Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis - Foot Pain nightmare

It is our feet that caries the whole weight of our body, so there can be some or the other type of problem that can arise out of the damage or injury caused to the foot muscles. Most of the foot problems are very painful and can be a cause of real worry and unbearable pain.

 

Plantar Fasciitis or the popular Heel spur is a medical condition of the foot where there is a lot of damage to the muscles of the foot. A person suffering from heel spur experiences tremendous pain in the base of the foot because of the overstretching or tearing of the muscles in the base of the foot or plantar fascia. This problem is mainly seen in the people who use their feet for some athletic or other rigorous activities. In this article we are going to go into the details of the problem and look at its various aspects and also modes o treatment.    
 

In the problem of heel spur or Plantar Fasciitis, a person suffers from intolerable pain in the heel's base due to inflammation of the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Heel spur does not happen overnight and instead is the result of continuous overstretching and tearing of the tissues. The pain is excruciating and it is at its peak during first step in the morning.

Some of the most common symptoms of heel spur are the following:

  • a) Intolerable pain at the base of the heel.
  • b) Pain is at its peak in the morning
  • c) Pain after a long walk or exercise
  • d) Swelling in the heel or adjoining areas.

One cannot expect to get cured from the problem overnight but has to undergo regular treatment for a longer period of time. Doctors avoid the use of medicines or pain killers because they cannot provide permanent solution of the problem. Besides, most of the doctors are weary of the side effects arising out of painkiller use.  Heel spur or Plantar Fasciitis can be treated permanently by using night splints, insoles and other equipments that help to keep the foot muscles stretched and provide support to the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.  

The night splints helps to cure the problem by stretching the foot muscles throughout the night and also support the ankle. This helps to reduce the problem gradually and without any side effects. The insoles also provide biomechanical support to the foot muscles. The liquid or the gel present in the liquid insoles helps to relax and massage the foot muscles thus bringing down the pain slowly and steadily.

Heel spur is not a problem that can be solved easily but requires a little patience.