Heel Pain is a common foot problem that affects millions of Americans every day. Years of wear and tear, an abnormal gait, excess weight, poor-fitting shoes or a foot injury can cause stress on your foot, which can then lead to inflammation, redness and swelling. The most frequent cause of heel pain is inflammation of the plantar fasciitis, a thick, dense band of tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. When the stress is too much, this tissue can stretch and tear, causing inflammation, irritation and pain under the heel. Do I have Plantar Fasciitis? Flat feet, high arches, poor fitting footwear, weight gain and running can all contribute the plantar fasciitis, and this condition is especially common among athletes who run and jump frequently. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include a shooting pain in the heel, with pain being worse in the morning or after long periods of resting. Pain generally decreases during the course of the day as the foot becomes more limber, but returns once activities are completed. Conservative Treatment for Heel Pain You can reduce the strain and stress on the plantar fascia with these simple tips: Stretch: Stretching exercises can help ease pain and assist with recovery Ice: Icing your heel each day helps reduce inflammation Rest: Take a break from physical activities to give your heel a rest Shoe modifications: Wear supportive shoes that have good arch support Anti-Inflammatory: As recommended by your podiatrist, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation If the heel pain persists, see your podiatrist and foot surgeon in Memphis for a more advanced treatment, such as: Padding: Shoe pads can soften the impact of walking Orthotics: Custom orthotic devices can help correct the underlying structural abnormalities causing your heel pain Splint: Wearing a night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia while your sleep, which may help reduce commonly experienced morning pain Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation for Chronic Heel Pain When conservative treatments aren't successful, your Memphis podiatrist may recommend a more advanced course of action. For severe cases of chronic heel pain, Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation (RFNA) via the NeuroTherm NT-250 radiofrequency generator may be a viable alternative for relieving your heel pain. This new, advanced therapy involves directing radio waves to the affected heel to destroy the affected nerve's ability to transmit pain. Unlike extensive surgery, RFNA is minimally-invasive and is performed in-office in about 15 minutes with a local anesthetic. The procedure has shown to be very successful, with a 92% success rate for complete pain relief following the treatment. Additionally, the procedure has also been effective for treating neuromas and nerve entrapments. Heel pain affects millions of individuals, but it doesn't have to be a lifelong condition. If you are one of many that experience heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, talk to your podiatrist in Memphis and find out what treatments are best for you.
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