HEEL PAIN
What is a Heel Spur?
A heel spur is a bone growth on the heel bone resulting from chronic overstretching of the plantar fascia, the ligament on the bottom of the foot which supports the arch. The plantar fascia attaches to the bottom of the heel bone and usually surrounds the area of the spur. When you have heel pain it is due to swelling of the tissue around the spur, not the presence of the spur. The spur will not go away, but with proper treatment the pain will go away once the swelling is resolved. The board-certified podiatrists at American Foot & Leg Specialists will work with you to diagnose the cause of your heel pain and recommend a course of treatment.
Heel Pain in the Morning
Heel pain in the morning is associated with both plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. If the arch is not supported well throughout the day, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed due to the fatiguing and overstretching. During sleep time the tissue relaxes and contracts so when you get up in the morning and stand, the tissue will be stressed by your normal body weight. This causes pain in the heel region.
Heel Pain and Heel Spur Treatment
At American Foot & Leg Specialists, the starting point for any heel pain treatment is reducing the swelling with anti-inflammatory medication and ice therapy. The next step is learning how and when to stretch and ice down the tissue. Finally, providing support for the plantar fascia ligament allows it to rest and not become chronically over fatigued or overstretched. In some resistant cases, cortisone injections are used when the swelling and pain does not improve. Good results are achieved 95-98% of the time by following these treatment plans.
schedule a consultation today!
American Foot and Leg Specialists draws patients from all over the Atlanta area. Our 4 locations in Stockbridge, Forest Park, Fayetteville, and Locust Grove, are just short drive from Midtown, Buckhead, East Point, College Park, Riverdale, Jonesboro, Irondale, McDonough, and Peachtree City. Schedule a consultation today to eliminate your foot and ankle problems.
