Heel Pain

Heel pain can and is very bothersome and life altering for many who are afflicted. Heel pain can range from mild to debilitating. The nature of the pain can be a dull aching, stabbing, sharp shooting to tearing type pain.

Nerve pain is usually characterized by the burning and shooting pain. I would recommend if you have this type of pain to see a Podiatrist asap. Resolving nerve pain can be tricky. Most over-the-counter devices will not help this. You'll just be giving away your hard earned money.

The most common aliment of the heel is the dreaded plantar fascitis(PF) or better known as "heel spur syndrome". You don't have to have a bone spur to have this pain. The typical complaint of PF is pain upon first steps in the morning or after sitting and getting back up again. The pain does dissipate some after you stretch it out by walking or moving about. Stretching the bottom of your foot can really help reduce your symptoms. Over-the-counter inserts that have a hard support to them are a much better choice then a soft cushion. Its kind of like putting a little cast under your foot. Wearing sneakers with good support and icing are also recommended treatments. If you have tried these things and your pain is persisting -- GET HELP from a Podiatrist. The longer you have this pain the HARDER it is to get better. Podiatrists can give you proper conservative care such as: orthotics, stretching exercises, medications, cortisone injections, physical therapy, cold laser therapy.
Usually about 90% of heel pain patients respond to conservative treatments. NO ONE should have surgery on their PF unless they have failed all conservative treatments. And NO ONE should even consider surgery until you have have treatment for at least 6 months.
So that leaves 10% of patients looking for alternatives. One option is to have an open surgical procedure to cut the ligament. Risks of infection, scarring with nerve entrapment and recurrence of original pain and the possibility of increased pain. Another option is CRYOSURGERY. This is performed in the doctors office. Risks are minimal: including infection. Downtime after the procedure is minimal and you can walk on your foot right away. If your interested in learning more about cryosurgery --you can google it or visit our website: FOOTHEALTHMA.com. At the Foot Health Center we do perform this procedure and it has been very successful.
Well, I could go on and on about heel pain. But I don't want to bore you to death.

On a personal note, its is snowing like crazy here today. I think the winter season needs to come to a halt so that all the golfers out there can start playing. Vacation can't come soon enough. For now - have a really nice day.