Heel Pain?

What Does Heel Pain Feel Like? Is This Normal?

No, this is not normal. Foot pain is never normal.

Plantar Fasciitis ( or heel pain ) is very common. It feels like a dull ache most of the time, but when the patient first gets out of bed in the morning, or when getting up after sitting for a period of time during the day, the pain in the heel is impressive. It almost feels like the heel has been bruised, from falling on a rock barefoot, but it is worse.

Plantar Fasciitis (or heel pain) is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. It is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. There is a tight ligament that stretches across the arch, from the ball of the foot to the heel bone, called the Plantar Fascia. When we walk, our feet have a tendency to roll inward, toward each other, in a moth that we call pronation. When feet pronate, they flatten, stretch out and the arch elongates. This causes excessive pulling on the Plantar Fascia ligament and attachment of the ligament to the heel bone begins to separate. An injury occurs where the ligament progressively tears off of the heel, fiber by fiber. Bleeding occurs next to the bone and inflammatory fluids accumulate between the ligament and the bone, forming a Bursitis, or fluid-filled sack.

Over time, the body lays down scar tissue, in an attempt to "glue" the detached ligament fibers back on to the bottom of the heel bone.  Over the course of 3-5 years the scar tissues calcifies and this calcium deposit eventually becomes visible in x-rays as the heel spur. This inflammation of this Plantar fascia ligament is called Plantar Fasciitis, and in addition to the Bursitis, is what causes pain.

If you experience heel pain give Eastern Shore Foot Center a call. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Braun today and find out your options to alleviate pain. 251-626-5065. Visit our website, www.easternshorefootcenter.com