fasciitis

A heel bone spur is a pointed outgrowth of bone that grow out of the heel bone (calcaneus). They can be located either underneath or on the rear of the heel. When a heel bone spur is present, it can cause swelling and ripping of the softer foot tissues, which is worsened with regular activity or when pressure is placed on the affected foot. When the bony growth is located behind the heel, it can aggravate the Achilles tendon and cause pain and inflammation in that region. MedicineNet reports on their site that pushing off the bottom of the foot makes this certain condition worse. Alternatively, when the heel spur is located under the heel, it irritates the plantar fascia ligament, thus causing a condition called plantar fasciitis. MedicineNet describes this ailment as being more of a problem when standing or walking.

The Reasons You May Have Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Medical findings suggest that heel spurs can have genetic ties. the majority of cases are because of motion that is repeated and overextension of the plantar fascia tissue due to athletic activity, and can also develop as the result of heavy lifting. Plantar-Fasciitis.org reports that arthritis or diabetes can make it more likely for someone to develop either of these problems. They warn that shoes that are too tight can also cause painful foot problems.

Treatment Options for Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

The objectives in treatment of these injuries are to decrease the soft tissue swelling and tendon irritation as well as avoid re-injury. According to foot specialist Dr. William Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, this can be achieved in several ways:

• Regular applications of ice on the affected regions
• Use of anti-inflammatory medicines
• Use of the best foot arch support available to realign the foot and take pressure off of the affected areas
• Appropriately-cushioned shoes
• The use of circular shoe inserts for the heel
• Last resort is an operation to remove the heel spur to allow for tissue and tendon healing