Heel Pain
Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain is the single most common reason that patients seek out the care of podiatric physicians.
Estimates are that more than 15 million Americans, or 1 in 10 adults, may suffer with heel pain.
Most heel pain is a mechanical tension overload of the plantar fascia with symptoms of prominent morning pain and heel pain upon arising after periods of rest or sitting.
Obesity and poor shoes (flip-flops) or going barefoot definitely play a role.
Most patients will improve with relatively simple treatment measures that include: good supportive shoes (We recommend Merrell shoes), avoidance of going barefoot (even at home), stretching, and at times anti-inflammatory medication, and local injection. Orthotic devices and night splints are helpful and most people will respond without surgery. Less than 5% of patients with plantar fasciitis will require surgical management.
